The provincial health department has flagged the town of Bethulie in particular, as a coronavirus hotspot in that region. The number of COVID-19 cases in the region pales in comparison to those in Mangaung, however it is higher than all the other remaining districts. According to the latest statistics released by the provincial health department, Xhariep has 21 confirmed COVID-19 cases, with 95% of those being found in the Kopanong Local Municipality which includes flagged Bethulie, Trompsburg and Fauresmith. In mid-May Bloem Water was forced to shut down its Orange River Regional Office in Bethulie after one of the water board’s employees tested positive for the novel virus.

Bloem Water spokesperson, Kido Thoabala, revealed to OFM News at the time that they were going to disinfect the closed offices before reopening. Thoabala also said the treatment works were not exposed, and will therefore continue to operate.  “The entity acted swiftly in responding to the incident and all is under control. The entity continues to supply water in this and other regions," stressed Thoabala at the time. She further says the company's employees are urged to continue observing social distancing, wear face masks at all times and wash their hands with soap or use hand sanitisers regularly, as provided at all workplaces. The health department is yet to confirm how many of the Bloem Water employee’s contacts ended up with the virus.

The department has on social media warned against complacency setting efforts back in the least affected regions, namely: Fezile Dabi District which includes Kroonstad, Sasolburg and Parys as well as Lejweleputswa, which includes Bothaville, Theunissen and Brandfort. The sum of the cases in both those provinces is equal to that in Thaba Mofutsanyana, and less than Xhariep and the worrisome Mangaung area.

OFM News