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South Africa will focus on increasing detection, testing, and its case management program as it enters its peak period of fighting the Covid-19 pandemic.
This is according to President Cyril Ramaphosa, in his weekly column: From the President’s Desk.
The country has seen an increase in daily infections in the past 72 hours, exceeding 10,000 confirmed cases on Sunday night.
Minister of Health, Dr Zweli Mkhize said in a statement that the government is also conducting further tests, totaling 341,336 so far.
“Our goal is to constantly reduce the alert level by keeping the infection rate low and preparing our health system for the inevitable increase in cases,” said Ramaphosa. Since the beginning of May, the country has operated under the level 4 blockade.
As part of the gradual recovery in the economy, companies in certain specific industries have been able to resume part or all of their operations.
The president said that while there is still much about the pandemic that is unknown, “experts now agree that the virus will remain a threat to global public health for some time.” Therefore, we must be prepared to continue living with the coronavirus among us for a year or even more, ”he said.
The president said that success in overcoming the coronavirus will ultimately be determined by changes made in our behavior.
Ramaphosa acknowledged that people have been frustrated with restricting their personal freedom.
“At the same time, health experts around the world are warning of a ‘second wave’ of infections as public life resumes. Several countries, including Germany, Iran, and China, have seen an increase in new infections since they relaxed certain restrictions.
“We will not be different. We can and should expect infections to increase as more people return to work. We must accept reality, prepare and adapt to it, “stressed the President.
Next phase
The next phase of the country’s response has to do with both continuity and change or innovation, Ramaphosa said.
“We will step up our intensive case detection, testing and management program. We will introduce new measures to make contact tracking more effective. We will have to implement mass disinfection of workplaces, public transport and other spaces. “
The president said that as restrictions on economic activity and daily life are eased, it is vital that all South Africans maintain that strong sense of personal responsibility.
He said that imposing a national blockade gave the country a strategic advantage. “He bought us valuable time to prepare our health system and establish containment measures. This has delayed transmission and saved lives, “he said.
“The transition to the next phase of the coronavirus response, that of recovery, will be more difficult than the current one. The risk of infection outbreaks will increase. The demands on our clinics and hospitals and medical personnel will grow.
“That is why easing closure restrictions should not result in careless behavior on the part of individuals or reckless practices by companies interested in resuming activity at the expense of human health,” said President Ramaphosa.
Read: Cape Town and Joburg may need stricter restrictions: Mkhize
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