Locals take no chances with coronavirus threat

Rumours of a patient testing positive for the coronavirus (COVID-19) in Dundee, and later on in Vryheid, had local community messaging groups buzzing.
At one stage, it was claimed the patient was in isolation at the AbaQulusi Private Hospital.
Manager of the facility, Tia Ellis confirmed this was not the case however, and said there were no cases of the COVID-19 virus reported either at the hospital or in the Vryheid area.
She also confirmed that if a patient did approach the hospital, there were four quarantine wards.
A patient who is suspected to have the virus would be quarantined immediately and the necessary tests and procedures would be adhered to.
Ellis also emphasised that Vryheid residents must follow the steps given by the National Department of Health, if they suspect they are infected or show the symptoms of the virus.
She also indicated that testing for the virus was easily done with swabs on the inside of the mouth, and results would be available within 48 hours.
Fear and panic have not abated, even among residents in the Vryheid area.
When local petrol attendant, Elias Ntshangase heard the news of COVID-19 on the radio, he immediately started wearing a mask over his lower face.
“Work together to prevent the virus, because you never know. We come in contact with people from all over the country,” said Ntshangase on Friday.
The first local ‘patient zero’
South Africa’s first case of the Novel Coronavirus was confirmed on March 5.
A 38-year-old father and his wife were part of a group of 10 residents who travelled to Italy recently, returning to South Africa at the beginning of this month.
The man developed symptoms of fever, headache, a sore throat and a cough and consulted with a private general practitioner days later.
One of the nurses at the doctor’s rooms took saliva swabs for laboratory testing, while the 38-year-old went into self-isolation.
A few days later, a 39-year-old woman from Gauteng, who was in direct contact with the first case, was also confirmed to have the COVID-19 coronavirus.
She was admitted and isolated in a public health facility in Gauteng, which was identified by Government as one of the coronavirus designated hospitals.
The South African Embassy in South Korea later indicated a 39-year-old male had also tested positive for the virus.
He was due to return to South Africa, but has since remained in South Korea.
“We continue to call for calm and cooperation from the public and the media during this period. We also request that the privacy of the patients, the affected individuals and families be respected”, said Dr Zweli Mkhize, Minister of Health. “Our commitment to do everything in our power to mitigate against the uncontrollable spread of COVID-19 in our country, remains.”
Government has also been in consultation with stakeholders in the medical industry for the past three weeks, to identify suitable accommodation for the South Africans who will be repatriated from Wuhan City in Hubei Province, China.
Approximately 151 South Africans are currently living under lockdown conditions following the outbreak.
It has been stated that none of these individuals were diagnosed with the virus and have not showed any related symptoms, and being placed under immediate quarantine upon returning to local shores is a purely precautionary measure.
Dr Mhkize assured the public that facilities would have very strict security parameters and measures would be put in place to ensure communities living nearby were not exposed to or put into contact with those under quarantine, until they were confirmed to not carry the virus.
“We remain committed to minimising the spread of this virus and urge that we all work together!”
AbaQulusi Private Hospital gave the residents of Vryheid a few guidelines on COVID-19:
What is a coronavirus?
Coronaviruses are a large group of viruses commonly found among animals.
In rare cases, these viruses can be transmitted from animals to humans.
The virus can make humans very sick, and a mild to moderate upper respiratory tract illness, similar to a common cold, can occur.
How does the virus spread?
Human coronavirus most commonly spread through: the air, by coughing and sneezing; personal contact, for example touching and shaking of hands; touching an object or surface which has the virus on and then touching your mouth; rarely, through fecal contamination.
What are the symptoms?
Runny nose, headaches, coughing, a sore throat, fever, a general feeling of being unwell.
For those with a weakened immune system, the elderly and the very young, there is the possibility the virus could cause a lower and far more serious respiratory tract illness, like pneumonia or bronchitis. Research indicates the vast majority of cases of people who contracted the virus in China (87 per cent) were people ranging from 30 to 79 years old.
It also indicates teens and people in their 20s, who are in contact with many others at school or at work, don’t seem to contract the virus at a significant rate.
Only 8,1 per cent of these reported cases were in their 20s and 1,2 per cent were in their teens, while 0,9 per cent were nine years and younger. The World Health Organisation found that 78 per cent of the cases reported as of February 20, were in people between the ages of 30 and 69 years old. When a person suspects or show signs of COVID-19, they are urged to call the hotline immediately and follow said instructions.
At the time of going to print, there were seven confirmed coronavirus cases in South Africa.
The Coronavirus Outbreak 24-Hour Hotline Number: 080 002 9999.

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