01 Nov 2020

 Residents of Selebi Phikwe have commended government for undertaking a COVID-19 sentinel surveillance study.

A hawker, Ms Josephinah Matlakala, said the study would allow them to test for COVID-19 pandemic because they get in contact with a lot of people on daily basis.

She said their trade was risky during this time of COVID-19, adding that it was difficult to identify people infected with corona virus.

Ms Matlakala said early testing would make it easier for health workers to isolate and contain any COVID-19 case.

However, she raised concern over members of the public who refused to comply with COVID-19 protocols, adding that they put the lives of many at risk.

She said some customers refused to sanitise before they could be assisted while some went to the extent of refusing to register their names as required. Ms Akanyang Ramarumo, a hairdresser, added that she had participated in the study by testing for COVID-19.

She echoed sentiments that hairdressers were in contact with many customers daily, hence being susceptible to the virus.

She said the exercise would help to reduce COVID-19 transmission since cases would be detected earlier.

Greater Selebi Phikwe District Health Management Team coordinator, Mr Mpaphi Mbulawa, said 110 clients would be tested per week or a total of 1 320 clients at the end of December.

He said so far the surveillance reported one case of COVID-19.

He added that six sites had been identified where the survey would be conducted and they included the bus/taxi terminal targeting bus or taxi drivers, conductors and vendors as well as the mall where cashiers and security personnel would be targeted.

The other sites were Selebi Phikwe Government Hospital and Botshabelo clinic targeting health workers and patients.

Botshabelo police and Selebi Phikwe Technical College would also be involved. Ends