The provincial roll-out of home screenings for the Coronavirus has received mixed reactions in Cape Town, with some people refusing to be tested and chasing health workers away.
This, as the Western Cape on Wednesday surpassed the 500 mark for infections.
In the daily Covid-19 update, Premier Alan Winde - who himself was tested for Covid-19 on Wednesday morning - stated that 31 people were admitted to hospital, with nine people receiving care in ICU.
TEST: Premier Alan Winde
“Today, the Western Cape surpassed the 500 case mark, and with every additional case we register, we increase the risk of a vulnerable person being infected,” Winde says.
“It is important that we all continue to take the necessary steps to ensure we protect ourselves and others.”
Screenings in Philippi East began on Tuesday where health workers went from door to door asking residents questions relating to the Covid-19 virus.
If found to be at risk, people are sent for testing.
INFORM: Workers talking to residents about Covid-19 in Philippi East
As the Daily Voice followed the workers in Crossroads, it proved to be a challenging task as some residents did not even give the workers a chance to ask questions.
Some would speak from a distance, saying “we do not have Corona” and ask the workers to leave immediately, resulting in them not being screened.
Screenings were also done in Khayelitsha on Wednesday, where health workers faced the same obstacles.
“People are scared,” said one resident. “It is not that we do not want to get tested.
“There are talks that if a person has it, the community will chase that person away.”
One health worker said it seems that people are not aware of the importance of screening, and possible subsequent testing for the virus.
However, landlady Phindiswa Mdisho said she did not understand people’s fears and urged everyone to get screened.
“What if I am sick and infect other people without knowing? People should get tested and if people in my yard do not want to participate in the testing, they will have to leave my property,” she warned.
It took some convincing for Illitha Park residents to participate in the screenings, but eventually 437 people came forward to answer questions, which included whether they had any symptoms like a high fever and sore throat, and whether they had been in contact with any confirmed cases.
The community screening and testing initiative started country-wide on Monday to mitigate the spread of Covid-19 in vulnerable communities.
UPHILL TASK: Healthcare field workers who are testing residents
By Tuesday, 3 930 people had been screened, including 408 people in Bo-Kaap, and 1055 in Happy Valley.
Of these, 258 people were referred for testing.
Over the next two weeks, screening will be taking place at St. Vincent Community Day Centre, Gugulethu clinic, Bloekombos Clinic, Albow Gardens Community Day Centre, Alphen Clinic, Westridge Clinic, Town 2 Clinic and Kuyasa Clinic.
The country currently has 1 749 confirmed cases and 13 people have died.
WATCH: Mense have their say about the importance of Corona home testing:
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