KEEPING SAFE: Health workers sanitising government officials' hands, including CHDM mayor Wongama Gela during a visit at Bankies Village where several covid-19 cases have been confirmed Pciture: SUPPLIED

ANDISA BONANI

Nineteen Bankies Village residents in Emalahleni Municipality were extracted from the community last Wednesday, after testing positive for the coronavirus which they contracted at a funeral they attended in March.

The Chris Hani District Municipality (CHDM) recorded 25 confirmed covid-19 cases, with zero deaths by the time of going to print. The numbers are expected to have increased as further tests are being conducted.

CHDM mayor Wongama Gela who was at the village when the infected persons were removed from the community said residents expressed shock by what had transpired in their community. 

“The leadership of Emalahleni interacted with the families of infected people and the community at large after they learned of the positive results. We too had to interact with residents of the area, encouraging them not to panic, and to ultimately stay home. They indicated they were shocked by firstly the number of government vehicles on their community which showed the seriousness of the matter.”

One of the 19 people who tested positive in the area is a Vaalbank Clinic nurse. The health facility has been temporarily shut down to allow for further tests among staff and for disinfection purposes.

Gela said in the meanwhile, residents could go to the two other clinics in the neighbouring villages for medical assistance until the one on their area was re-opened.

The mayor said residents did not have to panic about the increasing numbers, but to rather stick to the rules and the most important one of them which is to stay at home.

“We cannot emphasise the importance of staying indoors enough. People in Komani need not worry about the cases in Emalahleni because they are not supposed to travel unless it is necessary. Komani residents also need to remain home to avoid being around different people, increasing their chances of infection. We all need to remain calm and adhere to the rules and regulations of the lockdown.”