Gauteng health allays public anxiety over quarantine sites
The MEC for Health spokesperson Kwara Kekana, said quarantine sites did not place the community at risk of being infected with Covid-19.
You have nothing to fear if you live next to a quarantine site, the Gauteng Department of Health assured residents.
The MEC for Health spokesperson Kwara Kekana, said quarantine sites did not place the community at risk of being infected with Covid-19.
“We have noted there have been concerns raised by some community members where quarantine sites are based. We wish to reiterate that the Covid-19 virus is not airborne and is spread mainly via respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes, in the same way influenza and other respiratory pathogens spread,” Kekana said.
She said the majority of infections occurred in people who came into close physical contact with people already infected by the virus.
She said the quarantine sites were mainly community-based facilities meant to accommodate people who were asymptomatic, but had been in contact with a person who tested positive for Covid-19.
“The sites also serve to host those that test positive but cannot quarantine at home,” Kekana said.
“Once people are cleared of the coronavirus after a minimum waiting period of 14 days and have undergone testing, they are released back into their community.”
READ MORE: Coronavirus (COVID-19): Social distancing, self-isolation and quarantine explained
She said it was important for society to note that not all people at a quarantine site had Covid-19.
“Quarantine sites are specialised facilities that adhere to very strict management of infections to avoid spreading the virus,” said Kekana.
She said the Patients Under Investigation (PUI) were tested and kept under individual quarantine (self-quarantine) to avoid infections.
“Quarantine sites pose no risk to the community in the same way that hospitals and clinics that are located in communities pose no harm to society.”
Kekana said these facilities observed infection prevention control (IPC) measures which included the creation of a map of the facility, demarcating the red, yellow and green zones to outline the details of movement of healthcare and other personnel around the quarantine area and in the building.
She said the map was used to regulate the movement of staff to limit interactions with high risk areas and to prevent and control infections.
“These facilities are manned by well informed and trained security personnel on a 24/7 rotation basis to monitor the facility and to avoid entry of unauthorised persons.
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“Personnel at these facilities are trained on how to use personal protective equipment (PPE) and there are designated areas for PPE donning and doffing to ensure safety of all concern,” said Kekana.
She reiterated that there were many other measures in place to ensure the safety of medical staff, PUI and the public at all times.
“We therefore implore communities that have quarantine sites in their midst not to ostracize these critical facilities and people who work or are attached to the facilities, form a key part of the strategy to fight the spread of this pandemic for the benefit of all communities in the province.”
Last week it was announced that Pretoria CBD, Pretoria West and Atteridgeville had since seen an increase in Covid-19 cases.
Gauteng Premier David Makhura said Tshwane also became concerned as cases of Covid-19 continued to rise.
He said concerning areas were the Pretoria CBD, Pretoria West, Danville, Atteridgeville and Saulsville.
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