The Gauteng Department of Health is cancelling all elective surgeries as part of its strict measures to deal with the spread of Covid-19.

This followed the declaration of a national state of disaster by President Cyril Ramaphosa on Sunday, 15 March.

On Saturday, it was announced that there were 240 positive cases of Covid-19 across the country.Other measures the department had put in place were the following:

– All annual health events were cancelled.

– The outpatient department (OPD) would reduce the number of patient visits by using an appointment system.

– A separate area for patients with flu-like symptoms to be identified at facilities.

– Thuthuzela Health Care Centre services to be extended beyond providing forensic services.

– Increase the number of chronic patients linked to centralised chronic medical dispensing and distribution, and patients to be provided with a three-month supply of medication, and a repeat script for six months.

– Patients will be encouraged to use Pele boxes for collecting medication.