With the COVID-19 caseload slowing in the metropole, international experience has shown that Cape Town cannot afford to rest on its laurels. Read more below:
The City of Cape Town renews its call to residents to continue being vigilant in terms of the COVID-19 pandemic.
There has been a slowdown in the number of cases reported in recent weeks, as well as fatalities, but this does not mean that the pandemic is over.
Currently, Cape Town’s overall caseload is at 65 339, and while there have been just over 57 000 recoveries, new cases and fatalities continue being recorded.
‘We have seen a definite downturn in our COVID-19 statistics, but now more than ever we need increased vigilance. I would like to turn the public’s attention to the fact that several countries around the world have had to reintroduce tougher restrictions once more, due to secondary waves of infection. This includes countries in Europe and Asia, as well as cities in Australia. These serve as a cautionary tale that we cannot afford to let our guard down, and we have to continue abiding by the health protocols advanced to mitigate the risk of exposure and transmission,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Zahid Badroodien.
Apart from the personal protective measures like social distancing, wearing a mask in public, washing hands often and thoroughly with soap and water or using hand sanitiser with an alcohol content of at least 70%, residents are also reminded to adhere to their medication regimens, particularly those with chronic illnesses.
Statistics indicate that the overwhelming majority of COVID-19 positive people who have died in the province have had one or more comorbidities.
Comorbidity is the presence of one or more additional diseases or conditions occurring with a primary medical condition. The most prevalent comorbidities in deaths due to COVID-19 across all age groups were diabetes and hypertension.
According to the Western Cape Government website, amongst comorbid individuals who succumbed to COVID the top three comorbidities per age group as at 2 June 2020:
- 20 – 39 years (30% diabetes, 25% HIV, 20% Hypertension)
- 40 – 49 years (51% diabetes, 33% HIV, 28% Hypertension)
- 50 – 59 years (70% Diabetes, 63% Hypertension, 27% HIV)
- 60 – 69 years (74% Hypertension, 58% Diabetes, 8% HIV)
- 70 years and older (58% Hypertension, 46% Diabetes, 29% Chronic Kidney Disease)
‘Persons with comorbidities are at greater risk of experiencing more severe illness if they contract COVID-19, so it is imperative that they take extra precautions to mitigate the risk of exposure. I also appeal to the public at large to get screened for diabetes, hypertension and other chronic conditions if there is any indication that they could be at risk. The City has opened a number of our clinic overflow facilities to ensure that we are able to provide general health services to the public during the pandemic, while mitigating the risk of COVID exposure. Better to have tested and started treatment for a chronic illness, than realise the risk when it is too late,’ added Councillor Badroodien.
Tips to manage comorbidities to reduce risk of COVID-19 infection
- Avoid gatherings (crowded places), stay at home
- Continue with your treatment
- Maintain a healthy lifestyle and eating habits, exercise regularly
- Reduce personal exposure to tobacco smoke
- Control your blood pressure
- Wear a cloth mask and always follow the golden rules of good hygiene (a mask alone is not enough).
End
Issued by: Media Office, City of Cape Town
Note to broadcasters – an audio clip is available here: https://soundcloud.com/ct-media/0308-badroodien-second-wave
Media enquiries: Councillor Zahid Badroodien, Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, City of Cape Town, Cell: 072 639 5773, Email: zahid.badroodien@capetown.gov.za (please always copy media.account@capetown.gov.za)