Covid-19: President determined to halt the spread of infection

With 1 326 confirmed cases and three reported deaths, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that South Africa is, “entering a new phase in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic,” during his address of the nation tonight (March 30).

Ten thousand field workers will visit homes in villages, towns and cities in the coming days, as government rolls out large scale screening, testing, tracing and a medical management program to combat the deadly disease.

Health workers will screen residents for symptoms of the coronavirus, and those with symptoms will be referred to local clinics or to mobile clinics for testing. 

“People who are infected with the coronavirus but have no symptoms or moderate symptoms will remain in isolation at home or at a facility provided by government, and those with severe symptoms will be transferred to hospitals,” said President Ramaphosa.

President Ramaphosa further announced the use of mobile technology and an extensive tracing system, which will be used to trace those who have been in contact with confirmed coronavirus cases, and allow government to monitor the geographic location of new cases in real time. 

“This drive is far reaching. It is intensive and unprecedented in scale,” he stated. 

Acknowledging that the 21-day lockdown is an extreme measure, President Ramaphosa also reminded citizens that it is necessary in order to save the lives of tens of thousands of people.

Informing South Africans that there are about 740 000 people infected with Covid-19 worldwide and 35 000 people have lost their lives, President Ramaphosa reiterated the need for quick action and commended citizens who have responded positively to his call to stay at home, abide by the regulations and take the necessary care.

“I am concerned about those who have not yet appreciated the seriousness of the disease,” he admitted, calling on citizens not to leave their homes over the next 17 days of the lock-down unless it is to buy food or other essentials.

“If you do have to go out, do everything you can, not to get infected and to not infect others,” he urged. “Many believe it won’t happen to them but it is very real and poses a great danger to every one of us… rich and poor, young and old, black and white, those who live in the cities and those who live in rural areas.”

President Ramaphosa went on to sympathise with small businesses, the self-employed, workers who are worried about their jobs and their income, and even students who are missing lessons, saying it is a time of great anxiety for many, but assured South Africans that government would be taking action to assist.

“This grave crisis is happening when our economy is under great strain,” he said, mentioning that rating agency, Moody’s, has downgraded South Africa to a sub-investment grade which will significantly affect the cost of borrowing to fund government spending and will have a negative impact on the economy.

“We are working together with social partners to identify measures we can take to limit economic damage,” he said.

The Motsepe Foundation, which pledged R1 billion, Naspers’ pledge of R1.5 billion, and Jack Ma’s, owner of Alibaba, donation of medical supplies were commended by President Ramaphosa who said, “South Africa has come together like never before.”

He also thanked doctors, nurses, front line medical staff, security personnel from the police and defence force, as well as farm workers, electrical technicians, care workers tending to the most vulnerable, taxi drivers, supermarket cashiers, hospital cleaners, and petrol attendants.

“You are our unsung heroes and we salute you,” he praised.

“If we keep to the path we know we have to take, we will beat this disease. I have no doubt that we will overcome.”

Watch full address here:

President Cyril Ramaphosa addresses the Nation on measures taken to fight Coronavirus, #COVID19, #StayHomeSA, #CoronaVirusSA https://t.co/7kDxT8RWUq

— South African Government (@GovernmentZA) March 30, 2020

*Notice: Coronavirus reporting at Caxton Local Media aims to combat fake news

Dear reader,
As your local news provider, we have the duty of keeping you factually informed on Covid-19 developments. As you may have noticed, mis- and disinformation (also known as “fake news”) is circulating online. Caxton Local Media is determined to filter through the masses of information doing the rounds and to separate truth from untruth in order to keep you adequately informed. Local newsrooms follow a strict pre-publication fact-checking protocol. A national task team has been established to assist in bringing you credible news reports on Covid-19.
Readers with any comments or queries may contact National Group Editor Irma Green (irma@caxton.co.za) or Legal Adviser Helene Eloff (helene@caxton.co.za).