Screening for Coronavirus infections started in Khayelitsha over the weekend.
Mass home testing is expected to begin today with health officials visiting homes.
On Friday, Premier Alan Winde announced that the Western Cape Department of Health has identified seven areas where community screening will be conducted.
“I can confirm that in fact community screening has already begun in Happy Valley and Ilitha Park. Credit must be given to the teams at the Department of Health who are implementing this programme so quickly,” he said.
Winde also said that community screening is still scheduled to commence in other Cape Town Metro sub-districts, “in some areas, we’ve already begun loud hailing operations to make the communities aware”.
Ward councillor of Ilitha Park Xolisa Peter welcomed the screenings: “We are happy that people are screened.
“People must know their status and I was happy to see large numbers of people coming to get tested.
“Many people were turned away because they did not fall under the category of people who must be screened.”
She explained that people are first asked to fill in a form which will then determine whether the person should be screened or not.
“People are showing interest and others were anxious about their results,” adds Peter.
Meanwhile, the Khayelitsha woman who was the first recorded case in the township has been cleared of the virus.
The Department of Health’s Mark van der Heever did not provide more information on this.