Follow this link to get the latest information: COVID-19 Updates
As South Africans are trying to come to terms with our first confirmed case of the coronavirus, a third case was confirmed on Sunday morning, 8 March 2020. South Africa’s Minister of Health, Zweli Mkhize, addressed a media briefing on the coronavirus at the South African Parliament on Thursday, 5 March in Cape Town regarding the first case of the COVID-19 and explained that the first confirmed case was a 38-year-old male who travelled to Italy. On Saturday, 7 March a 39-year-old woman from Gauteng, who was a direct contact to the first case from KwaZulu-Natal, was announced as the second confirmed corona case in South Africa.
These two individuals were part of a group of 10 people who travelled to Italy. International news giant, CNN, reported on Sunday that Italy announced a lockdown as global coronavirus cases surpassed 105,000. The announcement came after Italy saw a dramatic spike of 1,247 confirmed novel coronavirus cases on Saturday and Italian Prime Minister, Giuseppe Conte, signed a decree Sunday that will put millions of people across Italy under lock down. This coincided with South Africa’s third confirmed corona case, the wife of South Africa’s first novel coronavirus patient was diagnosed with COVID-19.
“He was upbeat and jovial. I also spoke to the doctor who is treating him. She confirmed that this patient is responding well.”
However, Minister Zweli Mkhize said he had spoken to the first confirmed patient this morning, “He was upbeat and jovial. I also spoke to the doctor who is treating him. She confirmed that this patient is responding well and is now asymptomatic. At the right time, as determined by the treating doctors, the patient will be retested to check his recovery progress,” Mkhize said.
Meanwhile, a young South African doctor, Doctor Brett Lyndall Singh, originally from Howick, South Africa, is working towards restricting the impact of the virus as part of an Anti-Epidemic Team in China. He is also actively trying to educate individuals on the facts about COVID-19.
After matriculating from St. Charles College in Pietermaritzburg in 2010, Doctor Singh (26) went on to do vocational training at Greys Hospital before commencing his medical studies in 2011 at the Wenzhou Medical University in China’s Zhejiang Province. This is where he is currently doing clinical practice and research at the 2nd Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital.
Despite being based in China, he continues to fly the South African flag high and is the Student Representative of the Shanghai Consulate General of South Africa and a Global Ambassador for Brand South Africa, representing South Africans in China, in partnership with Brand South Africa. “I currently work in the midst of where everything started, and actively engage with various organisations here to educate individuals on COVID-19. We need to educate people on the myths and realities about this virus. Misinformation, and ignorance in this matter can be crippling to the healthcare infrastructure, the economy, and the morale of a country. Knowledge is key,” says Doctor Singh.
“Misinformation, and ignorance in this matter can be crippling to the healthcare infrastructure, the economy, and the morale of a country. Knowledge is key.”
With Wenzhou being one of the areas in China that has been hit the hardest by COVID-19, Dr. Singh decided to remain in the city in the wake of the epidemic. He highlighted that people should not allow media and to awaken fear in them, they need to stay calm, “This is taking a psychological toll on people in the area. Fear is consuming some, which is damaging to a person’s well being. Focus on prevention and keeping yourself healthy.”
Doctor Brett Lyndall Singh, originally from Howick, South Africa, is working towards restricting the impact of the virus as part of an Anti-Epidemic Team in China.
Apart from working long shifts at the hospital, Singh also regularly takes to social media where he posts daily informative videos pertaining to the coronavirus while also offering words of encouragement to those who are ill. We requested an informative video from Doctor Singh, (embedded below) and he will be updating our #ImStaying community and fellow South Africans as time allows him to. Due to the plethora of information pertaining to the virus becoming readily available, it is imperative that the general public are able to identify what is fact and what is nothing but fear mongering. “We need to question the authenticity of the information that we consume, and make sure we are not wasting time by watching news 24/7. Make a difference in your community by taking advantage of this opportunity to help out wherever you can! Do not stay idle!”
“Make a difference in your community by taking advantage of this opportunity to help out wherever you can! Do not stay idle!”
Basic protective measures against the new coronavirus:
- Wash your hands frequently
Regularly and thoroughly clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water .
Why? Washing your hands with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand rub kills viruses that may be on your hands. - Maintain social distancing. Maintain at least 1 metre (3 feet) distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing.
Why? When someone coughs or sneezes they spray small liquid droplets from their nose or mouth which may contain virus. If you are too close, you can breathe in the droplets, including the COVID-19 virus if the person coughing has the disease. - Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth
Why? Hands touch many surfaces and can pick up viruses. Once contaminated, hands can transfer the virus to your eyes, nose, or mouth. From there, the virus can enter your body and can make you sick. - Practice respiratory hygiene. Make sure you, and the people around you, follow good respiratory hygiene. This means covering your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze. Then dispose of the used tissue immediately.
Why? Droplets spread virus. By following good respiratory hygiene you protect the people around you from viruses such as cold, flu, and COVID-19. - If you have a fever, cough, and difficulty breathing, seek medical care early. Stay home if you feel unwell. If you have a fever, cough, and difficulty breathing, seek medical attention and call in advance. Follow the directions of your local health authority.
Why? National and local authorities will have the most up-to-date information on the situation in your area. Calling in advance will allow your health care provider to quickly direct you to the right health facility. This will also protect you and help prevent spread of viruses and other infections.
More Printable Advice: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public
Doctor Singh and #ImStaying will update you with a video series on this virus. We can get through this together. STAY TUNED FOR MORE DETAILS
Please watch for symptoms and emergency warning signs. Pay attention for potential COVID-19 symptoms including, fever, cough, and shortness of breath.
Watch Video 1 in Our Series to on the #Coronavirus :
If you feel like you are developing symptoms, call your doctor.
If you develop emergency warning signs for COVID-19 get medical attention immediately. In adults, emergency warning signs*:
Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath.
Persistent pain or pressure in the chest.
New confusion or inability to arouse.
Bluish lips or face
At present, Doctor Singh is working with a special anti-epidemic task force team at the Wenzhou Medical University, and these are some of their roles during #COVID-19:
● They help to take daily temperature checks together with recording detailed patient history and psychological evaluation of all students and workers in our quarantined area, situated in Chashan Campus.
● They report any of their findings directly to the hospital so that any cases can be taken to the fever clinic for PCR testing for infection of COVID-19.
● They are in charge of any emergency medical cases (non-COVID-19 related) in their quarantined area, and make sure they are properly managed at the closest hospital.
● Any cases that are non-COVID-19 related would be checked at the clinic within the quarantined area.
● They also offer online medical consultation so that patients that do not necessarily need to visit the hospital, can be handled remotely.
● They report any severe cases and send them to isolation wards where the infectious diseases doctors will be the ones heading the management of these patients.
● They work with the Chinese Media to help educate and spread true data about #COVID-19 in Wenzhou, China.
Doctor Singh’s Page: https://www.facebook.com/Dr.Brett.Lyndall/
Compiled By: Joanita van Wyk
Keep sharing your good news with us and for more positive and uplifting stories visit us at #ImStaying
GOOD THOUGHTS • GOOD WORDS • GOOD DEEDS
