Community screenings for Covid-19 as part of the nationwide Community Screening & Testing Initiative, will commence in Cloetesville on Tuesday, 28 April.
This is according to Jonathan Abrahams, the community-based services coordinator for the Stellenbosch sub-district of the Cape Winelands.
It was indicated that 123 683 people have been screened in the province and that 5 230 were tested since the commencement of the initiative, according to premier Alan Winde’s latest statement concerning Covid-19, on 23 April.
The Stellenbosch sub-district, at present, has 15 positive cases of Covid-19, confirmed Denise Johnson, the primary healthcare manager for the Western Cape.
The screenings, which have been taking place in Kayamandi since 20 April, will now be conducted on a lower-scale in Cloetesville, as the same staff will conduct screenings in both areas, said Abrahams.
“We are using a data-driven approach to continuously identify new areas where community screening and testing will be rolled out,” said Sandra Maritz, communications officer for the Cape Winelands district.
According to Maritz, residents are asked a series of questions by healthcare staff to see if they may be infected with the virus.
If residents have a fever or a cough or find difficulty in breathing, residents will be asked to go to a local clinic to be tested for Covid-19, she said.
Maritz warned that hospitals and clinics are crowded and exposed to germs. “Try to stay away,” she said.
According to Martiz it is only vital to go to a clinic if someone is very sick, to collect chronic medication, and for pregnancy and baby care.
“We urge members of the community to adhere to lockdown regulations and stay home, ” said Maritz.