G Route only 1,1%
The Garden Route's Covid-19 figure as of 13:00 on Tuesday 12 May stands at 69. This is an increase of seven cases since the same time last week. In spite of the increase, the infections in the Garden Route make up only 1,11% of the total cases in the Western Cape. George has reported two more cases, bringing the total to 16, of whom 14 have recovered.
There are still no hospitalisations at George Hospital or Mediclinic George. Covid-19 screening is continuing in Thembalethu and at George Hospital. The Western Cape has 4 134 active cases, with a total of 6 194 confirmed cases and 1 950 recoveries. A total of 110 people have passed away. The Western Cape has conducted a total number of 69 422 tests.
Hotspot strategy for Cape Town
A new strategy to respond to the fast spread of the virus in the City of Cape Town, where the highest numbers of infections and deaths in the country has been reported, was adopted this week when the "Whole of Government Covid-19 Hotspot Strategy" was approved by the provincial Cabinet.
In terms of this strategy, the Western Cape Government will utilise and coordinate its various departments together with the city in a unified response to hotspots within the city - areas where a high number of cases occur, and where community transmission is well entrenched and accelerating.
The plan includes:
■ Health response - includes case management, community screening and testing and the appropriate referral for quarantine and isolation;
■ Economic response - including assisting and mapping businesses, ensuring social distancing in the workplace and places of economic activity, and the following of the provincial health protocols developed for the workspace;
■ Safety response - includes the police and WCG and City of Cape Town traffic deployment and law enforcement;
■ Food security and humanitarian response - includes the departments of Agriculture, Social Development and relevant city initiatives;
■ Places and spaces response - led by the Department of Human Settlements and its interventions in informal areas in particular;
■ Transport and public response - includes interventions with respect to movement of people, and public transport, amongst others.
Behaviour change
Premier Alan Winde said their communications campaign will also now focus more strongly on achieving behaviour change, and the role of councillors, community leaders, and faith-based organisations will be leveraged. The province will furthermore look at the role that businesses play in keeping their employees and customers safe by sticking to the guidelines aimed at reducing infections.