| City Health ready to respond to Monkeypox | City's Health Service ready to respond to Monkeypox | <p></p><p>The City of Cape Town's Health Department is working closely with other spheres of government and the National Institute for Communicable Diseases to manage any potential outbreak of monkeypox in the metropole.</p><p>Monkeypox is caused by the monkeypox virus. It can spread from animals to humans, and also between people. Spread is through close physical contact with someone who has symptoms (particularly the rash). However, the risk of infection to the South African population remains low, given the low transmissibility of the virus. The Monkeypox virus is far less transmissible than Covid, for example. </p><p>Symptoms include a fever, intense headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy, swollen lymph nodes and a skin rash or lesions. The rash usually begins within one to three days of the start of a fever, and is most prevalent on the face, palms and soles of the feet. It can also be found on the mouth, genitals and eyes.</p><p>Symptoms typically last between two to four weeks and go away on their own without treatment; however, infants, children, pregnant women and those with comorbidities or immunity problems may be at risk of more serious disease. </p><p>City Health Clinics are prepared to test and provide supportive treatment to those who are symptomatic, as well as, provide guidance and information to them and their loved ones.</p><p> </p><p>City Health Outbreak response teams, which include Primary Health Care and Environmental Health Services will assist in case management and contact tracing, similar to what was done during the Covid-19 pandemic, and investigate localised outbreaks in congregate settings.</p><p> </p><p>'The news of our first case of monkeypox will no doubt cause some concern and anxiety for our residents. It is important to note that due to the low risk of transmission, a wide spread outbreak of Monkeypox is highly unlikely. City Health will do everything possible to help mitigate the impact of the virus. Our health response was severely tested during the Covid-19 pandemic, and I think the experiences will be extremely valuable in managing any future disease outbreaks. However, we remind the public that health is a shared responsibility. Please do ensure that you are alert to the signs and symptoms of monkeypox, and that you help create awareness within your family and community, without fear-mongering or judgement, and to steer clear of spreading fake news. If you are unsure about what to do, seek advice at your nearest clinic or private health service provider,' said the Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Patricia Van der Ross.</p><p> </p><p>For more information on the virus, please refer to the National Institute of Communicable Diseases Fact Sheet: <a href="http://bit.do/fUCcm">http://bit.do/fUCcm</a><br></p><p><br></p> | 2022-06-28T22:00:00Z | | | | | | | 1 | | | |
| City embracing technology to benefit informal settlements residents | The City of Cape Town’s Informal Settlements Department is testing new technologies, which will greatly benefit some of its most vulnerable residents in a new pilot project at its Bosasa Phase 2 development in Mfuleni. | <p>The City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Human Settlements, Councillor Malusi Booi, visited the area yesterday, 28 June 2022, to see department officials rolling out the pilot project. The first phase of the project saw 1 000 structures within the area marked and numbered with a unique Quick Response (QR) code and City specific paint within just five hours. Field maps were created to indicate the associated number of each structure. This phase was successfully completed last week on Wednesday, 22 June 2022.</p><p>The next phase, which began yesterday, will see department officials returning to the numbered structures to obtain consent and to proceed with the electronic capturing of survey questions. While this is ongoing, survey data will be displayed live on a dashboard with immediate access to individual information.</p><p>‘As far as we know, this will be the first project of its kind for a metro in South Africa. The intended result of this pilot project will be direct interaction between the City and residents in informal settlements, providing up to date data for planning and budget purposes. Most importantly, each structure owner will be issued with a residence certificate linked to their respective Identity Document (ID), Global Positioning System (GPS) coordinates, electricity meter number, name, address and QR code. Importantly, it has been ensured that this entire process is Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) compliant. </p><p>‘We are very excited about this new method of socio-economic surveys. We are adapting to and making use of new technologies, even in the most vulnerable of communities, so that we may continue to provide the best possible services to our residents. The goodwill and cooperation of residents is apparent and appreciated,’ said Councillor Booi.<br> <br> <br><strong>End</strong><br></p> | 2022-06-28T22:00:00Z | | | | | | | 1 | | | |
