CareWorks' response to COVID-19

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CareWorks is committed to practicing evidence-based care for

both our staff and customers. We strongly believe that, as a

responsible organisation involved in both public and private

healthcare, we have a role to play in responding to this outbreak.

We are therefore heeding the call from the Minister of Health

to join forces with government to tackle this extremely serious threat.  

These are things we have done and that you can do immediately: 

1. If you are ill, stay at home. If you are unwell, particularly if you have acute respiratory symptoms, it is safer for those around you that you stay at home and contact your doctor to find out if you need to be tested for COVID-19.   

2. Maintain good hygiene.

   • Avoid close contact particularly with those who exhibit respiratory symptoms. We discourage shaking hands, high fives or hugging. It is recommended that people keep a 1 m distance apart 

   • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue or elbow 

   • Avoid touching your eyes, mouth or nose with unwashed hands 

   • Wash your hands regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If you cannot wash your hands, use sanitiser. 

   • Keep your workstation clean by ensuring that high use items such as the mouse, keyboard, phone and desk are cleaned regularly.

3. Use the recommended Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). As a healthcare organisation, a large portion of our staff are in the field actively testing communities for chronic diseases. We will not be halting these services as now more than ever, they are crucial to ensuring that people with immunocompromising conditions are found, linked to care and retained in care. We however have a duty to ensure the safety of our staff and clients and will therefore be ramping up our PPE measures. 

4. Travel. As of the 16 March 2020, we have put an embargo on all non-essential travel for staff both internationally and domestic. 

5. Do not spread fake news. It is imperative that we are ingesting and disseminating accurate information. As such we have included useful resources and links on this website for both healthcare providers and customers.  

In these times it is crucial that we remain informed and vigilant and active participants in ensuring good health outcomes. This outbreak has the potential to push us over the edge or it can be an opportunity for us to work together as an organisation and a country.

CareWorks chooses the latter and we know that we can count on your active support. 

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For more information on COVID-19 visit or contact: 

• NICD (www.nicd.ac.za) 

  • 24 hr hotline for doctors: 082 883 9920/ 0800 111 131 

  • 24 hr Hotline for the public: 0800 029 999 / 0800 111 132

• NDoH WhatsApp line 0600123456, to which you send “Hi” for more information.

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