Apart from vaccination, which remains key to limiting the impact of a fourth wave of Covid-19, the City’s Environmental Health Service is also promoting non-pharmaceutical interventions like mask wearing, and handwashing to fight Covid-19 and the expected increase in diarrhoeal disease, which is prevalent during the warmer months.

The City of Cape Town’s Health Department continues to promote interventions to curb the spread of Covid-19.

However, staff are expanding the net to also mitigate the potential risks of an increase in diarrheal disease, which is prevalent between November and May.

Children under five are particularly susceptible to diarrhoea.

Handwashing remains the most effective tool in reducing the risk of spreading diarrhoea, and is also one of the non-pharmaceutical interventions for the management of Covid-19.

‘As we deal with a resurgence in Covid-19 cases in the metropole, our Environmental Health Practitioners continue to note an increase in non-adherence to the wearing of masks and sanitising in communities. While much remains unknown about the new Omicron variant, it does appear to be more transmissible, and so our appeal to the public is to go back to basics to protect themselves and their loved ones.

‘And, if we are washing or sanitising our hands regularly, we are also reducing the risk of spreading germs that can cause diarrheal disease. Young children are at risk of severe illness and even death from diarrhoea, and these simple actions can literally save lives. It is the end of the year and people want to let their hair down, but we need to do so responsibly, for everyone’s benefit,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Patricia van der Ross.

COVID-19 OVERVIEW

There has been a 700% increase in caseload in the metropole in the past week, with an average of 500 new confirmed cases per day

Currently, the number of active cases is nearing 5 000, although, at the moment, hospital admissions and fatalities remain low

The Western and Southern Health sub-districts have the highest number of infections

The epidemiological profile of the Omicron variant has not been fully established, so caution remains key

In the Western Cape, 44% of the adult population is fully vaccinated

At least 51% of those over 18 have had at least one vaccine dose

The Mitchell’s Plain and Khayelitsha sub-districts continue to have the lowest rates of vaccine registration

From an Environmental Health perspective, 98,5% of establishments inspected in the past week were compliant with Covid-19 protocols

The wearing of masks in outside public areas and lack of social distancing, as well as non-adherence with mask protocols in taxis are concerns

‘We are not out of the woods. All indications are that the Western Cape will enter a fourth wave of Covid-19 infections soon. It’s imperative that those who have not yet been vaccinated, do so urgently. Vaccinations are proven to reduce severe illness. We thank those individuals who participated in the most recent Vooma vaccination weekend. City staff administered more than 2 000 doses, more than half of which were in Khayelitsha. Every vaccine administered is a step forward in the fight against this pandemic,’ added Councillor Van der Ross.

Source: City Of Cape Town