KAROO NEWS - The 67-year-old woman who is the first Covid-19 related death in Graaff-Reinet was buried in the Santaville cemetery on Thursday, with only two family members and the officiating pastor permitted to attend.
This is the first known death from the virus in the Dr Beyers Naudé Local Municipality.
EC Department of Health Spokesperson, Siyanda Manana, said that the woman was taken ill on Thursday and transported to Midland Hospital in Graaff-Reinet by ambulance that afternoon when she was admitted. Manana said that her condition steadily deteriorated and she died on Tuesday morning. Her positive test results arrived later that same morning.
According to a friend, the woman had underlying medical conditions, including a heart problem and diabetes. Manana also noted that the woman had attended a funeral in Santaville recently.
She lived with her two brothers, one son and two grandsons. Of great concern to Cllr Joy Williams, who knew the woman well, is that despite urgent requests, she could receive no clear guidelines from the Department of Health representatives at the JOC meeting on Wednesday as to what should be done immediately at the family's home.
"I knew on Tuesday that she had passed away, but only found out on Wednesday that it was from Covid-19," said Williams. "People have been streaming in and out of the house to sympathise with the family, as they also did not know she had the virus."
Williams is worried and feels that action needs to be taken immediately to isolate and educate the family in cases of Covid-19 infections, together with alerting recent contacts.
"I am urging everyone to stay at home where possible, and not go out socialising with friends," said Williams. "I am very concerned about the people in my ward, and indeed the whole of Graaff-Reinet."
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