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President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared parts of the Eastern Cape as hotspots, introducing stricter measures in Nelson Mandela Bay.
President Cyril Ramaphosa. Image: GCIS
CAPE TOWN / JOHANNESBURG – With the second wave now firmly established driven by rising infection rates in the Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Gauteng and Kwazulu-Natal, speculation abounds that the government may respond to trends by implementing tighter restrictions on the next week.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared parts of the Eastern Cape as hotspots, introducing stricter measures in Nelson Mandela Bay.
It is understood that several high-level discussions are taking place to try to recapture the growing numbers. In other parts of the country too.
This occurs when the Western Cape now has 20,000 active cases of COVID-19.
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According to the Health Department, 31 more people have died from the virus in the province in the last 24-hour cycle.
Western Cape health officials are working hard to try to deal with the surge in COVID-19 cases, especially as the holiday season approaches.
In recent days, since the announcement that the country is in its second wave, there has been much talk of returning to higher levels of lockdown.
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University of the Western Cape virologist professor Burtram Fielding said that at this point it is extremely important to spread public messages about how to stop the transmission of the virus.
“Nothing we do from a virological point of view will stop this virus, we can only slow down transmission.”
Fielding added that the government was talking about blocking the circuit breakers, said that if it was decided, it would not work: “That will not work because people will keep moving. How are level closures enforced in an informal settlement where people live less than 1.5 meters apart in different houses? The short circuit works abroad in developed countries. “
GAUTENG PREPARES FOR END OF DEC, JAN
While Gauteng is expected to see a massive move out of the province during this festive season, it is bracing for late December and the eventuality that many will return in January.
There has been concern that beaches, mass gatherings and interprovincial travel may be restricted.
Vuyo Mhaga of the Gauteng government said that for the province, it is possible for young people to infect loved ones or carry the virus, which is concerning.
“In terms of generational population, we have a younger population in Gauteng. When they return, it will affect us as much as Gauteng. “
He said Gauteng would be vigilant and conduct tests, which will be reinforced when many return to Gauteng.
“We will continue through the holiday season, but we will run rapid tests when people return so that we can mitigate the number of infections reaching Gauteng.
He also said that plans were being made to deal with the mass gatherings around New Year’s Eve.
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