Gauteng hit hardest as cases increase
Every day, more and more people are testing positive for the Covid-19 as the virus sweeps through the country with the third wave of infections hitting Gauteng the hardest.
The Gauteng department of health said at the weekend widespread transmission of infections has been recorded in all communities in the province.
This comes after Gauteng health MEC Dr Nomathemba Mokgethi said the province recorded 7 859 new infections on 16 June – which surpassed the first and second wave of daily infections.
As the daily infection rate continues to rise, many companies and families are now going into quarantine or isolating to try to avoid getting infected.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO,) anyone who has been exposed to someone with Covid-19 could be infected, even if they were feeling well.
Anyone who was exposed should contact a healthcare provider or the Covid-19 hotline to find out about getting tested as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, WHO suggests anyone who has been in contact with an infected person, whether the person has symptoms or not, should quarantine in a facility or at home for 14 days.
When a person has tested positive for the virus they should isolate from other people for at least 10 days plus an additional three days without symptoms.
During quarantine, the person must keep a distance of at least one meter from others – even from family members – and stay in a separate room. If this isn’t possible, the person should wear a mask at all times.
Other measures include frequently washing hands and being in a well ventilated room or space.
Monitor yourself for any symptoms for 14 days and look out for common symptoms such as a fever, dry mouth and fatigue.
Other symptoms may include loss of taste or smell, nasal congestion, conjunctivitis (red eyes), sore throat, headache, muscle or joint pain, nausea or vomiting, diarrhoea, chills or dizziness, shortness of breath, loss of appetite, persistent pain or pressure in the chest or a temperature of above 38ºC.