Provincial focus

KwaZulu-Natal’s fight against COVID-19 has earned the province high praise

KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) was the location of the first case of coronavirus (COVID-19) in South Africa and was immediately identified as a high-risk area.

Since then, the province has quickly identified COVID-19 hotspots and prepared the healthcare system to deal with a rise in infections.

The province has been lauded by President Cyril Ramaphosa for its extensive, proactive efforts to keep new infections under control.

When the virus emerged, KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sihle Zikalala was quick to identify the potential threat of COVID-19 to the province.

“The coronavirus outbreak represents a significant risk to the population of KwaZulu-Natal and the country. If we do not make drastic changes to how we do things, it has the potential to cause high levels of morbidity and mortality, and pose a threat to our social and economic security,” he said.

Identification of threats

Led by Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane-Zulu, the province has excelled at creating awareness about COVID-19. The provincial Department of Health embarked on numerous awareness campaigns across the province, encompassing both urban and rural areas.

The provincial government has also been quick to deal with outbreaks of the virus. As infections around the country began to slowly rise, a worrying trend emerged at KZN hospitals, as healthcare workers on the frontlines contracted COVID-19.

Premier Zikalala and MEC Simelane-Zulu closed the affected hospitals and immediately initiated investigations into the outbreaks.

The province has also been quick to identify the province's COVID-19 hotspots.

In early April, the eThekwini Metro was identified as the main hotspot. The settlements of uMlazi, Chatsworth, Verulam and Westville were also identified, leading to the intensification of efforts to control the outbreaks.

The province took the firm step

of isolating all positive patients in approved facilities, as self-isolation was identified as being largely ineffective.

“Our lived experience, especially in eThekwini, we have found that the majority of them will defy these protocols and not adhere to them. We have very serious and unexpected experiences in various areas where those selfisolating are being seen moving around and going to the malls and having some engagement,” said the MEC.

These measures, seen as drastic by some, have now been viewed as crucial for keeping infection rates at relatively low levels in KwaZulu-Natal.

Screening, testing and healthcare capacity

The province has implemented mass screening and testing at homes in every district of KZN. A total of 565 mass screening and testing teams, comprising mostly enrolled nurses, were deployed to conduct the campaign, while 620 tracer teams are dedicated to contact tracing.

Premier Zikalala said the province's response is based on a three-step approach across the province; contact tracing team, community screening and testing, and roadblock teams that work with police at roadblocks.

“More effort is now required to conduct more surveillance and screening for COVID-19, hence the strategy of conducting mass community screening and testing. The Provincial Community and Testing Screening plan complements the Contact Tracing Plan and will yet prove to be a vital cog in our efforts to intensify this fight.”

Concerns have been raised about the capacity of the provincial healthcare system to deal with a rise in COVID-19 infections. While keeping the infection rate low through lockdown regulations and screening and testing, the province has had time to expand the capacity of its healthcare facilities.

Premier Zikalala pointed out that the province has more than

1 000 operational beds dedicated to COVID-19 patients. A further 1 200 will be made available through the newly-built Pixley Ka Isaka Seme Hospital, north of Durban.

“In addition, the department is renovating and reconfiguring the existing clinical spaces in public health facilities and establishing field hospitals in order to increase bed capacity and to meet isolation and quarantine safety requirements. The province is also accepting offers from private health establishments in order to increase the total bed capacity.”

The province has also negotiated and established a database of lodges, resorts and hotels for activation for use as quarantine facilities based on demand.

Praise from the President

President Ramaphosa visited KwaZulu-Natal in May, touring healthcare facilities and meeting with the provincial coronavirus task team. He was impressed at the measures taken to respond to COVID-19 challenges, and the state of readiness of the province.

“I have been given a full and detailed report about the work that the Provincial Command Council, under Premier Sihle Zikalala, is doing here in KZN ... I commend you for addressing the challenges that COVID-19 has presented. I also want to commend you for handling the challenges extremely well,” said President Ramaphosa.

During the President's visit, Premier Zikalala touched on the important aspect of occupational health and safety measures, including the provision of personal protective equipment (PPE) to healthcare workers and all other employees as the economy starts reopening.

“The provincial government has also developed occupational health and safety guidelines to protect healthcare workers during COVID-19. PPE is being provided to the relevant healthcare workers based on risk assessment and we are also providing PPE to all employees,” he said.