Travelling between Siparuta, Orealla halted

-due to COVID-19

-increased testing in Region Six

The Regional Democratic Council (RDC) of Region Six has restricted travel between Siparuta and Orealla due to the number of COVID-19 cases detected in the former community over the past few days.

Regional Chairman, Mr. David Armogan said the decision was made following a consultation with relevant officials regarding the distance between both communities and its easy accessibility.

“We will stop the travel between the two communities until we have complete testing in both Siparuta and Orealla. And now, equipped with an additional medical team, we will be able to test almost everyone in those communities,” he said, during a Zoom meeting with Region Six journalists on Monday.

Currently, the administration is conducting contact tracing of the positive cases to verify those who may have contracted the disease.

Mr. Armogan said the administration has also increased police presence in the Siparuta village since some persons who have tested positive have refused to stay home.

“We are working very closely with the police force to strengthen the enforcement to ensure persons are complying with the guidelines outlined by the Ministry of Health,” he added.

The Regional Chairman said difficult cases would be sent to the isolation facility in Springlands while those who are asymptomatic would be quarantined in Siparuta.

Additionally, the administration is monitoring and conducting more testing at Vryman’s Erven, Angoy’s Avenue and Canje communities, which have been identified as COVID-19 hotspots. 

Currently, the Civil Defence Commission, the National COVID-19 Task Force and the regional administration are working together to curb transmission of the disease.

As of Monday morning, the administration sent 73 additional samples for testing.