As the roll-out of community screening and testing gathers pace, I would like to call on residents in the areas where the service is available to please participate.
I participated in a screening process this morning and would like to encourage all residents who are offered the service to please take part.
The community screening and testing initiative started country-wide on Monday, 6 April 2020 to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in vulnerable communities.
In Cape Town, this is a joint initiative between City Health and its Metro Health Services partners to ensure uniformity in their approach and maximum community reach.
Over the next two weeks, eight City Health facilities across the metropole will be supporting community based screening and testing. These include: St. Vincent Community Day Centre, Gugulethu clinic, Bloekombos clinic, Albow Gardens Community Day Centre, Alphen clinic, Westridge clinic, Town 2 clinic and Kuyasa clinic.
Practically, the community based screening and testing sees Community Health Care Workers going door-to-door, asking residents questions about COVID-19 symptoms. If residents answer yes to certain questions, then they will be referred for COVID-19 testing, either at a clinic or a mobile site. The test is quick and only takes a few minutes. Any person who is tested, is requested to self-isolate until their results are available. Residents who have COVID-19 tests, will receive their results usually within two to three days. In the event that a test is positive, the individual will be advised on the appropriate quarantine measures, and treatment.
Staff are also going through the areas, using loudhailers, to communicate the message around the community-based screening and testing and advising residents on how they can participate.
This week, community-based testing teams will be in the following areas:
Bishop Lavis, Netreg, Valhalla Park, Matroosfontein, Elsiesriver, Leonsdale, Hamonie; Brighton; Scottsdene; Klipheuwel; Fisantekraal; Durbanville; Bothasig; Ilitha park; Town 2 and Philippi.
During the week of 13–16 April, the testing will move to Delft, Belhar, Bloekombos; Klipheuwel, Fisantekraal, Bothasig and Durbanville.
I would like to remind the public that, while the Coronavirus poses a higher risk to persons with other underlying health conditions, the majority of cases present with mild to moderate symptoms that do not necessarily require hospitalisation.
However, it is important to stay away from others should you be infected, to prevent further transmission of the virus.
While the community screening and testing gathers momentum, I would also like to urge the public at large to please continue with the health, hygiene and social distancing protocols that have been advanced to mitigate the spread of Coronavirus:
- Adhere to the lockdown regulations and stay at home
- Leave only to buy essential goods, medication or to seek medical care
- When around others, always observe a physical distance of at least one metre
- Do not touch surfaces, railings and handles unnecessarily
- Wash your hands regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
- Avoid touching your face, mouth, eyes or nose with unwashed hands
- If you have to cough or sneeze, use the crook of your arm or a tissue and dispose of it immediately in a bin
- If you feel sick, please contact the National or Provincial Hotlines on 0800 029 999 or 021 928 4102 or your nearest clinic