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An overview of Knysna and the lagoon on the Garden Route. (Photo by: Peter Titmuss / Education Images / Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
- The Western Cape government has issued a hotspot alert for Garden Route.
- The alert was in response to a rapid increase in the number of Covid-19 cases in areas such as George and Knysna / Bitou.
- On Thursday, Prime Minister Alan Winde will elaborate on the response plans for the district.
The Western Cape government has issued an “urgent hotspot alert” after a rapid increase in the number of Covid-19 cases along the popular Garden Route.
According to Western Cape Prime Minister Alan Winde, this increase was the main contributor to the remarkable growth in active cases in the Western Cape.
“Specifically, we are concerned about the increasing number of cases in George, Knysna and Bitou,” Winde said.
“George, who currently has 628 active cases, has the highest number of active cases in the province,” he added.
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During the past weekend, the province saw:
- 160 new cases in George
- 145 new cases in Knysna / Bitou
- 41 new cases in Mossel Bay
- 7 new cases in Hessequa
Due to the increasing number of positive cases, hospitalizations also increased.
Winde said hospitals still had sufficient capacity to cope with the surge in cases, yet urged people to take responsibility for ensuring that the spread of the virus is contained.
The Garden Route hotspot team increased vigilance through examinations and tests.
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“We are also paying special attention to vulnerable groups, including nursing homes,” Winde added.
He called on Garden Route residents and visitors to continue to follow Covid-19 regulations, such as wearing masks, maintaining a distance of 1.5m, and avoiding gatherings.
“If you feel bad, stay home and if you have symptoms, call the hotline on 080 928 4102 for instructions and next steps.”
“On Thursday, my weekly digital press conference will specifically focus on Garden Route and I will lay out more details on our response plans for the district,” Winde said.
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