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A 26 years old female suspected of COVID 19 has been transferred from Joe Morolong Memorial Hospital (JMMH) in Vryburg to Klerksdorp/Tshepong Hospital. She is currently under the care of the Medical Team.

All necessary protective measures have been taken by both Klerksdorp/Tshepong Hospital Complex and JMMH to deal with the issues involved.

North West Health MEC Madoda Sambatha is urging communities to remain calm and wait for confirmation of laboratory tests.

MEC Sambatha also said only the Minister will declare or communicate the results of the Coronavirus tests after laboratory results are confirmed by the National Institute for Communicable Diseases. 

"There is no need for the communities in the North West Province to panic. The National Minister of Health will make the official statement on the matter after consulting NICD", said MEC Sambatha.

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is characterized by mild symptoms including a runny nose, sore throat, cough, and fever of more than 38 degrees. Illness can be more severe for some people and can lead to pneumonia or breathing difficulties. Individuals are urged to be awareness of these symptoms and take precautions. 

The World Health Organization advices basic precautionary measures for prevention. These are:

• Regularly and thoroughly clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water.
• Maintain at least 1 metre (3 feet) distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing.
• Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth
• Make sure you, and the people around you, follow good respiratory hygiene. This means covering your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze. Then dispose of the used tissue immediately.

More rarely, the disease can be fatal. Older people, and people with other medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease), may be more vulnerable to becoming severely ill.

Issued by North West Health