The Western Cape Government has expanded its COVID-19 testing criteria so that anyone in the Cape Metro and in the rural regions of the province, who is symptomatic, will be tested.

The new testing criteria now include:

• All people with coronavirus symptoms
• Pre-operative testing of coronavirus asymptomatic patients awaiting surgery
• Natural deaths occurring at home who had coronavirus symptoms.
• Health Care Workers
• Persons who previously tested positive, but have developed new symptoms (90 days after their first test)

The expansion of testing criteria in September saw an increase in the number of tests being conducted in the Western Cape, however, the average test positivity rate for the province has remained below 10%.

“This, coupled with other indicators such as the number of deaths, hospitalisations, and oxygen consumption (which currently stands at 38% of total capacity), gives us reliable evidence that infections in the province are still declining.

This does not mean that we can let our guard down, and prevention measures such as mask wearing, social distancing, and hand and surface hygiene continue to be important as we move forward.

If you are experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms, you must ensure that you quarantine yourself, and avoid contact with other people until you have been tested.

Patients with diabetes who test positive will be contacted by our VECTOR team, who will monitor your condition and who may suggest admission into a hospital facility for monitoring purposes. This team has since its launch in July, recorded excellent results in ensuring the recovery of high risk, COVID-19 patients in the province.”