The Bojanala District Command Council has noted that Rustenburg has become the COVID-19 hotspot in the district
As the numbers of Covid_19 infections keep rising, Bojanala District Command Council has raised concern about some members of communities not complying with the COVID-19 health guidelines.
As at 26 July 2020 North West has recorded 17 338 infections with 6431 recoveries and 48 deaths.
According to the Statistics released by the Provincial Health Department, Bojanala district has the highest numbers of COVID-19 infections at 10 463 with 4322 recoveries, followed by Dr Kenneth Kaunda at 4429 with 1593 recoveries, Ngaka Modiri Molema at 1781 with 400 recoveries and Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati at 563 with 116 recoveries.
Rustenburg is the Provincial epicenter with 8031 COVID-19 infections followed by Matlosana with 2938, JB Marks with 1369, Madibeng with 1262 and Moses Kotane with 979.
The number of hospitalized patients is 470 with 40 in ICU, 158 on Oxygen, 30 in High Care and 31 requiring ventilation.
The Bojanala District Municipality said in a statement that it is seriously concerned about the high level of non-compliance in the district. This is as the number of reported cases of Covid-19 increase exponentially.
During its weekly virtual meeting on Thursday, 23 July 2020, the District Command Council has raised concern that the number of infected people in the district is growing at an alarming rate.
According to the Municipality Spokesperson, Archie Babeile, 5 District Municipality employees have tested positive for COVID-19 currently. The latest cases were recorded at Kgetleng Fire Station in Koster and within the office of the District Municipal Manager.
The two fire fighters had consulted the doctor separately after experiencing flu symptoms earlier in the week. One fire fighter is in a pro-active section, a straight shift staff. He went for the test on Monday, 20 July 2020 and received the results the following day and currently in hospital.
Babeile said the other fire fighter who is a shift worker, was on duty over the weekend. She also went for the tests and confirm to be positive on the 22 July 2020.
The station remained opened for members of the public to access emergency services.
Speaking of the cases within the District Municipality, The BPDM Executive Mayor, Mme Fetsang Molosiwa said:
We are aware that our fire fighters are one of those that are at the forefront in fighting the spread of the virus, these are not good news and we wish all BPDM employees speedy recovery.
In responding to escalating cases, the Department of Health in the district has on going interventions of having additional quarantine facilities and general additional hospital capacity.
The Department said they have elevated the evaluation and accreditation the facilities for the purpose of quarantine with over 1800 beds available.
Non Compliance during funerals
The Bojanala District Command Council also identified the issue of burials of Covid-19 victims as another thorny issue.
People attend these funerals in high numbers. Less observation on social distancing and followed by unnecessary gatherings such as after tears thereafter.
The Executive Mayor of Bojanala Platinum District Municipality, Cllr Fetsang Molosiwa, who chairs the Command Council, has expressed her concern on the level of non-compliance in the townships and rural communities.
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She appealed to all ward councillors and ward committee members to assist law enforcement authorities to ensure that communities comply with all Covid-19 regulations, particularly during funerals and other gatherings.
Meanwhile, the following areas have been identified as hotspots in Rustenburg:
- Freedom Park
- Kroondal
- Rustenburg CBD
- Tlhabane West
- Boitekong
- Meriting
- Mfidikwe
- Cashan and Marikana
The Rustenburg Local Municipality Mayor, Mpho Khunou who also raised concern about non compliance with COVID-19 health measures, has called on law enforcement agencies to ramp up their effort, to deal decisively with this non compliance to slow the rate of infection.