MyPE

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My Personal Experiences in Reporting a Coronavirus (COVID-19) Breakout

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We can all learn from my personal COVID-19 experiences and contribute to making this better the next time

A member of staff at my Mother’s Retirement Village/Sectional Title Complex was sent home on 6 April 2020 showing signs of flu.

Over this past weekend this staff member was diagnosed with COVID-19.

Two other staff members who were in close contact were then immediately sent to be tested. The test results are not yet available.

As a member of the 4th Estate one would think that I had all the procedures in place to report this outbreak but, in a panic, all goes through the window.

I directed my desire to report this to two big shots via phone calls and messages.

After an hour had passed I accepted that they are probably in the same situation as me – not in a position to allow the urgent stuff to pop up – so I panicked and contacted Kupido Baron (Nelson Mandela Bay Communications Department) who reminded me of two important contact points – 0800 20 5050 and covid19@mandlemetro.gov.za.

I immediately phoned the 0800 20 50 50 number and, frankly, the first person I spoke to was efficient and gathered information well. The second person I spoke didn’t fill me with confidence that our city was in good hands.

Whilst chatting to the people at 0800 20 5050 one of the ‘big guys’ phoned me back and messaged me another number to contact that would allow me to ‘skip the queue’.

I am very grateful for that intervention offering the chance to ‘skip the queue’ but question why it is necessary to do that. Surely the first step in a Standard Operating Procedure would be to field and direct a call reporting a Coronavirus Outbreak to a dedicated desk able to take over the situation as speedily and as efficiently as possible to ensure that the possibility of the virus spreading is contained as soon as possible?

After all who do Doctor’s or hospitals phone? I liken this to reporting a crime to the SAPS 10111 centre – they listen, gather information and despatch a vehicle to assess, investigate or respond.

Am I wrong to think that the above is the way that any Coronavirus report should be handled?

Clarity from spokesperson Luvuyo Bangazi; “The JOC (Joint Operations Centre) gets involved to activate the health department to do contact tracing.”

What have I learned from this:

  1. Try not to panic
  2. Make sure that the NICD and local Department of Health has been informed
  3. If/When you DO contact the Municipal Call Centre please remind them that they need to make sure that the local Department of Health and NICD have been informed
  4. Pray

Numbers to contact:

  1. 0800 029 999 – The National Institute for Communicable Diseases
  2. 0800 20 50 50 – The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality 24 hour Call Centre
  3. covid19@mandlemetro.gov.za – The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality 24 hour Coronavirus email addresss

I also suggested the following:

  1. That the Body Corporate close down completely – no deliveries or visitors in or out.
  2. There are animals in the complex that roam free and could be carriers and I just know that the residents will have been walking in the complex (Please read the note * below on this)
  3. The residents care for the Security Guards with food and support so that could also be a point where contact could have been made and passed on.
  4. I have instructed my Mother (again) to not allow any of the roaming dogs into her unit and to close her doors.

Every doctor or nurse (health care provider) in both the public and private health sector who diagnoses a patient with any one of the NMC must report the case. Failure to report a NMC is a criminal offense.

These cases can be reported via the NMC APP or Paper Based Notifications.

Electronic notification via the NMC APP:

  1. Download the NMC APP from the NICD website (NMC page) or via your cell phone app store. Links on the NICD web site.
  2. Capture the NMC case details onto the NMC mobile or web APP (New Case tab).
  3. Upon completion of data capture, save the data and the notification will automatically be sent to all relevant focal people at Health Establishment, Sub-District, District, Province & National.

Paper based notification (also refer to SOP for NMC reporting)

  1. Complete the NMC Case Notification Form – link to the form on THIS Page: https://www.nicd.ac.za/nmc-overview/
  2. Send the NMC Case Notification Form to NMCsurveillanceReport@nicd.ac.za or fax to 086 639 1638 or
  3. NMC hotline 072 621 3805. Form(s) can be sent via sms, whatsapp, email, fax.
  4. Send a copy to the NMC focal person at Sub-District/District (details given on the cover page of the NMC booklet).

Can you be affected/infected by contact with animals?

* This is what the CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention) says:

  • We do not know the exact source of the current outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The first infections were thought to be linked to a live animal market, but the virus is now primarily spreading from person to person.
  • The first case of an animal testing positive for the virus in the United States was a tiger that had a respiratory illness at a zoo in New York City.
  • We do not have evidence that companion animals, including pets, can spread the virus that causes COVID-19 to people or that they might be a source of infection in the United States.
  • CDC is aware of a very small number of pets outside the United States reported to be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 after close contact with people with COVID-19.
  • Treat pets as you would other human family members – do not let pets interact with people or animals outside the household. If a person inside the household becomes sick, isolate that person from everyone else, including pets.
  • Further studies are needed to understand if and how different animals could be affected by the virus that causes COVID-19 as well as how this might affect human health.

