Bay port remains on coronavirus high alert

ALTHOUGH no cases of the coronavirus have been detected in the country, various ports of entry and all health facilities remain on high alert.

The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) announced on Tuesday that 87 people have been tested in SA, but all results have come back negative.

‘All provinces have activated outbreak response teams and are on high alert to detect and manage inadvertent cases that may arise in the country,’ said Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize.

Speaking at a media briefing in Richards Bay recently, Premier Sihle Zikalala said KZN is satisfied with the measures in place at ports, where health officials are routinely conducting temperature screening for international travellers and adopting strict surveillance of visitors. Some of the strict measures implemented by Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) at all ports, including Richards Bay, include restricting South African citizens and employees from consuming foods or liquids on board vessels from high risk areas. Acting Chief Harbour Master Captain, Sabelo Mdlalose, said if a vessel reports an incident of infection on board, port health authorities must be notified immediately.

‘The vessel may dock, but no persons will be permitted to go on board until port health officers have cleared the vessel. Should there be a TNPA pilot on board, he should report to the TNPA clinic immediately,’ Mdlalose said. TNPA pilots have also been instructed to use appropriate medical masks and gloves if a vessel arrives from an affected area. ‘All crew transfers from affected areas will be carefully screened and no crew will be allowed to disembark from a vessel without obtaining port health clearance.

‘Yacht crews arriving from affected areas must also report to SAPS and port health. The skipper is to be informed to remain isolated on board until cleared. ‘If possible, contaminated vessels should be allocated to an isolated berth away from other vessels,’ Mdlalose said.

The majority of cases have been linked to seafood, poultry and the live wildlife market in Wuhan City, China. China has confirmed more than 75 000 cases of the coronavirus and 2,012 deaths.

One case has been confirmed in Egypt, while others have been reported in Thailand, Japan, the Republic of Korea and the Philippines. Common signs of infection include respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties.

In severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome and kidney failure.