The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the Western Cape as of April 11 sits at 567.
In a statement, Western Cape Premier Alan Winde revealed that there are 29 people in hospital who have tested positive for COVID-19, with 12 being cared for in ICU.
Winde also notes that the Western Cape has seen increasing numbers of local transmission.
“We are acting quickly to ensure that where they do occur, we are able to locate and quarantine contacts to stop further spread,” said Winde. “Our community testing efforts will also help us in this regard. We however appeal to people to abide by the rules of the lockdown, and to keep up with regular handwashing and distancing measures to help us in these efforts.”
In his statement, Winde also addressed critique from opposition parties, teacher unions and Cosatu with regards to the feeding scheme the Western Cape government have rolled out at local schools.
“Communities are struggling under the pressure of this global pandemic- many of our residents do not have the ability to earn during the lockdown period and people are already going hungry. Over the past few days, we have fielded in excess of 10 000 calls through our various contact centres, from people desperate for food aid.
“The fact that nearly 100 000 children arrived on the first day of feeding is testament to the massive and growing need for nutritional support and intervention. For many of these children, it is the only meal they will receive each day.
“It is therefore mind boggling and quite frankly shameful that opposition parties, teacher unions and Cosatu in the province are calling for us to end this important humanitarian effort. ”
Winde explains that the feeding scheme is being conducted with strict adult supervision, social distancing and hygiene protocols in place. They are also working closely with SAPS to patrol areas where the feeding occurs.
“The Coronavirus does not just require a medical response, but also a humanitarian one. As we head into an additional two weeks of lockdown, the need will only become greater. The emergency feeding scheme at schools is one of the ways we as the Western Cape Government are working to address this. We call on those criticizing the response to rather work with us to address the most pressing needs of our communities and citizens, and stop playing politics at this challenging time for our province and country.
“This pandemic shows us just how vulnerable so many of our communities are. We must do everything possible to help them during this time. It also shows us that in addition to addressing coronavirus now, we must put equal effort into addressing measures to grow employment numbers and improve the standards of living across the country.”
The Sub Districts Cape Town Metro breakdown is as follows:
Sub-district Cases
– Western 181
– Southern 137
– Northern 28
– Tygerberg 42
– Eastern 25
– Klipfontein 27
– Mitchells Plain 11
– Khayelitsha 12
Total 463
The Sub Districts Non-Metro breakdown is as follows:
District Sub-district Cases
– Garden Route Bitou 5
– Garden Route Knysna 13
– Garden Route George 13
– Garden Route Hessequa 5
– Garden Route Mossel Bay 18
– 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: 4
Picture: Pixabay
