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- The Eastern Cape authorities are proposing a tightening of restrictions, effectively bringing the province to Level 3 of national closure regulations.
- The experts say South Africa could face a second wave of Covid-19 if the outbreaks in the Eastern Cape are not contained.
- Holiday season trips and matrix celebrations could lead to super spreader events, which could see an increase in Covid-19 cases.
South Africa could face a second wave of Covid-19 cases if the outbreaks in the Eastern Cape are not contained, experts warned.
If the outbreaks continue unabated, the country could face a second wave early in the new year, say Sunday media reports.
There has been an increase in cases in Nelson Mandela Bay, and the subway now accounts for more than 50% of the country’s daily infections, according to the Sunday Times.
Experts have expressed concern that this could spread to other parts of the country, as thousands of people travel during the holiday season. This weekend, thousands of enrollment students traveled to coastal towns to celebrate the completion of their exams, which could lead to widespread events.
Professor Salim Abdool Karim, head of the Covid-19 Ministerial Advisory Committee, told the publication that he was concerned about the closure of factories in the province on December 16 and thousands of people traveling across the country, some to the Cape. Oriental.
He reportedly said he feared that “three weeks later, when the holidays are over, the virus is spreading across the country.”
READ | News24’s Covid-19 Dashboard – Track Spread, Recovery, and Mortality Statistics Here
In response, the Eastern Cape authorities are proposing to stop alcohol consumption in taverns and pubs, extending the curfew and reducing the number of people allowed at social gatherings. The National Coronavirus Command Council (NCCC) is expected to hear the proposal next week.
According to Netwerk24, restrictions similar to those imposed in Level 3 of the national closure are likely to be implemented in the province. The report added that Health Minister Zweli Mkhize had visited the province and said measures were needed to restrict the spread of the virus.
However, according to the Sunday Times, Mkhize said that no decision had been made on further restrictions in the province.
News24 reported this week that the number of people dying of natural causes on the Nelson Mandela Bay subway in the Eastern Cape is now higher than at any time during the first Covid-19 surge in the province.
Researchers who tracked weekly deaths on Wednesday reported an excess of 393 deaths during the week of November 11-17.
READ MORE | Resurgence: excess weekly deaths at NMB higher than ‘first surge’
The highest weekly death toll previously was 307 for the week of July 1-7, according to the latest weekly mortality report prepared by the South African Medical Research Council and UCT actuaries.
– Compiled by Nicole McCain
