More people occupy quarantine and isolation facilities | Western Cape Government

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More people occupy quarantine and isolation facilities

1 July 2020

Media Release by Bonginkosi Madikizela, Western Cape Minister of Transport and Public Works

Quarantine and isolation facilities are key in flattening the curve. People who do not have the space to recover at home must make use of these facilities to limit the risk of infecting those living in close proximity, especially the elderly and other high risk groups.

As of Tuesday 30 June, the province has 44 activated quarantine and isolation facilities with 4672 available beds. 1069 of the beds are already occupied while 3603 others are available and ready for utilisation.

The active facilities are scattered across the province in the Cape Winelands (10), City of Cape Town (17) Garden Route (1), Overberg (7), Central Karoo (2) and the West Coast (7).

An additional 182 facilities are ready for activation should the need arise. These quarantine and isolation facilities comprise 9 670 beds.

We have in the past experienced a high rejection rate as people refused to be admitted to quarantine and isolation facilities for a variety of reasons.

This is, however, is starting to change as we are seeing a week on week  increase of people who are voluntarily admitting themselves at our facilities. This is encouraging. I would like to encourage many others to make use of our comfortable facilities in which to isolate and quarantine in order to protect their loves ones from being infected.

Through Red Dot, a partnership between the Western Cape Department of Health and the Western Cape Department of Transport and Public Works, we provide transport to and from isolation and quarantine facilities across the Cape Metro and non-Metro areas. This is an important part of government’s strategy to stop the spread of COVID-19.

Since this component of the service commenced operations on 30 May, Red Dot has transported 2 500 passengers to and from quarantine and isolation facilities. 

This forms an important part of province’s overall effort to slow the spread of Covid-19 and to save lives. In addition to Q&I facilities, the Department of Transport and Public Works has also played an instrumental role in readying field hospitals for the health department.

Today, I had the pleasure to see the 330-bed Brackengate temporary hospital with Premier Alan Winde and Minister Mbombo. This facility will be handed over to the Department of Health for them to use as an intermediate care facility.

I want to again thank all the officials who were involved in this project. You have played an important role in saving lives.

Media Enquiries: 

Ntomboxolo Makoba-Somdaka
Spokesperson for Minister Bonginkosi Madikizela
Tel: 021 483 8067
Cell: 082 953 0026
Email: Ntomboxolo.Makoba-Somdaka@westerncape.gov.za