The World Organisation for Animal Health says:

Are animals responsible for COVID-19 in people?

The predominant route of transmission of COVID-19 is from human to human.

Current evidence suggests that the COVID-19 virus emerged from an animal source. Genetic sequence data reveals that the COVID-19 virus is a close relative of other CoV found circulating in Rhinolophus bat (Horseshoe Bat) populations. However, to date, there is not enough scientific evidence to identify the source of the COVID-19 virus or to explain the original route of transmission to humans (which may have involved an intermediate host).

Investigations are needed to find the source, to determine how the virus entered the human population, and establish the potential role of an animal reservoir in this disease.

Priorities for research to investigate the animal source were discussed by the OIE informal advisory group on COVID-19, now the OIE ad hoc Group on COVID-19 and the human-animal Interface, and were presented at the WHO Global Research and Innovation Forum (11-12 February 2020) by the President of the OIE Wildlife Working Group. For more information on the OIE ad hoc Group on COVID-19 and the human-animal Interface and the WHO R and D roadmap please see the links under ‘more information’ at the bottom of this page.

Can animals be infected with COVID-19 virus?

Now that COVID-19 virus infections are widely distributed in the human population there is a possibility for some animals to become infected through close contact with infected humans. Infection of animals with COVID-19 virus may have implications for animal health and welfare, and for wildlife conservation.

Several dogs and cats (domestic cats and a tiger) have tested positive to COVID-19 virus following close contact with infected humans. Further information reported to the OIE can be found below in the ‘more information’ section.

Studies are underway to better understand the susceptibility of different animal species to the COVID-19 virus and to assess infection dynamics in susceptible animal species.

Preliminary findings from laboratory studies suggest that, of the animal species investigated so far, cats are the most susceptible species for COVID-19, and cats can be affected with clinical disease. In the laboratory setting cats were able to transmit infection to other cats. Ferrets also appear to be susceptible to infection but less so to disease. In the laboratory setting ferrets were also able to transmit infection to other ferrets. Dogs appear to be susceptible to infection but appear to be less affected than ferrets or cats. Egyptian fruit bats were also infected in the laboratory setting but did not show signs of disease or the ability to transmit infection efficiently to other bats.

To date, preliminary findings from studies suggest that poultry and pigs, are not susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Currently, there is no evidence to suggest that animals infected by humans are playing a role in the spread of COVID-19. Human outbreaks are driven by person to person contact.

What do we know about COVID-19 virus and companion animals?

The current spread of COVID-19 is a result of human to human transmission. To date, there is no evidence that companion animals play a significant a role in spreading the disease. Therefore, there is no justification in taking measures against companion animals which may compromise their welfare.

Some examples of animal infections have been reported to the OIE. Further details on these events can be found in the ‘more information’ section. So far, these appear to be isolated cases, and there is no evidence that companion animals are playing a role in the spread of human disease.

Preliminary findings from laboratory studies suggest that, of the animal species investigated so far, cats are the most susceptible species for COVID-19, and cats can be affected by clinical disease. In the laboratory setting cats were able to transmit infection to other cats. Ferrets also appear to be susceptible to infection but less so to disease. In the laboratory setting ferrets were able to transmit infection to other ferrets. Dogs appear to be susceptible to infection but appear to be less affected than ferrets or cats.

To date, preliminary findings from studies suggest that poultry and pigs, are not susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection.

What precautionary measures should be taken when companion or other animals have close contact with humans sick or suspected with COVID-19?
Currently, there is no evidence that companion animals are playing a significant epidemiological role in this human disease. However, because animals and people can sometimes share diseases (known as zoonotic diseases), it is still recommended that people who are sick with COVID-19) limit contact with companion and other animals.

When handling and caring for animals, basic hygiene measures should always be implemented. This includes hand washing before and after being around or handling animals, their food, or supplies, as well as avoiding kissing, licking or sharing food.

When possible, people who are sick with COVID-19 should avoid close contact with their pets and have another member of their household care for their animals. If they must look after their pet, they should maintain good hygiene practices and wear a face mask if possible. Animals belonging to owners infected with COVID-19 should be kept indoors as much as possible and contact with those pets should be avoided as much as possible.

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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.