Tshwane embarks on screening, testing campaign
The City of Tshwane have embarked on a massive screening and testing campaign as part of the battle to contain the outbreak of Covid-19.
Spokesperson Selby Bokaba says the city’s 24 clinics are screening an average of 4 400 people a day as part of the drive to control and curb the spread of the virus.
"Fieldworkers will be visiting homes to screen communities for the coronavirus symptoms such as fever, cough and shortness of breath.
“It is important for our communities to understand that testing will only be limited to those persons that qualify as per the screening questionnaire, meaning that, not everybody will qualify to be tested.”
Those suffering from severe symptoms will be immediately transferred to hospital.
"People that exhibit Covid-19 symptoms will be referred to identified clinics for testing. Those that have tested positive for the coronavirus, but have mild symptoms, will remain in isolation at home if their home environment is suitable for self-isolation or will be placed at a facility provided by government,” says Bokaba.
He believes the campaign will assist the government in understanding the geographical location of the new cases in real time.
"Whilst our drive is to protect the community, we are very mindful that our health care workers are our biggest and very important pillar in this fight. The health workers will be wearing protective equipment such as gloves and masks and using sanitisers to prevent the spread of the virus to communities," Bokaba adds.