SIXTY Disaster Management volunteers have been deployed to help keep Kouga communities safe from COVID-19.
Kouga Executive Mayor, Horatio Hendricks, said the volunteers would be working in those areas with the highest prevalence of cases. “Their role is to encourage residents to adhere to the basic safety precautions each one of us must take to minimise the spread of the coronavirus.
“They started off in Humansdorp, Jeffreys Bay, Hankey and Patensie at the beginning of August, as this is where the most cases have been confirmed thus far. The programme will be adapted as the situation on the ground changes.”
He said focus areas would include taxi ranks, as well as paypoints and shopping areas, especially during busy times of the month such as when social grants are paid.
“While most of us by now know what safety precautions to take, not everyone adheres to these.
“The volunteers will be there to remind residents that each one of us, young and old, has a role to play in keeping our families, friends and broader communities safe and healthy,” he said.
“We can do so by wearing our masks, maintaining social distancing and washing our hands regularly.”
The cumulative number of COVID-19 cases in the Kouga region increased to 1 344 this week, according to a report tabled by the Department of Health at the Joint Operations Committee (JOC) meeting on Tuesday.
“The recovery rate has increased from 83% to 88%. That is a total number of 1 177 people,” he said.
He said the number of active cases currently totalled 136, with the bulk of these located in Humansdorp (67) and Jeffreys Bay (45).
The remaining active cases are located in Patensie (2), Thornhill (5), Hankey (8) and Loerie (9).
The towns with the highest cumulative number of cases are Humansdorp (523), Jeffreys Bay (315), Hankey (163) and Patensie (162).
“Sadly, more lives have been lost to the disease, with the death toll in Kouga now standing at 31,” he said.
“Our heartfelt condolences go to their families, friends and colleagues.”
COVID-19 related deaths have been recorded at Humansdorp (12), Jeffreys Bay (11), Hankey (5), Patensie (2) and Loerie (1).
