Provincial focus
Northern Cape gets a handle on COVID-19
Characterised by mainly small towns spaced far away from each other, the Northern Cape is largely protected from the threats that the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic poses to more densely populated provinces with large urban areas.
The province has recorded the lowest number of deaths in South Africa and its number of COVID-19 cases have consistently accounted for around just two percent of overall cases in the country.
This does not mean that government officials there have had an easy battle against COVID-19.The largely underdeveloped nature of the province brought its own set of challenges, which had to be accounted for in the provincial government's prevention and response measures.
The provincial government still joined the rest of the country in implementing measures to control the spread of the virus.
As part of the prevention strategy, awareness campaigns were launched throughout the province, including in informal settlements.
Bed capacity
The province's healthcare system has remained robust during the outbreak, with the number of hospital beds still more than sufficient to deal with a rise in cases, according to Premier Zamani Saul.
“We remain confident that we have enough bed capacity in the province for all patients who need to be admitted with COVID-19 complications,” he said during in a recent virtual media briefing on the province's COVID-19 response.
By September, the province had conducted almost three million screenings and around 90 000 tests.
“Government will continue to use screening not simply for screening but also to constantly educate our people about which symptoms to look for and where to seek medical assistance,” said the Premier.
Partnering with the private sector
The province has forged valuable partnerships with the private sector, most notably the mining
industry, to provide sufficient personal protective equipment (PPE) and to fund other COVID-19 prevention and response measures. A notable example was the R100 million contribution made by mines in the John Taolo Gaetsewe District and the Sishen Iron Ore Company Community Development Trust.
“Over the past few months, contributions from our social partners made the provision of this much-needed equipment possible. It should be noted that this contribution was non-financial and was made in the form of PPE, medical equipment and water infrastructure that will be utilised in healthcare facilities.”
The Department of Social Development (DSD) is also partnering with private sector roleplayers and non-governmental organisations to boost food security, with the implementation of 143 feeding scheme projects.
“An amount of R20 million has been set aside for food provision in areas where the department currently has no footprint in terms of food provision,” said Premier Saul.
Safely reopening schools
As learners were welcomed back to school in August, the province made substantial commitments towards ensuring that children and educators would do so safely.
“…we are pleased with the manner in which our education system handled the return of all grades to school.The members of the Provincial Command Council conducted visits to several schools across the province to ensure that all health and hygiene protocols are in place and that learning and teaching can take place in a safe environment,” said the Premier.
The Department of Basic Education (DBE) appointed 645 cleaners to fill vacant posts at schools, while 2 100 screeners were appointed to ensure that learners, educators and support staff are screened daily.
Schools have also been linked to their nearest clinics to respond to any emergencies that may arise.
“The DBE also partnered with the DSD to extend the services of social workers to schools to address the psychosocial challenges relating to lockdown and COVID-19.”
Mindful of a possible second wave
The Premier said the Provincial Command Council is mindful of the possibility of a second wave of infections.
“The Provincial Command Council remains as resolute as ever to double our efforts in ensuring that we contain infections and save lives. Therefore we are still working tirelessly with our districts and civil society to ensure that this does not happen. We can only achieve this with the cooperation of each and every citizen of this growing province.”
He called for increased vigilance in observing all health and safety protocols in terms of social distancing, wearing of face masks and regular hand washing or sanitising.