One of the homeless people, who was being kept at the City of Cape Town’s Strandfontein Coronavirus camp, has tested positive.
Councillor Zahid Badroodien, Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, confirmed the case and said a test at a private facility came back positive.
“The City of Cape Town has been informed that one of the persons moved off-site to a smaller shelter had tested positive for Covid-19,” said Badroodien.
“In keeping with all protocols, this asymptomatic individual was screened at least three times by City Health officials. The results of these screenings were negative.
“A test conducted by the organisation at a private facility found a positive result.”
The camp is currently being disbanded and will be formally closed on 20 May.
CASE: Zahid Badroodien
The temporary facility made headlines when it opened last month after Strandfontein residents said they were not consulted about it.
The City bussed in 1500 street people from all over the metropole who were to be housed at the camp during the lockdown.
However, the operation was marred by controversy after an 18-year-old girl was allegedly raped and a man arrested, and the Human Rights Commission found “gross violations” of human rights.
Street people complained they were being fed old food while men and women slept in the same tent.
Badroodien said yesterday City Health is assisting the NGO with case management at the shelter, and in the process of tracking and monitoring others.
“The individual is currently in isolation and remains asymptomatic.
“The City’s Health Department, supported by external service providers, are currently assessing the position on site at Strandfontein.”
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