The Gauteng Provincial Command Council held a media briefing this afternoon where Gauteng premier, David Makhura, detailed measures undertaken to fight Covid-19 in South Africa’s economic hub.
The premier encouraged a change in culture for residents when it comes to personal hygiene.
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“We cannot send the army to police social distancing, it is something that needs to be cultivated,” he said.
Makhura added that some of the measures imposed during the national lockdown would need to become the new normal for citizens in Gauteng.
Latest confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Gauteng. Total cases sit at 1377, with a total of 897 recoveries#GrowingGautengTogether #GautengCOVID19 pic.twitter.com/wfi16J5IMk
— Dr Bandile Masuku (@bandilemasuku) April 29, 2020
“Covid-19 will be one of the key driving forces of what the world will look like.
“It is a major disruptor that doesn’t warrant just national planning and coordination but global coordination.
“Covid-19 is impacting almost every country and it needs to be looked at seriously.
“Not just in the next three months because it poses an immediate threat but also in the years to come,” he said.
He described Covid-19 as a “huge game changer”.
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“We have never worked so well with municipalities.
“This threat has forced even the most difficult people to work together.
“This must be the new normal,” Makhura said.
Gauteng has 1 408 positive coronavirus cases.
Of these, 67 per cent have recovered.
There are currently 449 active cases and 11 recorded deaths.
“Slowing down the infection rate to flatten the curve is very important.
“This is what the lockdown is about.
“As Gauteng the lockdown has had a positive impact on slowing the infection rate,” the premier said.
He added that the daily infection rate has decreased and the number of recoveries has increased.
Ekurhuleni currently leads in the number of recoveries with 71 per cent of those infected with Covid-19 recovering.
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Sixty-seven per cent of those infected in Johannesburg and the West Rand have recovered and 66 per cent infected in Tshwane have also recovered.
Sedibeng has a 33 per cent recovery rate.
The premier said Ekurhuleni has a much greater recovery rate, as well as a low mortality rate.
“Johannesburg, the district which has been the hardest hit, has also shown a marked decrease in the number of infections,” Makhura said.
Johannesburg and Tshwane have the highest mortality rates.
Another important aspect of the measures put in place by the Gauteng provincial government was contact tracing.
“Contact tracing is the only way you can get a picture of what lies ahead,” Makhura said.
The Gauteng Provincial Command Council gives an update on COVID-19 in Gauteng https://t.co/Ri6Vcp8qxv
— David Makhura (@David_Makhura) April 30, 2020
Contact tracing is the process of tracing all those who have come into contact with those who have tested positive for Covid-19.
Tracing teams in Johannesburg have traced over 4 000 possible contacts, while Ekurhuleni has recorded 2 438 contact tracings.
Gauteng has reported a total number of 8 353 traced contacts who have been in contact with the 1 408 positive cases.
The contacts have been placed in self-isolation, self-quarantine or have been placed in quarantine facilities.
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Of the over 8 000 traced cases more than 5 800 have been discharged after they underwent mandatory monitoring and testing.
There are 2 517 cases which are being monitored.
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