| City advises of water supply disruptions in Simon’s Town | The City’s Water and Sanitation Directorate will be shutting off the water supply to various sections of Simon’s Town on Tuesday, 28 June 2022 and Wednesday, 29 June 2022. | <p><br></p><div>The water supply to Simon’s Town will be shut off from 21:00 on Tuesday, 28 June until 05:00 on Wednesday, 29 June 2022 to enable the maintenance team to repair, service and replace faulty fire hydrants along Main Road, Simon’s Town.</div><div><br></div><div>Careful consideration has been given to the planning of this work to specifically schedule it to happen during a period that is least disruptive to the residents and businesses alike in the area.</div><div><br></div><div>On Wednesday, 29 June 2022 the water supply to the area between Red Hill Road and Simon’s Town Main Road will be shut off from 08:30 until 16:00. This will enable the maintenance team to do a tie-in on the 300mm diameter water main. This will enhance the water supply infrastructure by affording an alternate water supply route for the area. </div><div><br></div><div>Residents are kindly advised to store water upfront in clean, sealed containers for domestic use during both periods of water supply disruptions and to ensure that their taps are closed to avoid water loss and/or damage when the supply is restored.</div><div><br></div><div>‘This work forms part of the Water and Sanitation Directorate’s reticulation maintenance and upgrade programme, which addresses the maintenance and enhancement of the water supply network, in particular the distribution system for supplying water to our consumers. It also ensures the effective operation of fire hydrants when required. We sincerely regret any inconvenience caused to the consumers in these areas, but it is a necessity that has to be done soonest,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation, Councillor Zahid Badroodien.</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><strong>End</strong><br></div><p><br></p> | 2022-06-27T22:00:00Z | | | | | | | 1 | | | |
| Madiba and Tutu Murals Completed: A Restoration of Hope | STATEMENT BY CAPE TOWN MAYOR, GEORDIN HILL-LEWIS | <p>I am delighted today to reveal the new decals on the Civic Centre Tower Block depicting two beloved icons of South African history – Madiba and Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu. </p><p>Their vision of a prosperous country united in its diversity is one that we share and strive for. The renewal of these murals is symbolic of the hope that we aim to restore to our city and to our nation. </p><p>We had anticipated the project to take one month to complete, but the team managed to restore the images to their former glory within three weeks. I wish to express my gratitude to the team overseeing this project. <br></p><span><p></p><span>
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<figure class="subtopic-fullsize-img"> </figure></span><figure class="subtopic-fullsize-img"> </figure></span><p>Retaining the existing artwork enabled us to preserve the unique imagery without unduly inflating costs. The restoration of the Civic Centre’s decals is just one element of an ongoing process of renewal in the city. The restored twelve-floor-high window murals will once again welcome motorists as they enter the CBD. </p><p>Madiba’s shirt contains images representing some of the city’s most iconic features, including the Bo-Kaap, the penguins at Boulders Beach, Table Mountain, a minstrel at the Kaapse Klopse, and the King Protea. Archbishop Tutu’s shirt contains imagery of tolerance, freedom, togetherness, and peace. </p><p>With a refreshed appearance, the depiction of these moral guardians offer renewed inspiration that we can achieve the goal of our new Integrated Development Plan: A City of Hope for All.<br><br></p><span>
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<img class="responsive" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Centre/Mayor%20and%20mural%20team.jpg" alt="" style="width:507px;" /> </figure></span><p>The conceptual design was done by Dreamfuel Media, who specified that the clothing of the subjects in the artwork should contain various imagery of special significance to Cape Town and South Africa. The image of Madiba was based on a photograph by Matthew Willman and the image of Archbishop Tutu draws on a photograph by Andrew Zuckerman.</p><p>The concept designers selected Cape Flats-born artist Linsey Levendall to illustrate it. His resultant artwork invokes a sense of hope and optimism about our country’s future, healing from the wounds of the past, and celebrating the beauty of its diverse people and environment. <br><br></p><p><strong>End</strong><br><br></p> | 2022-06-27T22:00:00Z | | | | | | | 1 | | | |
