Premier Alan Winde on Coronavirus Covid-19 update for 17 Jun

Update on the coronavirus by Premier Alan Winde

As of 1pm on 17 June, the Western Cape has 12 738 active cases of COVID-19, with a total of 45 767 confirmed cases and 31 824 recoveries.

Total confirmed COVID-19 cases

45767

Total recoveries

31824

Total deaths

1205

Total active cases (currently infected patients)

12738

Tests conducted

253455

Hospitalisations

1419 with 243 in ICU or high care

Sub Districts Cape Town Metro:

Sub-district

Cases

Recoveries

Western

4181

3035

Southern

4270

2998

Northern

3021

2129

Tygerberg

6406

4753

Eastern

4218

3004

Klipfontein

4911

3469

Mitchells Plain

4150

2982

Khayelitsha

5490

4335

Total

36647

26705

Sub-districts:

District

 Sub-district

Cases

Recoveries

Garden Route

Bitou

22

16

Garden Route

Knysna

95

64

Garden Route

George

201

102

Garden Route

Hessequa

18

14

Garden Route

Kannaland

3

2

Garden Route

Mossel Bay

76

34

Garden Route

Oudsthoorn

29

12

Cape Winelands

Stellenbosch

660

392

Cape Winelands

Drakenstein

1883

1109

Cape Winelands

Breede Valley

909

509

Cape Winelands

Langeberg

186

73

Cape Winelands

Witzenberg

470

330

Overberg

Overstrand

306

140

Overberg

Cape Agulhas

30

22

Overberg

Swellendam

23

15

Overberg

Theewaterskloof

234

133

West Coast

Bergrivier

155

91

​West Coast

​Cederberg

17

6

West Coast 

Matzikama

24

4

West Coast

Saldanha Bay Municipality

351

170

West Coast

Swartland

362

172

Central Karoo

Beaufort West

3

3

Unallocated: 3063 (1706 recovered)

More data is available here: https://coronavirus.westerncape.gov.za/covid-19-dashboard

The Western Cape has recorded an additional 49 deaths, bringing the total number of COVID-19 related deaths in the province to 1205. We send our condolences to their loved ones at this time.

Small business safety:

Today Minister of Economic Opportunities, David Maynier was in Mitchells Plain to hand out the first of 11 000 business safety kits which will be distributed to SMMEs and informal traders across the province.

Each kit consists of two bottles of alcohol-based hand sanitizer, ten re-usable cloth masks, posters providing information on safe practices for staff and leaflets which can be distributed to customers on shopping safety.

These 11 000 kits will be distributed across the province, with a focus on those trading in hotspot areas, and will supplement kits already distributed by the City of Cape Town.

Our hotspot strategy includes interventions from across many of our departments as slowing the spread of the virus requires a whole of government approach. We are working closely with businesses and business organisations in our hotspots to help slow the spread of the virus. Small businesses and informal traders have an important role to play as they are very often based right in the heart of the communities they serve. These kits will help to minimise the spread of the virus, share information and help the businesses keep their staff and customers safe.

Dexamethasone:

Researchers in the UK have released incredibly positive initial findings around the use of the steroid Dexamethasone in critically ill COVID-19 patients. These preliminary findings have shown a reduction in mortality in patients who are being ventilated and to a lesser degree, in those who require oxygen support. The drug has been in use since the 1960s, and is widely available with several generic versions in production, making it affordable too.

Yesterday, Minister Zweli Mkhize indicated that while we wait for the results of the full study to be made available, the use of the drug could be considered for COVID-19 positive patients who are being mechanically ventilated, and patients who require oxygen support. The Western Cape Department of Health has received the recommendations of the Ministerial Advisory Committee and we are currently finalising the clinical protocols for the use of the drug.

I must however stress that this drug is not a cure and it is not for use in patients with milder symptoms. We are however encouraged that it has the potential to be life-saving for some of the people most severely impacted by this disease.

Province

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