WATCH: Corona transmission and response measures.
Corona virus has become a global pandemic affecting families, communities and nations with immense social and economic consequences. South Africa, as part of the global community, has not been spared from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. With increasing infection and death rates being recorded in the country, no effort has been spared in identifying and providing key insights into this disease from a medical point of view but also deploying necessary measures to mitigate its effect on human lives and the social-economic well-being of the country.
What type of transmission findings have come to the fore?
Respiratory transmission
From the beginning, the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have said that SARS-CoV-2 is a respiratory virus, and as such, it is mainly transmitted between people through “respiratory droplets” when infected people sneeze or cough.
Aerosol transmission
For the virus to spread through coughing or sneezing, it would have to stay suspended in the air long enough to infect passers-by. This has proven to be another complicating factor in figuring out transmission. This suggests that the virus can be routinely transmitted via aerosols, though other routes of transmission such as large droplets being emitted during singing or speech.
Contact transmission
There’s one other route that’s thought to play a role in the spread of COVID-19, this is contact transmission. In this situation, viral particles emitted from the respiratory tract of an infected individual land on a surface. Then, another person touches that object, then touches their nose, mouth or eyes. The virus sneaks into the body via the mucous membranes, infecting the second person. This can happen through communication gadgets, utensils, pens, etc.
In order to respond to the increasing numbers of infections and deaths, various response interventions have been put in place both at community and national level.
Response interventions put in place
Screening and testing centres
Government has introduced an extensive screening and testing program in various communities across the country. High-density areas in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, Bloemfontein, for example have been earmarked for this exercise. A screening procedure determines whether a person qualifies for a Covid-19 test. This procedure is especially designed for those who have had contact with confirmed cases, or people who have been exposed to Covid-19 environments. Around 10 000 field workers are currently visiting townships, villages, towns and cities to screen residents for Covid-19 symptoms.
The government has ensured that the field workers, frontline workers and all workers coming into contact with Covid-19 positive patients, and other infectious diseases are provided with adequate personal protective equipment.
Private medical service providers such as Lancet Laboratories, Discovery Health Medical Scheme and the Government Employees Medical Scheme (GEMS) have all stepped up to offer testing facilities in collaboration with Government.
Multisectoral response
A multi-sectoral approach was created with private and public sector institutions joining hands to respond to various challenges in health, business, security, etc. What are some of these responses?
IDC Facility
The President announced that the IDC has put a package together with the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition of more than R3 billion for industrial funding to address the situation of vulnerable firms and to fast-track financing for companies critical to the efforts to fight the virus and its economic impact.
Competition exemptions for banks and for retail
Government issued an exemption to banks under the Competition Act to coordinate on measures which can be used to support businesses and ordinary citizens during this period.
The exemptions allow South African banks to work together to devise programmes and relief measures which can help small businesses and consumers through these financial and economic challenges. These exemptions enable banks to coordinate in respect of: payment holidays and debt relief for business and individual citizens subject to financial stress, limitations have been set on asset repossessions of business and individual citizens subject to financial stress, the extension of credit lines to individuals and businesses subject to financial stress, etc.
Solidarity fund
President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the creation of the Solidarity Response Fund, which is designed to unite the nation and to accelerate the country’s response to Covid-19.The focus of the fund is to alleviate the suffering and distress caused by the virus and will mobilise the support of business and civil society in support of government’s efforts in response to Covid-19. Government has made R150 million available as an initial seed funding and a number of businesses are currently contributing. R100m of this seed fund is from National Treasury; and R50m from the National Lotteries. This facility has been made available to South African owned businesses.
Restricted movements
As of midnight, on 26 March, all but essential movement is prohibited. The leaving of a residence is only permitted to buy essential goods, seek medical attention, buy medical products, collect social grants, attend a funeral of no more than 50 people, or access public transport for essential services during specified times. Leaving the house for exercise or to walk a dog is not permitted. Movement between provinces and districts is prohibited.
Initiatives for the vulnerable
In order to cater for the needs of vulnerable groups such as the homeless, community shelters have been established with government and other community-based organisations catering for their needs.
The Corona pandemic and response initiatives are better summed up by Terrence Kommal-a former military doctor who served as part of the president’s medical team, who now serves at Medical Expert Consulting Group.
“The view of the private sector and industry is not looking at this crisis as a government problem, this is about us as a country and a people, the more deaths and infections are reported, the more you realise the next person could be your family member, it could be me next, I’m delighted with peers who have rallied from different sectors in South Africa, Africa and the world at large to share resources and knowledge”, said Terrence.
Additional information source: Livescience.com
