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By Nathan Craig 
2h ago
The Eastern and Western Capes have shown spikes in Covid-19 infections in recent weeks.
Health Minister Zweli Mkhize visited the Eastern Cape this week, where he said that the fight against Covid-19 was in the hands of the community and “where communities fail, all society fails.”
“A few days ago, I indicated that we are seeing that the numbers begin to exceed the threshold of 3000 positive cases per day which is worrying. It is an indication that we are moving away from where we were, ”Mkhize said.
He added that daily numbers in new cases were now driven by the Eastern Cape, which accounted for 50-55% of daily positive cases, followed by the Western Cape with reported daily increases accounting for around 25%.
Mkhize said the government was toying with the idea of using differentiated approaches for specific hot spots.
Mkhize said that any restrictions would be based on evidence and that official decisions have not yet been made, but that the health department would make recommendations to the National Coronavirus Command Council.
Western Cape Prime Minister Alan Winde announced this week that the province was experiencing a second wave and confirmed that considerations were being made to implement local lockdown restrictions.
More details are expected to emerge in the new week.
But Professor Salim Abdool Karim, an epidemiologist and co-chair of the ministerial advisory committee, said that while the country was not experiencing a second wave, he said the first wave started in a similar way.
“This virus requires super spread events and that is what I fear happened in the Eastern Cape. Preliminary information suggests that the outbreaks began in the student residence and that alcohol establishments were in violation of regulations.
“I am afraid that on December 16, when people are not working, they will go to their respective provinces of origin to celebrate. The inhibitions will be removed and this could be exactly what the virus needs to explode again, ”he said.
Karim said he had zero tolerance for endangering others.
“All restaurants, shopping malls, bars, clubs and similar establishments that violate the regulations must be closed and fined. It’s that easy. We have to protect each other. “
He added that with resurgencies in other parts of the country, hospitals should be preparing to handle a possible influx.
Greg Swale, Regional Manager for Life Healthcare, said an increase in transmissions was expected and they were preparing for the eventuality.
“Our KZN hospitals are currently at about a fifth of the number of patients we saw during peak months. However, recent reports show an increase in KZN of approximately 30% of new infections over the previous week. We are particularly concerned about the Christmas season, ”he said.
Craig Murphy, coastal regional director for health group Netcare, said it was critical that members of the public diligently adhere to Covid-19 precautions.
“Washing your hands regularly, adhering to social distancing, and always wearing a mask in public and in the presence of others not only protects themselves, but also helps prevent the spread of the virus,” Murphy said.
He urged patients to seek medical treatment early and not just once their condition has deteriorated.
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