The North West Health Department, led by MEC Madoda Sambatha, announced the enforcement of this rule across the province on Thursday, after two Covid-19 positive patients – one from Rustenburg and the other from Bloemhof – went awol following their diagnosis. The former was found in Mahikeng a week after testing positive, while the latter was found by officials at a farm near Welkom in the Free State. Department spokesperson, Tebogo Lekgethwane, tells OFM News once Sambatha has received the written request for self-quarantine, he will send a team of clinicians to assess the suitability of the residence for self-quarantine. Lekgethwane motivates why this measure is feasible.  

“We think it’s feasible. The MEC is not a one-person show. He is the office. And the office is at liberty at all time to advise the MEC on what’s to be done. If for example there are cases coming, it is the same district chief directors that need to motivate why a person must be placed under self-quarantine,” says Lekgethwane.  

Thus far the North West has 15 confirmed cases of the coronavirus, with zero deaths reported. 

Meanwhile, Premier Job Mokgoro, is today leading mass screening, testing and tracing in the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District Municipality which includes the cities of Potchefstroom and Klerksdorp. About 15 098 people have been screened across three days and 16 were referred for further testing. 

OFM News