Covid-19: Ramaphosa announces mass screening project as SA death toll rises to 3

There are now 1326 confirmed cases of the Covid-19 coronavirus in South Africa, while three people have died from it, President Cyril Ramaphosa said.

“As a nation, we were deeply saddened to learn that, in the last few days, three South Africans have died from the disease,” Ramaphosa said in an address to the nation on Monday night.

“We convey our sympathies and condolences to their families and friends and to their communities.”

The president also thanked South Africans for staying at home and “observing the regulations” of the 21-day lockdown.

He warned those who weren’t appreciating the seriousness of the pandemic not to “make the mistake of thinking this is somebody else’s problem”.

“Every time you violate the regulations the government has issued or try to get around the rules, you are putting yourself and others at risk, and helping the virus to spread,” he said.

South Africa will now be entering a new phase in the fight against Covid-19, Ramaphosa said, and government will be rolling out a screening, testing, tracing and medical management programme on a huge scale.

“Around 10 000 field workers will be visiting homes in villages, towns and cities to screen residents for Covid-19 symptoms.”

Ramaphosa outlined how this “far-reaching, intensive drive” will be carried out:

• People with symptoms will be referred to local clinics or mobile clinics for testing.

• People who are infected, but who have no or moderate symptoms will remain in isolation at home or at a facility provided by government and those with severe symptoms will be transferred to hospitals.

• Using mobile technology, an extensive tracing system will be rapidly deployed to trace those who have been in contact with confirmed Covid-19 cases and to monitor the geographical location of new cases in real time.

Ramaphosa also addressed the decision on Friday by ratings agency Moody’s to downgrade South Africa to sub-investment grade.

“This will significantly increase the cost of borrowing to fund government spending and will have a negative impact on the economy,” he said, while adding that it would not diminish government’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

On a more positive note, Ramaphosa thanked the

Motsepe Foundation for its R1 billion commitment to the Covid-19 response and said Naspers had also pledged R1.5 billion.

“We are also extremely grateful to Mr Jack Ma, the founder of the China-based company Alibaba, who has donated vital medical supplies to South Africa and other countries across Africa,” he said.

Ramaphosa reiterated that “the task of our security personnel is to support, reassure and comfort our people, and to ensure peace and order is maintained”.

This comes after a police officer and a security guard were arrested for allegedly killing a man in Vosloorus and injuring four children aged between five and 11.

The man, Sibusiso Amos (41) was killed at his home in Vosloorus on Sunday, News24 reported.

“They know that they must act within the law at all times and that they must not cause harm to any of our people,” Ramaphosa said, without mentioning the incident.

“We have never experienced a situation like this before and a number of mistakes will be made, but we ask for our people’s understanding that all this is being done for the good of everyone,” he said.

“We will continue to correct the mistakes where ever they are made. But I am convinced that we will succeed, because we will take this coronavirus threat seriously, we will adapt as a society, and we will all act responsibly.”

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