BOOTS ON THE GROUND IN THE OVERBERG DISTRICT - 22 July 2021

Over the past weeks The Western Cape Department of Health in partnership with NPO partners, have embarked on a registration drive and vaccination of the bedridden in the Overberg. This forms part of the Department’s continued proactive plan to identify communities with low registration, engage around strategies that work locally and proceed to bring opportunities to register and vaccinate vulnerable community members closer to home.

The Boots on the Ground initiative involves a partnership between the Department and local NPO’s where community health workers walk door-to-door in the community they serve to help residents who are eligible to get their COVID-19 vaccine to register. They also identify those who are bedridden to receive their vaccines in their homes.

Partners John Dickson (70) and Trish Sweetnum (65) were recently vaccinated in their home in Sandbaai, Hermanus. According to Trish, who has not been able to leave her bed for the past three years, she felt happy and relaxed to be vaccinated in her home. “We must get vaccinated especially those who are bedridden because we are vulnerable and have a greater chance of dying,” says Trish. Both John and Trish says they are so grateful for the opportunity they were afforded, and go on to thank the nurses for their kindness and fun conversation during the visit.

Gibson Mboyiya, an 84-year-old from Zwelihle, Hermanus, was also one of the people eligible to be vaccinated at home. According to his caregiver and brother, Maxim Mboyiya, the family is so grateful that Gibson was able to receive his vaccine at home as he can no longer walk long distances and they can now rest assured that he is protected against severe COVID-19.

Across the Province, the Department of Health, in partnership with local NPOs and other stakeholders, will continue to conduct door-to-door registration and activations in malls as part of the Department’s “Boots on the Ground” campaign to increase the level of registration and vaccination in the community.

Call on eligible age groups
We urge any citizen 60 years and older who has not registered or have not received an appointment, to please present to their closest public sector vaccination site for assisted registration and vaccination. The first dose for 60-year and older remains the highest priority at the moment.

Remember over 35s, 50s and 60s, you can register at no cost by:
Using the USSD service: dial *134*832# (data free) from your phone to start the registration process or send the word “REGISTER” to 0600 123 456 on WhatsApp or visit http://vaccine.enroll.health.gov.za. You can also access this link on our website, www.westerncape.gov.za.

ENDS

For media queries contact:

Roché Butler
Communications
Western Cape Government: Health
Tel: +27 28 214 5833
Cell: +27 68 074 2455
E-mail: Roche.Butler@westerncape.gov.za
Website: www.westerncape.gov.za

Here are the latest number of #Coronavirus cases per town in the Overberg.

Overstrand (Cases, Recovered, Active)
Fisherhaven 76 | 61 | 13 (and 2 deaths)
Gansbaai 304 | 241 | 56 (and 7 deaths)
De Kelders 69 | 54 | 11 (and 4 deaths)
Blompark 303 | 232 | 66 (and 5 deaths)
Masakhane 278 | 268 | 3 (and 7 deaths)
Pearly Beach 52 | 45 | 4 (and 3 deaths)
Uilkraalsmond 11 | 8 | 1 (and 2 deaths)
Franskraal 81 | 63 | 15 (and 3 deaths)
Kleinbaai 24 | 15 | 7 (and 2 deaths)
Baardskeerdersbos 8 | 7 | 1
Hawston 762 | 661 | 73 (and 28 deaths)
Hermanus 1154 | 1005 | 118 (and 31 deaths)
Kleinmond 735 | 687 | 27 (and 21 deaths)
Betties Bay 106 | 91 | 15 (and 0 deaths)
Pringle Bay 78 | 71 | 7 (and 0 deaths)
Mt Pleasant 517 | 448 | 49 (and 20 deaths)
Onrus 357 | 310 | 26 (and 21 deaths)
Sandbaai 409 | 345 | 55 (and 9 deaths)
Stanford 460 | 418 | 26 (and 16 deaths)
Vermont 192 | 166 | 22 (and 4 deaths)
Zwelihle 1188 | 1126 | 35 (and 27 deaths)
TOTAL 7164 | 6322 | 630 (and 212 deaths)

TWK (Cases, Recovered, Active)
Botrivier 313 | 282 | 19 (and 12 deaths)
Caledon 1701 | 1546 | 94 (and 61 deaths)
Elgin 98 | 90 | 1 (and 7 deaths)
Genadendal 211 | 201 | 5 (and 5 deaths)
Grabouw 2072 | 1907 | 83 (and 82 deaths)
Greyton 115 | 106 | 6 (and 3 deaths)
Riviersonderend 426 | 390 | 16 (and 20 deaths)
Villiersdorp 785 | 701 | 55 (and 29 deaths)
Voorstekraal/Berea 33 | 26 | 3 (and 4 deaths)
TOTAL 5754 | 5249 | 282 (and 223 deaths)

