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The National Coronavirus Command Council (NCCC) is reportedly meeting this week as South Africa continues to record a daily record of Covid-19 infections, rapidly approaching 1 million confirmed cases.
As of December 26, South Africa has reported a total of 994,911 Covid-19 cases, down from the 1 million mark. 11,552 new cases were reported daily, after two record increases of more than 14,000 cases on Thursday and Friday of this week.
There were also 256 new deaths, bringing the total to 26,521, while recoveries are now 839,194, leaving the country with a balance of 129,196 active cases.
The increase in cases has been driven by more gatherings during the holiday season, as well as a more transmissible variant of the virus that has been discovered in South Africa.
According to the Sunday Times, citing a member of the government, President Cyril Ramaphosa will remind cabinet ministers of his vacation to hold an urgent meeting on Tuesday (December 29) to address the crisis.
While it is not yet clear what restrictions will be changed at the meeting, a review might see:
- Reduce limits on the number of people allowed in meetings;
- Movement restrictions;
- Border closure;
- Restrictions on trade in alcohol.
Tourism Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane also warned that restaurants could face further restrictions if they do not adhere to current closure regulations, the newspaper said.
# COVID-19 Statistics in SA as of December 26.
Use the COVID Alert SA app to protect yourself, your loved ones, and your community. Start using this privacy-preserving app today! Add your phone to the fight! Download the Covid Alert SA app now! https://t.co/8YKEqaiiRF pic.twitter.com/pZfpsScp3W
– Dr. Zweli Mkhize (@DrZweliMkhize) December 26, 2020
The NCCC meeting follows an alert from Health Minister Dr. Zweli Mkhize on Wednesday (December 23) that lockdown restrictions would have to be revised to combat the alarming rise seen in the second wave of the virus.
Mkhize said that the coronavirus has continued to spread exponentially and that the rate of spread is much faster than the first wave.
“We must warn South Africans that we will have to review current restrictions and consider new measures to ensure that we curb this alarming rate of spread,” he said.
Mkhize said that all provinces, with the exception of the Eastern Cape, continued to report an increase in their number of cases. KZN, Western Cape and Gauteng reported the largest increase in cases, comprising 81% of all new cases reported.
“Therefore, it will be important for us to assess the situation, identify the hotspots in these areas, and make recommendations based on these findings and the results of what has been implemented in the hotspots that have been identified so far,” said Mkhize. .
Hospitals, both private and public, report that they are filling up quickly, with some already maxed out. To make matters worse, many hospitals are operating with fewer staff due to the holiday period, which will now be hit the hardest by the second wave.
Health experts and authorities have called on South Africans to continue to practice social distancing and follow lockdown protocols.
Read: The government will analyze the new blockade restrictions for South Africa: Mkhize
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