Abstract:
This study focused on Melusi, an informal settlement in Pretoria. The COVID-19 risk assessment
framework in this study was developed from existing risk assessment frameworks which were
reviewed in the context of COVID-19. Based on this evaluation the study proposes a COVID-19 risk
assessment framework that was applied in the context of Melusi. Data was collected through a
mixed method approach where primary data (qualitative) was collected from focus group
discussions held with 21 community health workers stationed in the settlement, and the secondary
data (quantitative) was retrieved from the University of Pretoria Community Oriented Primary Care
(UP COPC) unit’s household data. Through the adoption of the mixed method approach, it was found
that, in the context of COVID-19 in Melusi, the greatest exacerbators of the community’s
vulnerability were the physical structure of the dwellings; household size; access to water and
handwashing facilities; and the cleanliness of the communal bucket (portable) toilets. The
community’s attitude towards masks, sanitizers and social distancing compromised the settlement’s
overall preparedness. Lastly, the community’s resilience scores were lowered by the overall reliance
on public transport for most community members and the nature of employment for most
community members. These findings provide an indication of the need for more risk assessments at
the informal settlement scale, which would facilitate in streamlining health responses in informal
settlements.