Swellendam (Cases, Recovered, Active)
Barrydale 258 | 209 | 41 (and 8 deaths)
Buffeljagsrivier 235 | 196 | 34 (and 5 deaths)
Suurbraak 337 | 281 | 42 (and 14 deaths)
Swellendam 1802 | 1555 | 192 (and 55 deaths)
TOTAL 2632 | 2241 | 309 (and 82 deaths)

Cape Agulhas (Cases, Recovered, Active)
Bredasdorp 1382 | 1176 | 135 (and 71 deaths)
Elim 99 | 92 | 0 (and 7 deaths)
Napier 219 | 184 | 26 (and 9 deaths)
Struisbaai 235 | 205 | 17 (and 13 deaths)
Waenhuiskrans 81 | 72 | 6 (and 3 deaths)
TOTAL 2016 | 1729 | 184 (and 103 deaths)

COUNCIL MEETING

Notice is hereby given that a Virtual Council meeting of the Overberg District Municipality will be held on Monday, 23 August 2021 at 10:30.

MR DP BERETTI
MUNICIPAL MANAGER
19.07.2021

Published 2021-07-19

Here are the latest number of #Coronavirus cases per town in the Overberg.

Overstrand (Cases, Recovered, Active)
Fisherhaven 74 | 60 | 12 (and 2 deaths)
Gansbaai 294 | 232 | 56 (and 6 deaths)
De Kelders 63 | 51 | 8 (and 4 deaths)
Blompark 287 | 213 | 71 (and 3 deaths)
Masakhane 276 | 268 | 1 (and 7 deaths)
Pearly Beach 52 | 44 | 5 (and 3 deaths)
Uilkraalsmond 10 | 8 | 0 (and 2 deaths)
Franskraal 79 | 63 | 13 (and 3 deaths)
Kleinbaai 22 | 14 | 6 (and 2 deaths)
Baardskeerdersbos 7 | 7 | 0
Hawston 757 | 653 | 78 (and 26 deaths)
Hermanus 1141 | 997 | 114 (and 30 deaths)
Kleinmond 731 | 685 | 26 (and 20 deaths)
Betties Bay 102 | 90 | 12 (and 0 deaths)
Pringle Bay 75 | 70 | 5 (and 0 deaths)
Mt Pleasant 512 | 436 | 58 (and 18 deaths)
Onrus 354 | 307 | 27 (and 20 deaths)
Sandbaai 397 | 343 | 45 (and 9 deaths)
Stanford 452 | 404 | 34 (and 14 deaths)
Vermont 186 | 163 | 19 (and 4 deaths)
Zwelihle 1184 | 1122 | 35 (and 27 deaths)
TOTAL 7055 | 6230 | 625 (and 200 deaths)

TWK (Cases, Recovered, Active)
Botrivier 313 | 275 | 26 (and 12 deaths)
Caledon 1683 | 1534 | 88 (and 61 deaths)
Elgin 98 | 88 | 3 (and 7 deaths)
Genadendal 211 | 197 | 9 (and 5 deaths)
Grabouw 2050 | 1886 | 82 (and 82 deaths)
Greyton 112 | 106 | 3 (and 3 deaths)
Riviersonderend 422 | 380 | 22 (and 20 deaths)
Villiersdorp 771 | 693 | 49 (and 29 deaths)
Voorstekraal/Berea 33 | 26 | 3 (and 4 deaths)
TOTAL 5693 | 5185 | 285 (and 223 deaths)

Swellendam (Cases, Recovered, Active)
Barrydale 256 | 211 | 41 (and 4 deaths)
Buffeljagsrivier 230 | 196 | 29 (and 5 deaths)
Suurbraak 341 | 282 | 46 (and 13 deaths)
Swellendam 1771 | 1556 | 161 (and 54 deaths)
TOTAL 2598 | 2245 | 277 (and 76 deaths)

Cape Agulhas (Cases, Recovered, Active)
Bredasdorp 1346 | 1176 | 100 (and 70 deaths)
Elim 99 | 92 | 0 (and 7 deaths)
Napier 215 | 184 | 23 (and 8 deaths)
Struisbaai 232 | 205 | 14 (and 13 deaths)
Waenhuiskrans 78 | 72 | 3 (and 3 deaths)
TOTAL 1970 | 1729 | 140 (and 101 deaths)

16 July 2021 

To stop the spread of fake news relating to the COVID-19 we need to educate ourselves and the people around us 

There are so many misconceptions about the COVID-19 vaccine and the effect it will have on our body. Fake news is being shared on social media and WhatsApp and it is very difficult to distinguish between what is true and what we should consider to be fake news. 

