Coronavirus update: DA calls for national debate on SA ‘readiness’

According to DA shadow minister of health Siviwe Gwarube, a debate of national importance will afford the Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize to address Parliament and the nation on the Health Department’s readiness to deal with the global pandemic.

She added that the tabling of an inter-ministerial strategy in Parliament is of crucial importance.

“Experts have warned that the Chinese health system, which is far stronger than the South African one, was rocked by this virus. While there were other exacerbating factors which led to the rapid spread of the virus across China, the reality is that South Africa has deep cause for concern,” Gwarube said in a statement.

Botswana case: Coronavirus ‘at our borders’

“A patient has now been identified as infected with the coronavirus in Botswana, our neighbouring country. Effectively, this means that the virus is already at our borders.”

The DA urged that International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) Minister Naledi Pandor should accompany Mkhize in his address to the nation to ensure a “traversal governmental strategy” on dealing with this matter.

SA emergency protocols ‘not strict enough’

Mkhize, addressed the media on Wednesday 29 January, providing a report on South Africa’s readiness to combat the pandemic.

The health minister revealed that South Africa’s airports and other points of entry would be closely monitored, with a temperature screening process in place for those returning from China due to be intensified.

Mkhize added that collaborative efforts with the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NCID) would be heightened at points of entry, noting:

If a traveller is found to have high temperature they are assessed by a nurse… then the NICD is contacted.”

However, the DA believes stricter measures need to be put in place at all ports of entry, especially because the coronavirus can be fatal to any individual with a weakened immune system.

“And given our high HIV/Aids and TB infection rate, this virus has the potential to destroy the lives of hundreds of thousands of South Africans,” Garube added.

DIRCO and impact on trade relations

Garube said the matter transcends the Health Department and “demands a deep degree of commitment and attention from DIRCO, as the virus may impact our trade relations”.

“To have a debate of national importance is not an alarmist tool, but a way of proactively dealing with this matter. It also ensures that Parliament is at the center of finding solutions to challenges facing our country, given the pandemic.”

Coronavirus SA: Get your flu vaccination

South Africans have been urged to get flu vaccinations to protect themselves against flu-like symptoms.

According to SABC News, Dr Pete Vincent, from Netcare Medicross, said:

“South Africans should all go and get the flu vaccination so they are at least protected against the flu and that would make life much easier.

“Your hand hygiene is very essential and keeping your hands away from your face when you travel. South Africa is on top of their game. We’ve been given out memos on what specimen to take out and how to treat the various stages of the illness.”

“It can go from the common cold to pneumonia to respiratory collapse and renal failure and death. It seems to be the elderly and the sick that are the most prone to death,” Vincent explained.

What we know about the first death outside China

On Sunday, the Philippines has reported the first death outside China in the virus epidemic that has killed more than 300 people and spread to 24 nations.

The 44-year-old Chinese man was from Wuhan, the city that has been ground-zero for the epidemic. The man and a 38-year-old Chinese woman, also from Wuhan, flew from Hong Kong to the Philippines on January 21.

Health department authorities said the pair travelled to the central island of Cebu and then the city of Dumaguete, which is on a neighbouring island.

Cebu Pacific airline said it was working with health authorities to track down passengers from the two flights they took.

How he died

Days after arriving in the Philippines, the pair went to see a doctor with cough and fever symptoms.

They were both admitted to hospital from January 25, she with a “mild cough” and him with pneumonia, the national health department said.

In recent days the man was stable and even showed signs of improvement, but his condition rapidly declined over his final 24 hours and he died on Saturday in Manila.

Less than an hour before the death was announced, the Philippine government announced it was barring arrivals of foreigners travelling from mainland China as well as Hong Kong and Macau.

— Additional reporting by © Agence France-Presse