By OBAKENG MAJE
North West Premier Job Mokgoro said a lot needs to be done to ensure that the province obliterates the spread of COVID-19 pandemic. This comes after the province showed a drastic increase in relation to COVID-19 disease.
“The last time I stood before you, we were amongst the two provinces with the lowest confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus, commonly referred to as COVID-19. However, things have since taken a drastic change since that time as we have surpassed Mpumalanga, Free State, Limpopo and the Northern Cape provinces with the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases.
“The total number of COVID-19 confirmed cases in the province as of Thursday was 364, showing an increase of 49 from previously reported cases. However, that number has since increased to 409 confirmed cases by late last night. There were 59 recoveries by Thursday and still one reported death so far,” Mokgoro said.
He said a total of five confirmed cases which were previously allocated to Gauteng, have since been re-allocated to the North West province after data harmonization and verification of addresses and the majority of these cases are mine-related in the Rustenburg area.
Mokgoro added that the Bojanala Platinum District had the highest number of confirmed cases at 215 with 39 recoveries and one death. He said the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District is next with 121 confirmed and 21 recoveries.
“The Ngaka Modiri Molema District now has 20 confirmed cases, with 10 recoveries, while the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District has 5 cases and 1 has recovered. There are 11 healthcare workers who tested COVID-19 positive and 7 of them have since recovered.
“We have now conducted over 3 million screenings so far. In fact, the actual number stands at 3 123 523 and those referred for testing are at 2 724. We are of the firm conviction that mass screenings, active case finding and contact tracing remain key to the prevention of rapid infections,” he said.
Mokgoro highlighted that although the Bojanala Platinum District has the highest number of recovered cases in the province, there are no significant differences in the recovery rates of both the Bojanala Platinum and Dr Kenneth Kaunda Districts.
“The increase in confirmed COVID-19 cases in the mines is a major issue of concern to the Provincial COVID-19 Command Council and the MEC for Health, Madoda Sambatha has been visiting and engaging with the mining houses in the province to assess the levels of compliance with lockdown regulations in that space.
“In this regard, a lot has been achieved during Lockdown Levels 4 and 5. Treatment protocols have been developed for a coherent response in the screening, testing, and treatment of suspected as well as confirmed cases,” said Mokgoro.
He further said his provincial government has ensured that the availability of medicines required treating the complications of COVID-19 and this includes analgesic, antipyretics, antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, anticoagulants, Zinc Sulphate, Vitamin C.
“Level 5 Lockdown Restrictions gave us the time to start to prepare for a possible surge in cases. Therefore, the hospital capacity in the province has been enhanced by collaboration between the public and private health as well as the mining sectors.
“We will continue to enhance the capacity of hospitals to ensure that services can be rendered should the need arise. We are currently now planning a field hospital for additional beds, details relating to that will be finalised and made public in due course,” he said.
Mokgoro said strategic measures have been taken by the Provincial COVID-19 Command Council to ensure the availability of PPE, psycho-social support, and vaccination of front line workers.
The Guardian 