No locals diagnosed with Coronavirus
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), on 8 March, there were 107 420 confirmed cases globally and 3 652 confirmed deaths.
HIGHVELD – There have been seventeen confirmed cases of the Covid-19 (coronavirus) in South Africa at the time of posting this article.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), on 8 March, there were 107 420 confirmed cases globally and 3 652 confirmed deaths.
The Covid-19 virus was first reported in Wuhan, China in November last year and has since spread worldwide.
The virus is said to have originated from a Wet Market in Wuhan, which is known for the sale of living and dead wild life and exotic animals and is thought to be the starting point for the virus outbreak. Although not yet confirmed, it is suspected that bats were the original hosts.
President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the media on Thursday, 5 March, and said South Africans should not panic, but must be alert.
“All our medical care people in the private sector and in public sector have been informed that the alertness and identifying this disease must be at a much higher level.”
“As South Africans we must be rest assured that Government will demonstrate its seriousness in term of dealing with this matter,” said Mr Ramaphosa.
The president further said the virus will have a huge impact on a number of things, such as travel and a negative impact on the country’s economy and tourism.
The virus can be transferred from person to person by means of mucous or saliva such as sneezing, coughing or shaking hands.
Therefor it is of most importance to practice safe hygiene by washing your hands with strong hygienic soap, or to use of alcohol-based sanitisers. Avoid touching your face, mouth, ears, nose or eyes.
The virus is characterised by mild symptoms such as runny nose, sore throat, cough and fever. Illness can be more severe for some people and can lead to pneumonia or breathing difficulties.
More rarely the disease can be fatal, especially in older people or people with medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes or heart disease.
Surgical masks are only helpful in preventing people who have coronavirus disease from spreading it to others.
The question asked, are we equipped for such an outbreak in the Highveld area?
Mr Willem Schoonbee, Hospital General Manager for Mediclinic Highveld and Secunda, said “Mediclinic can confirm that there are currently no confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus at Mediclinic Highveld.”
“In strict accordance with NICD and the National Department of Health protocols, Mediclinic has implemented the necessary measures to manage any patients presenting symptoms and to prevent the potential transmission of the virus in our facilities.”
“We urge the public to take the necessary precautions when travelling to affected areas.
“We also encourage anyone experiencing signs and symptoms of flu, or who thinks that they may have been exposed to the virus, to contact their healthcare provider,” said Mr Schoonbee.
At the time of going to press [Monday, 8 March] rumours were circulating that a Sasol employee, who went to Italy, was on the same flight as that of the group of 10.
Mr Alex Anderson, Senior Manager: Group External Communication for Sasol Limited said that Sasol can confirm that no employee in Secunda has been positively tested for the Covid-19 (coronavirus) and no formal quarantine of any employee has been implemented.
“We are monitoring the Covid-19 situation very closely and are working closely with the relevant authorities,” said Mr Anderson.
