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Health Minister Dr. Zweli Mkhize said on Wednesday night that the country entered the second wave of the coronavirus pandemic.
The minister said that 6,079 cases of covid-19 were reported in the past 24 hours, and that superprocessor events played a key role in this.
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“If this trajectory continues, our healthcare will be overwhelmed by these numbers,” Mkhize said.
Mkhize tweeted that several provinces showed worrying trends.
“The age distribution has also shown a different pattern than the norm. The 15-19 age group showed the highest number of cases in the last two days. “
He said the four provinces that were key drivers of this new wave were Eastern Cape, Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng.
The minister said the prime ministers of the affected provinces had been briefed to prepare for a second wave and address hospital capacity challenges, including the reactivation of field hospitals.
“As we move through the different provinces, we see that the pressure has already built up in several provinces,” he said.
On Wednesday, Mkhize visited the Eastern Cape, where the Nelson Mandela metro has been declared a Covid-19 hotspot.
Mkhize issued a warning ahead of the holiday season that irresponsible celebrations and gatherings would not be tolerated.
“If our enjoyment is going to lead to more people getting sick and admitted to the hospital and even starting lives, then that’s not a responsible way,” he said.
Watch the video of the announcement here:
We are now is a second wave. Four provinces are the key drivers of this new wave. They are EC, WC, KZN and Gauteng. # MediaBriefingCOVID19SA
– Dr. Zweli Mkhize (@DrZweliMkhize) December 9, 2020
The National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD) said adherence to non-pharmaceutical interventions remains vital to reducing transmission and preventing significant resurgences. It is not known when the vaccine will be available in South Africa.
“It is difficult to determine why the Eastern Cape Province has seen such an early resurgence, but non-compliance with non-pharmaceutical interventions is a key factor. Super spreader events, where large groups of individuals come together without observing physical distancing or wearing of masks, are obvious contributing factors. And unless the situation is contained and controlled quickly, our hospital services will not be able to cope with the influx of Covid-19 patients, much less any other emergency, ”said the NICD.
“It is absolutely critical that the public adhere to non-pharmaceutical interventions and adopt simple behavior change as prescribed by the National Department of Health. This includes the proper use of masks when in contact with other people (masks should cover both the nose and mouth) and maintaining a physical distance of at least 1.5 m.
“If possible, activities should take place outdoors or in well-ventilated areas / rooms with open windows and doors, as adequate ventilation plays an important role in reducing transmission. Large crowds congregating in confined spaces with poor ventilation, a common occurrence in social gatherings among young people, leads to wide-spread events with many potential broadcasts, ”he added.
“It is understandable that many people are tired of wearing masks and some are oblivious to its importance, especially in the context of asymptomatic infections and contagion to the most vulnerable. Covid-19 pneumonia can be life-threatening and there is no specific treatment.
“All members of society can prevent and minimize transmission by complying with the regulations. Those who tested positive or were exposed to positive cases must comply with the self-isolation and quarantine protocols in the most efficient way possible, ”concluded the NICD.
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