These myths include rumours suggesting that the vaccine contains a microchip, that it will alter your DNA, that it will make you sick and that it cannot be effective because it was created too quickly. These are only a few of the large number of untrue myths currently going around. 

Deputy Executive Mayor of the Overberg District Municipality, Archie Klaas says we need to ensure that the information we receive comes from a credible source. ”If you share fake news, you are part of the problem, we need to educate ourselves and use reliable sources to do so” says Councilor Klaas.  Councilor Klaas says we all have a role to play in ensuring that the correct information is shared amongst our community members especially those who are in influential positions.  

If you receive news relating to the vaccine it is important to check if the information comes from a credible source. This can be done by making sure of the following: 

• Is the source that wrote it credible? 
• Is the person who wrote it real? 
• Does the information play on your fears, beliefs, and mistrust? 
• Has the message been forwarded many times?

We need to care about what we share. If you receive a message and you want to share this with your community, take a moment and verify the information in the message before sharing it. It might be Fake news, and this can harm the people you care about. 

The COVID-19 vaccine is safe, and it will prevent you from becoming seriously ill and dying from COVID-19. To ensure that everybody who is eligible receives their vaccine, we need to ensure that people register on the Electronic Vaccination Data System (EVDS). 

“For me as a technologically advanced person it is my responsibility to register my fellow community members. We all need to assist those who cannot register themselves” says Councilor Klaas. 

According to the Deputy Mayor he is very excited to be able to register for his COVID-19 vaccine from the 15th of July when the EVDS system opens registrations for people over 35 years. Young people can and should assist the elderly to register, they also have a responsibility to educate themselves so that they can educate others. For more information on the COVID-19 vaccine please visit https://coronavirus.westerncape.gov.za/vaccine/ 

ENDS

For media queries contact: 

Roché Butler
Communications Officer
Overberg District 
Western Cape Government: Health

Tel: +27 28 214 5833
Cell: +27 68 074 2455
E-mail:  Roche.Butler@westerncape.gov.za
Website: www.westerncape.gov.za

Joint Statement by All Political Parties Represented in the Council of the Overberg District Municipality

With the current incidents of looting, violence and attacks on properties in other parts of the country, the Council of the Overberg District Municipality calls for peace and stability in all our towns in the Overberg.

Please click here for the full statement.

Here are the latest number of #Coronavirus cases per town in the Overberg.

Overstrand (Cases, Recovered, Active)
Fisherhaven 70 | 60 | 8 (and 2 deaths)
Gansbaai 279 | 221 | 53 (and 5 deaths)
De Kelders 60 | 48 | 8 (and 4 deaths)
Blompark 261 | 210 | 48 (and 3 deaths)
Masakhane 275 | 266 | 2 (and 7 deaths)
Pearly Beach 51 | 44 | 4 (and 3 deaths)
Uilkraalsmond 10 | 8 | 0 (and 2 deaths)
Franskraal 73 | 63 | 7 (and 3 deaths)
Kleinbaai 20 | 14 | 4 (and 2 deaths)
Baardskeerdersbos 7 | 4 | 3
Hawston 723 | 641 | 58 (and 24 deaths)
Hermanus 1107 | 952 | 125 (and 30 deaths)
Kleinmond 727 | 678 | 29 (and 20 deaths)
Betties Bay 95 | 89 | 6 (and 0 deaths)
Pringle Bay 73 | 68 | 5 (and 0 deaths)
Mt Pleasant 496 | 433 | 45 (and 18 deaths)
Onrus 347 | 300 | 28 (and 19 deaths)
Sandbaai 383 | 330 | 44 (and 9 deaths)
Stanford 440 | 399 | 27 (and 14 deaths)
Vermont 180 | 154 | 22 (and 4 deaths)
Zwelihle 1168 | 1117 | 25 (and 26 deaths)
TOTAL 6845 | 6099 | 551 (and 195 deaths)

