GOVERNMENT efforts to stop the spread of Covid-19 were focused on KwaNomzamo in Humansdorp this past week after five residents tested positive for the coronavirus.
According to information from the Department of Health, the Kouga area had a total of six confirmed Covid-19 cases by the end of last week.
No new cases had been confirmed at the time of going to print.
Kouga Executive Mayor, Horatio Hendricks, said the first two patients from KwaNomzamo were believed to have contracted the virus at a funeral in Port Elizabeth.
“The other three cases were identified through contact tracing and are people who had direct contact with these initial two patients,” he said.
“According to our latest information, the patients are doing well and are in isolation.”
He said all government efforts to stop the spread of the virus had been reprioritised this past week in order to focus on KwaNomzamo.
“The mass screening programme was accelerated to cover the whole of KwaNomzamo and one of the province’s mobile testing facilities was brought in for fast-track testing,” he said.
“Additional law enforcement staff were also deployed in the affected area to ensure residents adhere to lockdown regulations and do not leave their homes unnecessarily.”
He said the municipality, Department of Health and other roleplayers would continue monitoring the situation closely.
He urged residents to heed government’s call to stay at home.
“Don’t go out unless it is absolutely necessary.
“ If you do go out, please remember to maintain physical distancing, do not touch anything unnecessarily and do not touch your face unless you have just washed your hands.”
He thanked all roleplayers responding so swiftly to the Covid-19 outbreak in KwaNomzamo.
“Staff worked throughout the Easter weekend to help safeguard and prepare the community for the potential spread of the virus.
“We are humbled and grateful for the incredible commitment from all sectors.
“Together we can stop the spread and keep our communities safe.”
