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The Government warned of another increase in coronavirus cases, after South Africa reported 8,166 new cases on Thursday (December 11).
“There is clear evidence of an exponential increase in transmission and this is of great concern,” said Health Minister Dr. Zweli Mkhize. The country reported a new 173 Covid-19 related deaths, while total recoveries now stand on 756,671.
The increase in cases is due to new infections in the Western Cape, Eastern Cape, KwaZulu Natal and Gauteng.
In response, Mkhize said the country’s provincial governments are considering recommendations on how to hold large gatherings and parties.
He said the final decision on these recommendations will be made by President Cyril Ramaphosa, following discussions with the National Coronavirus Command Council (NCCC).
Emergency shutdown
Western Cape Prime Minister Alan Winde said his province is taking a number of steps to prevent the increase in cases, but reiterated that the Western Cape continues to oppose the closures.
“(Closures) are a blunt tool that should be avoided at all costs. It would be devastating to our economy and it would worsen our humanitarian crisis.
“Instead, we need localized interventions to stop the spread that are common sense and evidence-based,” he said.
“As South Africa enters its second wave, we urge the national government to avoid blunt tools and do everything possible to strike the right balance between saving lives and livelihoods.”
Winde said that Covid-19 is not on ‘vacation’ this holiday season and that it was up to citizens to do everything possible to prevent themselves and their loved ones from becoming infected with the virus or spreading.
“In the Western Cape, we have been working around the clock to execute our three-pronged approach to roll back our resurgence and save lives and livelihoods,” he said.
Winde said he has also presented a plan to the president and Mkhize in which he explains how the province is responding to the resurgence.
He said the plan specifically calls for:
- Assistance with application activities, with the provision of additional resources to critical points for these purposes;
- A reconsideration of the number of people who are allowed to gather at hotspots, especially indoors, given that the virus spreads in meetings and where there is little ventilation. This should be done reasonably based on scientific advice;
- Applying your mind to the possible consequences for those who refuse to wear a cloth mask, such as a fine. This is because masks are an effective way to stay safe and slow the spread while still keeping the economy open.
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