Update on the coronavirus by Premier Alan Winde - 6 January

As of 1pm on 6 January, the Western Cape has 37 984 active cases of COVID-19, with a total of 224 262 confirmed cases and 178 595 recoveries.

• View full dashboard

Municipality	Cases	Recoveries
City of Cape Town	144832	116996
Cape Winelands District Municipality	26552	20282
Central Karoo District Municipality	1921	1540
Garden Route District Municipality	28770	24832
Overberg District Municipality	9733	6993
West Coast District Municipality	8580	6363
Unallocated	3846	1563
Total	224234	178569

Col 3

Col 4

Col 5

Col 6

 Sub Districts Cape Town Metro:

Sub-districts	Cases	Recoveries
Western	22591	18340
Southern	23668	18210
Klipfontein	14140	11727
Mitchells Plain	14476	11965
Tygerberg	23388	18837
Khayelitsha	11036	9744
Eastern	20915	16678
Northern	14618	11495

Col 3

Col 4

Col 5

Col 6

 Sub Districts Non-Metro:

Municipality	Cases	Recoveries
City of Cape Town	144832	116996
Cape Winelands District Municipality	26552	20282
Breede Valley	6833	5142
Drakenstein	8011	6036
Langeberg	3266	2510
Stellenbosch	4636	3686
Witzenberg	3806	2908
Central Karoo District Municipality	1921	1540
Beaufort West	1535	1255
Laingsburg	192	157
Prince Albert	194	128
Garden Route District Municipality	28770	24832
Bitou	2405	2058
George	10474	9238
Hessequa	1380	1071
Kannaland	580	435
Knysna	4351	3861
Mossel Bay	6326	5535
Oudtshoorn	3254	2634
Overberg District Municipality	9733	6993
Cape Agulhas	1211	866
Overstrand	3635	2680
Swellendam	1220	741
Theewaterskloof	3667	2706
West Coast District Municipality	8580	6363
Bergriver	992	684
Cederberg	413	283
Matzikama	1212	928
Saldanha Bay	2691	2019
Swartland	3272	2449
Unallocated	3846	1563

Col 3

Col 4

Col 5

Col 6

The Western Cape has recorded 154 additional deaths, bringing the total number of COVID-19 related deaths in the province to 7683.  We send our condolences to their loved ones at this time.

Additional data is available on the Western Cape COVID-19 data dashboard which also features active cases per sub-district, active cases per 100 000 and 7-day moving averages. Access the data dashboard here: https://coronavirus.westerncape.gov.za/covid-19-dashboard

Visit to Mitchells Plain Hospital of Hope:

Earlier today I had the opportunity to visit the Mitchells Plain Hospital of Hope, where 200 intermediate care beds are being made available for COVID-19 patients.

The first 100 of these beds have been activated, and I was also able to see progress on the next ward which is due to open next week. A fourth ward will be completed the week after that.

I also had an opportunity to address some of the health care workers there and thank them for the incredible work that they are doing. 

In addition to caring for COVID-19 patients, the multidisciplinary team has also been hard at work ensuring that patients who had previously been in the Aquarius ward were placed in appropriate care in other facilities, setting up the remaining wards and appointing additional health care workers.

This facility was set up in just nine days, in the existing Aquarius wards. Each bed has been fitted with an oxygen point, and oxygen storage tanks have been placed on site. 

Infection control measures have also been put in place: sufficient stocks of PPE are available for frontline workers, curtains in the wards have been replaced with reflective film on the windows to filter light instead, and catering will be done at the on-site kitchens and meals served in disposable containers.

I was also pleased to hear, that like in our other Hospitals of Hope, WiFi is available for patients to video call with loved ones. This is important as visitors are not allowed in COVID wards and having a connection with family and loved ones is so important during these difficult times.

In addition to doctors and nurses, the wards will also have social workers, physiotherapists and dieticians to care for patients physical and psychological wellbeing.

I am deeply grateful to all of the people who have played a part in making this facility possible, thus ensuring that we are able to provide beds and care as we approach the peak of infections in the metro region.

The facility has already admitted over 60 patients since becoming operational on January 1, and I wish all of those who are currently admitted there, and all of those who pass through its doors well on their road to recovery.