Western Cape Health Department call on residents to ‘play your part’

The Western Cape currently has the highest number of active COVID-19 cases in South Africa, followed closely by KwaZulu Natal. We also reported yesterday that hospitals in the provinces are reaching capacity.

The Western Cape receives approximately 570 hospital admissions from both private and public facilities every day. Furthermore, 171 deaths were reported for the province on 23 December 2020.

Western Cape Health Department’s Christmas message

‘Follow COVID-19 protocols’

Chief of operations at Western Cape Department of Health, Dr Saadiq Kariem, said: “It’s Christmas time, it’s a new year, let this not become a black Christmas or new year”. As per Eyewitness News:

“Let it not be a bleak time of the year; let it rather be a joyous, festive time. People obviously have to follow the protocols, be careful of confined spaces, be careful of crowded spaces.”

Dr Saadiq Kariem

Speaking with Zain Johnson at Cape Talk on Thursday, 24 December 2020, Kariem explained that the surge of new cases is “even surpassing the peak of the first wave, putting pressure on the hospital platform”.

Western Cape infections surge

Kariem noted that in the last two weeks, the province “recorded around 1 000 deaths”, while it previously took eight to nine months to reach around 4 000 deaths. He adds:

“It is always difficult to predict it [the COVID-19 peak]. It is at best an inaccurate science in terms of predictions and modelling but all I can say at this stage is that the rise is still exponentially increasing.”

With this in mind, the Western Cape Health Department pleads with residents to play your part by observing the COVID-19 safety protocols and restrictions in place. It warns that COVID-19 “leaves lasting damage”.

In a recent statement from the Health Department, Communications Officer for Overberg District, Roché Butler, recounts the experience of a resident known as Carmen who suffered permanent damage to her lungs after contracting COVID-19.

COVID-19: One woman’s first-hand experience

Carmen and her husband attended a funeral, unaware at the time that a family who hugged them had the virus. Carmen started to experience flu symptoms two days later and bought over-the-counter medication.

Her symptoms worsened. By the fourth day, it “became unbearable” and she was admitted to the hospital. Carmen received oxygen treatment and tested positive for COVID-19 the following day.

Carmen says her condition continued to deteriorate to the point where she could barely breathe or speak. She had no strength and couldn’t wash herself. She was also worried about leaving her children behind.

“While I lay in my hospital bed I was consumed with thoughts that I would never see my precious family again or be able to walk outside and experience the beautiful creation or work in the community again”.

‘Please play your part in protecting others’

Today, Carmen values “the fact that [she] can breathe”. However, she still lives with the fear that she may contract it again and want the remind everyone that “COVID-19 cannot be taken lightly”.

Carmen explains that by following simple guidelines such as wearing a mask, keeping 1.5 m from others, and avoiding gatherings, we can save someone’s life. She asks South Africans to “please play your part in protecting others.”

“Don’t take being able to breathe for granted. Wear your mask and keep your distance.”