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President Cyril Ramaphosa, in his national address Thursday, highlighted the Garden Route as an area of concern.
Hospital capacity is under great pressure in the Western Cape. Image: AFP
CAPE TOWN – The Western Cape dealt with more than 12,400 active cases of COVID-19 on Saturday.
About 1,700 more infections were recorded Friday in a 24-hour period.
President Cyril Ramaphosa, in his national address Thursday, highlighted the Garden Route as an area of concern.
On Friday, Health Minister Zweli Mkhize visited the Garden Route area where he met with the Western Cape Health MEC Nomafrench Mbombo and district mayors to discuss the challenges they face due to the resurgence of COVID cases. -19.
Garden Route district leaders met with Mkhize, where he heard their concerns and challenges as they responded to the virus.
The minister said another issue that was raised was the movement of people between the Eastern Cape and the Western Cape and the popularity of the Garden route with tourists, meaning that more people would visit the area.
Mkhize recommended that the two prime ministers discuss the matter.
He also pointed to concerns about the hospital’s capacity that was under heavy pressure, as well as the increase in healthcare workers infected with the virus.
“We have offered assistance wherever it is needed, we have to deal with that. Because the problem of the shortage of health workers is something that will accompany us. “
George Mayor Leon Van Wyk said things were “pretty challenging” at the moment.
“Our health services are overwhelmed at this stage; These areas will face a great deal of pressure in the coming weeks as tourists move to the area. That is why it is important that citizens apply all COVID protocols. “
Van Wyk added that many businesses operating in the region receive 25-30% of their annual turnover during the holiday season and the economy could not do without that business.
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