POLITICS

WCape records seventh death – Alan Winde

Premier says there are 599 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in province

Update by Premier Alan Winde on the coronavirus

12 April 2020

As of 00h01 on 12 April, the Western Cape recorded 599 confirmed cases of COVID-19 infection.

Sub Districts Cape Town Metro:

Sub-district

Cases

Western

186

Southern

138

Northern

28

Tygerberg

48

Eastern

36

Klipfontein

31

Mitchells Plain

11

Khayelitsha

14

Total

492


Sub Districts Non-Metro:

District

 Sub-district

Cases

Garden Route

Bitou

5

Garden Route

Knysna

13

Garden Route

George

13

Garden Route

Hessequa

5

Garden Route

Mossel Bay

19

Garden Route

Oudtshoorn

2

Cape Winelands

Stellenbosch

16

Cape Winelands

Drakenstein

6

Cape Winelands

Breede Valley

6

Cape Winelands

Langeberg

1

Overberg

Overstrand

9

Overberg

Theewaterskloof

1

West Coast

Saldanha Bay Municipality

3

West Coast

Swartland

2

Unallocated: 6

Currently, 24 people who have tested positive for COVID-19 infection are being treated in hospital, with 11 of these receiving care in ICU.

We also recorded the seventh death in the province yesterday- a 61-year old male. We extend our thoughts and condolences to his family and loved ones at this time.

The Western Cape Government is working hard to stop the spread and to save lives.

We are encouraged that the growth in the number of new cases in many of our non-metro areas has been minimal. This is however not a time to relax our effort. Now more than ever, we must stick to regular handwashing and social distancing protocols if and when we leave home. Everyone should be obeying the lockdown regulations so that we can stop the spread.

We encourage the wearing of cloth masks for those going out in public, either to buy food, go to the pharmacy or seek medical care. We, however, remind residents that N95 respirators and surgical masks should be preserved for the frontline medical staff who require this protection.

Cloth masks do not replace the golden rules of good hygiene practices- including regular handwashing and social distancing - which must still be adhered to. Cloth masks must be properly worn and removed. They must also be washed and ironed after every use in order to be most effective in stopping the spread. Avoid touching your mask while wearing it and never touch the inside of the mask.

I would like to extend my gratitude to all of the essential employees who have worked throughout this long weekend. We thank the health care workers, emergency services, police and law enforcement officers, retail workers, agricultural sector workers, social workers, NGOs and all of the other people who sacrificed time at home or with their families over this weekend. We appreciate and value your service.

Issued by Premier Alan Winde, 12 April 2020