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Health Minister Dr Zeli Mkhize says that South Africa is seeing exponential growth in daily Covid-19 cases, and that the government will consider further restrictions “as necessary” to address this increase.
On Wednesday (December 16), the country reported more than 10,000 daily cases of Covid-19 for the first time since August, and the peak of its first wave of coronavirus. An additional 166 deaths were reported.
Total coronavirus cases in the country now stand at 883,687, while the country has reported a total of 774,585 recoveries.
“We continue to assess the entire country and where we identify risks, we will participate and make a determination if further containment or restrictions are required,” Mkhize said.
“We wish to congratulate all the South Africans who heeded the government’s call and complied with regulations by not going to the beaches.
“We know that while this has taken time away from our people for enjoyment, it will certainly help slow the spread of the virus.”
Mkhize said the country’s beaches are notorious for overcrowding during this time of year and that and people tend to be ‘carefree’.
“We urge people who will go to the beach tomorrow and on the days allowed, to make sure that it does not turn into a day of repentance where people get infected and lose lives.
“We ask that you be responsible and protect yourself. Keep a physical distance from others, wear your mask, and wash or disinfect your hands. “
Western Cape leads the way
Mkhize said the Western Cape leads the way when it comes to new Covid-19 infections, with the province surpassing the 3,000 mark in daily cases for the first time this week.
The Health Minister said that all other provinces have also reported an average daily increase in Covid-19 cases, with the exception of the Eastern Cape, which has seen a daily decrease. However, the province still reports more than 1,500 new cases a day.
On Wednesday, the breakdown of new Covid-19 cases by province was as follows:
- west cape – 3,233 new Covid-19 covers
- KZN – 2,743 new cases of Covid-19;
- Gauteng – 1,795 new cases of Covid-19;
- Oriental cap – 1,619 new cases of Covid-19
- north West – 182 new cases of Covid-19
- Limpopo – 154 new cases of Covid-19
- Mpumalanga – 146 new cases of Covid-19
- Free State – 88 new cases of Covid-19
- From North cap – 56 new cases of Covid-19.
Legal challenges against lockdown rules
Mkhize also pointed to several legal challenges that have been filed against the government regarding its latest set of lockdown regulations.
In a speech Monday night, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced new national and district restrictions aimed at halting the spread of a second wave of coronavirus during the holiday season.
The new measures include a stricter curfew and restrictions around the sale of alcohol, as well as area-specific restrictions around the use of beaches.
“As (Department of) Health, we uphold the recommendations made to the National Coronavirus Command Council that are well substantiated with evidence,” said Mkhize.
“We fully intend to oppose these requests as a Department, and the government’s mandate to protect the lives and health of our people remains paramount.
“We dare not neglect this responsibility by failing to take the necessary actions to protect the health system from being overwhelmed and collapsed, as we have seen in other countries.”
Read: Cele sends beach closure warning to Cape Town
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