Covid-19 cluster outbreak: 38 SANDF members in Lephalale
Despite the outbreak, the province is encouraged by the recovery rate as the official Covid-19 cases exceed 1 000, said the Health MEC Phophi Ramathuba.
LIMPOPO – The number of confirmed Covid-19 cases has increased at a rapid rate in the past weeks and currently sits at 1 018 cumulative cases, according to a statement by the Limpopo Department of Health Spokesperson, Neil Shikwambana.
He said in the statement that although the numbers are growing, the department is encouraged by the number of recoveries, which are above 50%.
“Capricorn and Waterberg lead with 229 cumulative cases and the highest number of recoveries. Waterberg recorded 21 cases in the past 24 hours while Capricorn has 16 new cases. Of the total number of infections, 520 have recovered,” said MEC Phophi Ramathuba.
The statement added that five more deaths were also recorded.
“The department is saddened to confirm that five more deaths which happened on various days in the past week as announced by the minister are Covid-19 related, which brings the total of deaths to 10,” the statement reads.
Shikwambana said these patients were diagnosed posthumously as all of them died less than 12 hours upon their arrival at the various facilities, both public and private.
“All these cases had comorbidities and the reasons for visiting our emergency centres were as a result of complications due to their chronic ailments. The department conveys its deepest condolences to their families,” Shikwambana added.
Ramathuba expressed concern over the latest workplace cluster outbreak which involves SANDF members deployed in Lephalale.
“At least 38 cases have been recorded in the camp within the last 24 hours and they are all in isolation and being monitored. According to the reports, the infected soldiers are from Cape Town who came to the province last week as part of the battalion that was deployed to monitor lockdown compliance,” Ramathuba said.
Ramathuba added that they have reported the matter to the minister of health and head of military health services to work together to make sure they contain the spread of the virus.
“We call for calm among the people of Lephalale and reiterate our message that the only way we can protect ourselves from getting infected, is not by discrimination or blaming others but by washing our hands with water and soap, practising social distancing and wearing of masks. This is the time where self discipline is required. All those with comorbidities must stay at home. Those who are vulnerable please self-quarantine at home. Protect yourself from getting infected because you will not survive this virus,” concluded Ramathuba.
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