TWK (Cases, Recovered, Active)
Botrivier 303 | 271 | 20 (and 12 deaths)
Caledon 1646 | 1519 | 66 (and 61 deaths)
Elgin 98 | 88 | 3 (and 7 deaths)
Genadendal 210 | 196 | 9 (and 5 deaths)
Grabouw 2024 | 1881 | 61 (and 82 deaths)
Greyton 111 | 103 | 5 (and 3 deaths)
Riviersonderend 419 | 373 | 27 (and 19 deaths)
Villiersdorp 747 | 686 | 33 (and 28 deaths)
Voorstekraal/Berea 33 | 25 | 4 (and 4 deaths)
TOTAL 5591 | 5142 | 228 (and 221 deaths)

Swellendam (Cases, Recovered, Active)
Barrydale 244 | 210 | 30 (and 4 deaths)
Buffeljagsrivier 218 | 197 | 17 (and 4 deaths)
Suurbraak 328 | 282 | 35 (and 11 deaths)
Swellendam 1724 | 1556 | 114 (and 54 deaths)
TOTAL 2514 | 2245 | 196 (and 73 deaths)

Cape Agulhas (Cases, Recovered, Active)
Bredasdorp 1304 | 1176 | 58 (and 70 deaths)
Elim 99 | 92 | 0 (and 7 deaths)
Napier 206 | 184 | 14 (and 8 deaths)
Struisbaai 226 | 205 | 8 (and 13 deaths)
Waenhuiskrans 77 | 72 | 2 (and 3 deaths)
TOTAL 1912 | 1729 | 82 (and 101 deaths)

Between 25 May and 9 July 2021, we have vaccinated 20 749 persons over the age of 60 at Old Age Homes and public sites across the Overberg District and 1 876 educators. With the increase in vaccines we are now able to ensure more eligible people are vaccinated quicker.  

We have also seen some private sites open in the Overberg District and people are now able to receive their vaccines privately at Clicks pharmacies in Hermanus, Swellendam and Albertyn Pharmacy in Kleinmond. These private sites are currently only offering vaccines to those with appointments, which is in support of our vaccination rollout to all eligible persons.  

During this week the Department of Health in the Overberg started administering second doses to those who are eligible. Ian Pansegrouw, the first person over 60 to receive his vaccine in the Overberg were amongst those to receive their second dose. According to Mr Pansegrouw he experienced no side effects after his first dose, “I was able to play golf after my first dose, my arm was a bit sensitive at the site of the injection but that is to be expected. I am happy that I was able to receive my second dose in the midst of the third wave and now feel protected,” says Mr Pansegrouw.  

As of 1 July 2021, the registration for COVID vaccination opened on the EVDS for people over the age of 50 years.  From Thursday, 15 July 2021, people aged between 35 and 49 years old can register for the COVID-19 vaccine. The vaccination of this age bracket is expected to commence on 1 August 2021. This is a positive step in our efforts to provide vaccine coverage to our population. The EVDS system is currently accepting registrations and is allocating appointments for the people over 50 years to be vaccinated. The SMS appointment notifications to people over the age of 50 years who have successfully registered, commenced on Friday, 2nd July to allow for scheduled appointments as from Monday, 5th July. Thus over 50-year-olds with valid appointments is being accepted at our vaccination sites. One of our main priorities remains that of reaching and vaccinating all over 60s.

The EVDS system is currently allocating available appointment slots in the following order of priority: 

Priority 1 - people 60 years and older requiring their 1st dose of Pfizer vaccine; 

Priority 2 - people 60 years and older who are eligible for their 2nd dose of Pfizer vaccine (approximately 42 days after their 1st dose); 

Priority 3 - people aged 50 -59 years requiring their 1st dose of Pfizer vaccine.

As usual, a limited numbers of walk-ins will be accommodated at the vaccination sites. The number of walk-ins depend on the available capacity and vaccine doses available at each individual site.

Keeping safe during the Third Wave  

We are currently in the midst of an established Third Wave of Covid-19 infections. We are seeing an increase in cases throughout the District. The best way we can protect each other is to avoid social gatherings outside our immediate home environment and protect our ‘bubble’. This is your ‘safe space’.   

Thus, let’s keep this behaviour going for the next few weeks, to break the chain of transmission and flatten the curve.  

We can avoid a transmission chain from setting in by protecting our air space.   

• Avoid all large gatherings;   
• Avoid any social gatherings where possible;   
• If you need to go out to do activities such as shopping, always wear your mask and keep it short;  
• If you must meet, keep it outdoors, small and short;   
• When indoors, dress warmly and ensure the windows are open so your space is well ventilated with fresh air;  
• If sick, stay home  

We thank the public for the co-operation and patience. Let’s work together to roll out the vaccines safely, efficiently and in a fair and dignified manner for all our citizens. Please watch your local media for more details or visit https://coronavirus.westerncape.gov.za/vaccine/