No confirmed COVID-19 cases in Rustenburg

Rustenburg – Democratic Alliance (DA) councillors Nelio Nhacuangue and Illse Edwards were accompanied to Job Shimankana Tabane (JST) provincial hospital for an oversight visit following widespread rumours in Rustenburg that a patient at the hospital was being treated for COVID-19. 

The oversight inspection revealed that there are no patients at JST being treated for COVID-19, also known as Coronavirus. 

The hospital assured residents of Rustenburg that it is ready to treat any patient showing signs of COVID-19 as holding hospital. 

We urge people of Rustenburg to remain calm, to follow basic hygiene protocols, such as regularly washing hands with soap and water and limiting touching the facial area. 

We further call on residents to approach their healthcare practitioner should they experience any flu-like symptoms. Residents should also guard against misinformation shared on social media. If in doubt, please contact a qualified medical professional. 

The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NCID) will update health authorities and the public regularly on Covid-19 infections. This remains the official channel of communication on infections.

Measures are in place to assist persons who have been taken ill. We are pleading with Rustenburg residents to refrain from spreading unfounded or alleged cases of the Coronavirus. 

Should cases be confirmed here, the NCID will officially communicate this to the broader public.
DA press release dated 9 March 2020