The Northern Cape has recorded one additional positive person in Sol Plaatje Local Municipality.

The provincial health department stated on Tuesday night that this person was self isolating at home and family members were also quarantined while awaiting their test results.

“It’s important to know what to do if you feel sick,” the department said in a statement. 
“The coronavirus epidemic is making everyone aware of hand washing and protecting others from coughs and sneezes. Along with those essential steps, practices such as social and physical distancing, self-quarantine and isolation, when appropriate, can slow the rate of infection in a city, town or community.”

It added that while the epidemic can seem overwhelming, ‘in truth, every person can help slow down the spread of Covid-19’. “By doing your part, you can make a big difference to your health, and that of others around you.“

People who have a cough, a fever or difficulty breathing, and are worried that they may have Covid-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus, are recommended to do the following:
1. Stay home and call for advice from you local hospital or the NICD Covid-19 Hotline 0800 029 999.
Unless it is an emergency, to reduce your risk of catching or spreading illness, stay home if you feel sick, even if your symptoms are mild. Do not go to work, school or public places, and avoid public transportation.
If your symptoms are severe or you feel like you need medical care, call before you go to to your hospital or clinic. Describe your symptoms over the phone.
If you have a medical emergency, call for and ambulance and tell the control room about your symptoms.

2. Answer questions to determine your risk
When you call a health care facility, you will be asked about your risks for Covid-19. Risk factors include recent travel to certain countries or areas within South Africa, or exposure to an infected person.
For instance, you are likely to be asked:
– Have you had close contact with someone diagnosed with Covid-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus? (close contact means having been within 1-2 metres of that person for an extended time, or being exposed to their cough or sneeze.)
– Do you have a cough, fever, shortness of breath, muscle aches, sore throat, unexplained loss of taste or smell, diarrhea or headache?
– Has a public health official said you were potentially exposed to Covid-19?

3. Follow your health care provider’s instructions
Based on your answers to these questions, the care provider will provide instructions over the phone. You will be told if you need to be evaluated, and if so, what to do next. Based on your risk for COVID-19, your health care provider may recommend that you:
– Continue to monitor your health and call back if you develop a fever or respiratory symptoms.
– Stay home and await further instructions.
– Report to a designated medical care facility for evaluation and treatment. It’s best to go alone to your appointment. Do not bring children or other family members unless you need assistance.
– Go to an emergency department if you have more severe symptoms, such as higher fever and severe shortness of breath.

4. Practice hand Hygiene and respiratory etiquette
If you do leave your home to go to a care facility, wear a cloth mask or scarf over your nose and mouth so your coughs and sneezes are less likely to infect others – this is the law.
Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water (for at least 20 seconds) after sneezing, blowing your nose, coughing or using the bathroom, and before preparing or eating food.
If you cough or sneeze, do so into the bend of your elbow, not your hand. Or use a tissue, and then throw it away immediately afterward.
At home, clean often-touched surfaces such as doors and doorknobs, cabinet handles, bathroom hardware, tabletops, phones, tablets and keyboards regularly with disinfectant.

5. Stay calm
The possibility of having an infectious illness is scary, but doctors, nurses and other caregivers are learning more about Covid-19 every day. They are working together with national and international agencies to identify and provide care to patients while avoiding spread of the illness in the community.
“The Northern Cape has significantly less cases per million population than the provinces with large metros such as the Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Gauteng and KwaZulu Natal. However, we must not be complacent as we have more cases per million population than the North West, Mpumalanga and Limpopo,” the department added. “It’s important to look after each other and look out for each other.“