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KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sihle Zikalala
Supplied by the KZN government
- Forty-eight people tested positive after a protest at KSB that was attended by more than 2,000 people.
- Six nuns died in KZN after an event in a convent church in the Ugu district.
- KZN Prime Minister Sihle Zikalala has warned against events that contribute to the spread of Covid-19.
KwaZulu-Natal Prime Minister Sihle Zikalala warned of Covid-19 outbreaks following the deaths of six nuns at a convent in the Ugu district and 48 infections resulting from a protest attended by more than 2,000 people in KwaSizabantu. (KSB).
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Zikalala briefed the media on the province’s latest Covid-19 figures and plans for the holiday season on Sunday.
“The province has registered a number of groups in healthcare settings, church gatherings, retail stores, funerals, ceremonies, and parties. Recent outbreaks of groups in gatherings have proven fatal, such as a church gathering that took place in the Assisi convent in Ugu District, which saw six nuns sadly succumb to Covid-19.
“Another meeting was in KwaSizabantu in Umzinyathi district, attended by more than 2,000 people! And I repeat 2,000 people. It is unthinkable,” he said.
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The prime minister’s office later clarified that the meeting the prime minister had referred to in his speech was a protest action, which took place last week at KSB.
“Note that the statement does not suggest that it is a meeting organized by the mission, but rather a meeting (a protest of people demanding to be employed in the mission). That group of people is becoming a super-broadcaster.”
The event in KwaSizabantu resulted in 48 people testing positive so far, and the prime minister said it was not surprising.
The prime minister also expressed concern about the increase in deaths at home.
“On Thursday, December 17, 2020, the province received 22 deaths at home. This means that the province now has 142 (or 3%) of the deaths that have occurred at home since the start of the pandemic,” he said.
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The death rate, Zikalala said, is 32 deaths per 100,000 residents, with the eThekwini district being the highest, with 46 deaths per 100,000.
Worried
“We are concerned about the fact that the province is experiencing an increase in the number of Covid-19 related deaths reported on a daily basis. The actual number of deaths, which occurred during week 50, was 68 and, for week 51, 111. We must hasten to add that these are cumulative numbers, not numbers reported in a single day, “Zikalala said.
Of those infected, 7,891 are health workers.
“Most of the infected healthcare workers were nurses (56%). The number of infected healthcare workers has increased by 449 (or 6%) in the past seven days,” Zikalala said.
Zikalala said the province was prepared for the second wave and had canceled all major events as a precaution.
“We also want to dispel the notion that our healthcare facilities are beginning to succumb. Yes, healthcare facilities are in high demand, but the system has not collapsed due to pressure. It is up to all of us to make sure we don’t get there. to that stage, “he said.
Meanwhile, the province has also cracked down on holiday season activities and alcohol sales.
“To date, we have conducted a total of 44 joint law enforcement operations with SAPS and the Liquor Authority in KZN. During this time, 24 liquor licenses were suspended, while 13 more suspensions are in the process of being finalized.” Zikalala said.
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