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Beach photo by Sai Kiran Anagani on Unsplash and mask photo by 🇨🇭 Claudio Schwarz | @purzlbaum on Unsplash
Coronavirus cases are increasing in the Western Cape and Prime Minister Alan Winde says the province will impose Level 1 restrictions this holiday season.
“You’re going to have a holiday with a difference,” Western Cape Prime Minister Alan Winde said Thursday, December 3, while answering questions from journalists about the increase in Covid-19 cases in the province ahead of the holiday season. .
Winde, together with the MEC of health Nomafrench Mbomo, the department head, Dr. Keith Cloete, and the epidemiologist, Professor Mary Ann Davies, informed the media about the increase in coronavirus cases, as well as the plans of the province to help flatten this last curve.
See his report here:
Western Cape Government Digital Press Conference
Join our digital press conference to provide an update on the Covid-19 situation in the province and to outline interventions from the Western Cape to flatten the curve during the festive season.
I will be accompanied by the Minister of Health, Nomafrench Mbombo, and the Chief of Health, Dr. Keith Cloete.
Note that this digital icon will take place before its usual time interval.
Posted by Premier Alan Winde on Wed Dec 2, 2020
Over the past few weeks, Winde has expressed concern about the growing number of Covid-19 infections throughout the Garden Route and in the Cape meter.
In Thursday’s briefing, he emphasized the golden rules of Covid-19 prevention: hand washing, physical distancing, and wearing masks.
Winde said that “December brings a different dynamic to our province.”
Since the last briefing, he said the province has had consultations with the police, law enforcement, the national health department and even the presidency about the escalating cases and possible additional restrictions.
Read on Daily Maverick: Curfew and alcohol ban on cards as resort towns wait for Ramaphosa to speak
Winde said that after consultations, it was agreed that what is needed is a change in behavior.
When asked if it was safe to travel to the Garden Route during the holidays, Winde said the area was open and people could travel, but “you have to use common sense.” This means wearing a mask and not attending large gatherings.
Winde said the Western Cape will take a three-pronged approach to trying to contain the resurgence of Covid-19 cases. These are: the continuation of the province’s health response, behavior change to prevent new infections, and greater enforcement of Tier 1 regulations.
“The behavior of the community is what determines where we go,” said MEC Mbombo. He urged people to wear masks when shopping at malls and supermarkets.
Mbombo said that the national health minister, Dr. Zweli Mhkize, will head to Garden Route on Friday, December 4 to speak with mayors and officials about the increase in cases.
Dr. Keith Cloete said hospitalizations and oxygen use by Covid-19 patients were on the rise.
As of Thursday morning, there were 1,253 Covid-19 patients in hospitals in the province: 680 were in public hospitals and another 573 were being treated in the private sector.
The key to the province’s Covid-19 containment strategy is:
- Change community behaviors to prevent infection (through coordinated application at provincial, district and local level, as well as central public messages and specific local messages).
- Outbreak surveillance and response (The strategy is being implemented, as well as the daily meetings, which are “working well” to contain local outbreaks.
- Expansion of the capacity of the Covid-19 health platform (preparation of contingency plans in each geographic area).
- Maintain comprehensive services (maintaining essential health services while expanding Covid-19 capacity).
- Safeguard and protect the well-being of all front-line personnel (which includes providing sufficient personal protective equipment).
In closing, Cloete said, “the increase in active cases in all districts represents an established resurgence in the Western Cape.” This was especially true on the Garden Route and the Cape Underground.
Cloete said that with the “rapid increase” in hospitalization data, death rates were also beginning to rise.
“Our local teams are on high alert for local surveillance and response to clusters,” Cloete said, adding that “the biggest concern is the lack of adherence to protective behaviors; there is a great need for targeted interventions to enforce the law and change behavior ”. DM
