Persons infected with COVID-19 to be isolated in designated facilities: Zikalala
People who test positive for COVID-19 in KwaZulu-Natal will now have to go into designated isolation facilities.
This is according to the provincial government - which isn't convinced that the current self-isolation strategy is effective.
Speaking at a briefing on Sunday, KZN Premier, Sihle Zikalala said the isolation facilities were part of a new strategy to flatten the curve of infection in KZN.
"Self-isolation is coming to an end. Once we discover that you have tested [positive], we then take you in, and that is the end. Up until you recover, then we will release back into the community."
"This is a World Health Organisation guideline, which we are at liberty to review as a country if we feel that [our current measures are] not effective."
READ: eThekwini declared COVID-19 epicentre in KZN, SA death toll rises
Health MEC, Nomagugu Simelane-Zulu says only those who've been contacted by the department will be moved to the isolation facilities.
"Once that process is concluded in the next day or two, then the department will go back and look at the history, and how the different people who are self-isolating have been conducting themselves. Those who are not adhering to the rules are definitely are going to be taken into those facilities."
She says everyone in eThekwini will be screened for COVID-19.
"We will test everyone, including those who are in rural areas. Everyone is exposed, and everyone in eThekwini moves around the same area. The whole of eThekwini is a hotspot."
