Lockdown restrictions were eased from Level 5 to Level 4, in all parts of the country from yesterday. However, the Health Department’s effort to seek out possible coronavirus cases, and ensure that those infected are properly isolated, continues to gain momentum.

Health Minister, Zweli Mkhize, announced this week that more than six million South Africans have been screened for Covid-19 and there are now up to 25 000 coronavirus tests being conducted in public testing facilities in a week.

The Amajuba District Department of Health has published the coming week’s schedule for door to door Covid-19 screenings.

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The image below reflects which areas health care workers will visit in each of the three towns that fall within the Amajuba District, and the corresponding date when screenings will take place.

Residents are urged to allow health staff to perform their duties so that individuals who need to be tested for the coronavirus may be identified. The screening process involves a questionnaire designed to assess if an individual is showing symptoms for Covid-19, and to establish if they are likely to have been exposed to the virus recently. Only those who are suspected of being infected with the coronavirus will be tested, either in the mobile testing station or by referral to a hospital.

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District mayor, and head of the Amajuba Response Team to the Covid-19 epidemic, Dr Musa Ngubane, assured residents that every effort is being made to ensure that safety and hygiene protocols are followed by all health care workers involved in the screenings.

“The health care workers are wearing masks and are carrying hand sanitizer, which they re-apply after each home they visit. They also offer hand sanitizer to every person they screen. The screening does not require for them to physically touch you. All they will do is ask you to answer some simple questions and then you will sign the bottom of the questionnaire to confirm that the information provided is correct. You can even use your own pen, if you prefer,” said Dr Ngubane.