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- South Africa recorded more than 14,000 daily cases of Covid-19 for the third day in a row this week.
- The country is approaching the million mark.
- The health sector unions are concerned that the situation will get worse.
As Covid-19 cases in South Africa continue to rise on a daily basis, health unions are concerned the situation is only getting worse.
The country registered more than 14,000 daily cases of Covid-19 for the third day in a row this week, getting closer to the 1 million accumulated cases.
On Christmas Day, the country registered 14,796 new cases, bringing the cumulative number to 983,359.
This means that, in the last 10 days, the country has had 109,680 new cases, with KwaZulu-Natal on the rise.
The province has registered the highest number of new Covid-19 cases per day, with a daily average of 3,501 new cases.
KwaZulu-Natal also has the highest number of active cases with 40,197 active cases.
Meanwhile, there were 293 deaths, bringing the death toll to 26,276, with the Eastern Cape once again recording the highest death toll at 115.
In a statement this week, Health Minister Zweli Mkhize said the increases indicated the virus was continuing to spread exponentially, faster than the first wave, adding that the peak would be exceeded in the coming days, as News24 reported.
He said all provinces, with the exception of the Eastern Cape, continued to report increases in cases.
KwaZulu-Natal, Western Cape and Gauteng posted the largest increases, comprising 81% of new cases on Wednesday.
Speaking to News24 this week, the South African Democratic Nursing Organization (Denosa) and the National Union of Education, Health and Allied Workers (Nehawu) expressed concern over the rate of infections.
READ | Coronavirus cases rise ‘exponentially’ in South Africa, says Mkhize
Denosa Chairman Simon Hlungwani said that while the rise in infections was not “shocking,” the union was concerned about the number of people who might require hospitalization.
“Our concern is that if more hospitalizations are expected, many people are going to have problems.
“With the new variant, even the youngsters have complications and our concern is that this will add more stress to the already overwhelmed system,” Hlungwani said.
“It is within your [the citizen] hands to avoid getting infected and we want the public to be able to protect nurses by preventing them from getting infected, because the more people get infected and the more end up entering the hospital, the riskier the situation for nurses to be, and the health system is becoming overwhelming “.
He also said that South Africans should wear masks and stay away from large gatherings.
‘It will lead to many hospitalizations’
Nehawu spokesman Khaya Xaba said its members were “tired, stressed and frustrated”.
He noted that hospitals will be overwhelmed if cases continue to increase.
“Our people really need to take care of themselves, in terms of protecting themselves and their loved ones, and we are also calling for people to stay home and stay away from high-profile events this holiday season. These numbers are a great cause for concern, “he said.
READ | Help us stop the spread of Covid-19, urges the Western Cape government to religious leaders
“We call on people to enjoy their parties with caution. This wave is too aggressive and easily transferable. It will lead to many hospitalizations.”
Meanwhile, in a statement Wednesday, Mkhize warned South Africans that the government would need to review current restrictions and consider new measures.
Mkhize added that it would be important that the situation in the provinces be assessed and the hotspots identified, so that they can make recommendations based on the findings and results of what has been implemented in the hotspots that have been identified so far.
“We can never emphasize enough the need for citizens to take all necessary precautions as we celebrate the holiday season and seek respite from a difficult year.
“Unfortunately, Covid-19 is relentless and therefore we cannot afford to be complacent at this stage.
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“We urge all South Africans to adhere to regulations and recommendations related to the national state of disaster, avoid large gatherings and congested environments, ensure adequate ventilation in the places where they gather and adhere carefully to non-interventions. Pharmaceuticals: that is, wearing masks, social distancing and sanitation of hands and shared surfaces. “
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