A mass screening operation is taking place at the Twin City Mall in Heidedeal today in an attempt to curb the spreading of Covid-19, otherwise known as the Coronavirus.
The Free State Department of Health will be conducting screenings in different parts of Mangaung in the next week with the first taking place in Heidedal.
According to the department’s spokesperson, Mondli Mvambi, the screenings will determine whether people need to test for Covid-19 or not.
“The Department is asking all members of the community who have had contact with Covid-19 positive people or who have been exposed to Covid-19 environments to avail themselves for screening to determine their eligibility to test for Covid-19,” explained Mvambi.
Twin City Mall is the designated mass screening site for people who live in the areas of Heidedal, Opkoms, Bloemside, Batho and Phahameng. Screenings are scheduled between 10:00 to 17:00 today, Thursday 2 April 2020.
Although, Mvambi confirmed that mass screenings would also take place in Caleb Motshabi, he has not yet confirmed the mass operations elsewhere that have been reported to be taking place until 10 April 2020.
“The other mass screening site is at the Caleb Motshabi informal settlement near the Power Station,” said Mvambi.
The spokesperson added that Minister of Health, Dr Zweli Mkhize, will be at the screening in Heidedal along with Premier Sisi Ntombela, MEC Montseng Tsiu and the Free State Executive Council.
The Minister also attended the first mass screening for Covid-19 in Bloemfontein at Brandwag Primary School on 20 March 2020. Bloemfontein Courant reported that about 600 parents and foundation phase learners were recalled to be screened for symptoms of the virus during the operation.
Mangaung has since been reported to be one of two areas in the country, along with Sandton, where the virus is rapidly spreading. –
Nomaqhawe Mtebele
