The first case of Coronavirus infection on the West Rand has been confirmed after a resident of Eagle Canyon Golf and Lifestyle Estate in Honeydew tested positive.
This resident showed symptoms of the COVID-19 virus infection at the weekend after being in contact with a foreign national, who also tested positive for the Corona Virus.
The estate’s head of department (PR, Marketing and Communications) Kim Bell, confirmed the information to the Northsider.
“After displaying mild symptoms, the resident immediately went for the required testing and received a positive confirmation on Monday, 16 March. At all times the resident was subjected to voluntary quarantine to prevent the spread of the virus,” Bell explained. She said the resident remained in quarantine and the relevant health authorities were dealing with the matter.
Bell also clarified some crucial circumstances relating to the matter, saying, “This contact came about due to work commitments and did not occur within the Eagle Canyon Estate. The resident has not utilised any communal areas of Eagle Canyon, nor been in contact with any staff or other residents of the Estate in the time that he was exposed to the virus.”. She further stated that they were following all health, safety and hygiene protocols as required.
“The Board and Management take its responsibility for all health, safety and preventative actions very seriously and continue to take all possible and necessary measures.
“Various internal-staff education sessions have been held, and protocols will continue to be reinforced, which include that of all service providers of the Estate. A policy document has been formulated and shared with all staff, and will be made available to residents for further education and awareness. All conferences, gatherings and functions have been suspended,” she said as she detailed the immediate measured the Estate has taken.
The Northsider contacted the National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD) to confirm the case; however, its spokesperson, Sinenhlanhla Jimoh, could not confirm cases of single patients due to their ethics, but can only confirm the number of latest cases in the Province, as issued by the Department of Health.
Following President Cyril Ramaphosa’s address on Sunday declaring a national state of disaster to contain the spread of the virus, which led to institutions being shut down and social gatherings being suspended, the latest statistic of cases in SA was confirmed as 116 by the NICD.
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