MEC Manzini gives latest update on Covid-19 situation

As of July 8, Mpumalanga Province had reported 2 520 positive Covid-19 cases.

However, the minister of health, Dr Zweli Mkhize, reported 2 528. On verification, the discrepancy of eight cases (arising from case record numbers 2 251 to 2 528), were noted due to misallocation from other provinces.

According to the health MEC, Sasekani Manzini, these eight cases have been notified back to the NICD.

“Of major concern, the province has recorded an average increase of 181 for epidemiologic week 17.

“The cases increased by 179 in the past 24 hours. Regrettably, the reported Covid-19 deaths now sit at 22.

Our data shows that males account for 53 per cent of the overall cases in Mpumalanga, and the age group of 30 to 39 represents the majority of cases at 34 per cent, followed by the 21 per cent from 40 to 49 age group.

This shows that the majority of active Covid-19 cases come from the economically active working category,” said Manzini.

“I would therefore like to appeal to the youth to be active ambassadors of the fight against Covid-19 by advocating for behavioural change and resisting the temptation of gathering in large groups. I would also like to further appeal to passengers to always put on their cloth masks and to always sanitise when commuting in taxis, buses and private cars,” she continued.

Covid-19 deaths

The majority of deaths were recorded in Nkangala District (45%; 10/22) and especially in Emalahleni sub-district

(27%; 6/22).

Males accounted for the majority of deaths (55%; 12/22), while females accounted for 45%.

The majority of deaths were recorded between the ages of 40 and 49 (27%; 6/22) and 50- to 59 age group (27%; 6/22).

Most of the Covid-19 related deaths show that most of the deceased were hospitalised with the following common comorbidities (hypertension, diabetes and cardiac disease). This is consistent with the evidence presenting nationally and worldwide.

About 68 per cent of the deaths had hypertension, (15/22) of the deaths had diabetes, followed by diabetes mellitus with 50 per cent (11/22).

Other comorbidities associated with Covid-19 deaths included bronchial asthma/ chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, accounting for 14 per cent (3/22). TB and HIV was present in nine per cent (2/22) of the deaths. The average hospital stay for the deceased patient was only four days (1-10 days), which could signify possible delay in seeking medical care.

Covid-19 screening

“To date, the Department of Health has screened 4 974 072, surpassing the provincial population of 4,5 million people. The 730 404 screenings conducted at the roadblocks, malls, old age centres, and correctional service centres include people from other provinces and sometimes repeated screenings has resulted in the higher number of screenings conducted relative to the provincial population.

“The door to door community screening done thus far are 2 420, 902 with 1 965, 670 from Ehlanzeni, 1 404, 132 from Gert Sibande and 1 605, 270 from Nkangala.

The province has screened 1 822 700 in health facilities, with hospitals recording

591 877 and PHC facilities recording

1 230 889 screenings.

At the centre of the departmental strategy to manage the surge in hot spots, is community screening and testing. However, the department has now adopted the targeted approach to screening with a particular emphasis on the hot spots, emerging hot spots and high-risk clusters,” highlighted Manzini.

Covid-19 cases among healthcare workers

Manzini said the department places the safety of the healthcare workers at the top of its approach to combat Covid-19.

“Over the past weeks, a number of healthcare workers have tested positive for Covid-19, and the department has put measures to assist the healthcare workers to isolate. Although the source cannot be confirmed, there is a likelihood that some healthcare workers contracted Covid-19 from the communities, given the high level of internal transmission witnessed.

The province is currently monitoring 686 contacts from the active Covid-19 cases from healthcare workers.

“In appreciating the support of the unions, I requested the HOD to provide them with the stock levels of personal protective equipment on daily basis, and this is done without fail. It is my strong belief that unions are important organs of our institutions and they do not only represent the aspirations of the workers but should be allowed to play an active oversight role,” stressed Manzini.

She made it clear in her message that the healthcare workers must always use the correct PPE when attending to the patients.

Regrettable, on July 4, the province lost its first healthcare worker to Covid-19, a nurse who was working at KwaMhlanga Hospital.

The MEC was deeply saddened by the loss of the nurse and conveyed her deepest condolences to her family, friends and colleagues.

“Her name will forever be engraved in the history books of the Province of the Rising Sun and we shall always be indebted to her courage. I salute the late nurse and other healthcare workers for their bravery to confront the Covid-19 pandemic, waging the battle from the front while putting their own lives in danger,” said Manzini.

Covid-19 regulations compliance monitoring

“Infection, prevention and control (IPC) is one of the pillars to our strategy to combat Covid-19. In this approach the department has a team that conducts risk assessment for readiness to various facilities (including malls, mines, schools etc) and monitors compliance to various regulations and health protocols,” she highlighted.

The MEC’s visit to the mall at Emalahleni to monitor compliance to lockdown regulations exposed serious areas of concern and she established that the retail outlets were not fully complaint to the regulations.