Citizen reporter and Molefe Seeletsa Another 175 deaths have been reported, with the Eastern Cape recording most fatalities at 93. MEC Bandile Masuku and Minister Zweli Mkhize visited Nasrec as part of monitoring state of readiness as COVID-19 cases increase in Gauteng and to support staff working during pandemic, 20 July 2020. Picture:Nigel Sibanda
A cumulative total ot 5 884 227 tests nave been completed with 25 049 new tests conducted since the last report
“Regrettably, 175 deaths have been reported: Eastern Cape 93, Free State 16, Gauteng 4, KwaZulu-Natal 5, North West 5, Northern Cape 20 and Western Cape 32. This brings the total to 23 451 deaths.
“We convey our condolences to the loved ones of the departed and thank the health workers that treated the deceased,” he said.
READ: President Ramaphosa s full speech on festive season COVID-19 restrictions The president addressed the nation on the coronavirus restrictions to be implemented for the festive season. President Cyril Ramaphosa. Picture: @PresidencyZA/Twitter
It is just 11 days since I last addressed you.
Then I reported on the signs of a resurgence of coronavirus infections in various parts of the country.
On that day, the 3rd of December, our country recorded over 4,400 new cases.
Yesterday, the 13th of December, we recorded nearly 8,000 new cases.
The cumulative number of confirmed coronavirus cases in South Africa now stands at 866,127.
These figures are a cause for great concern.
It is just 11 days since I last addressed you.
Then I reported on the signs of a resurgence of coronavirus infections in various parts of the country.
On that day, the 3rd of December, our country recorded over 4,400 new cases.
Yesterday, the 13th of December, we recorded nearly 8,000 new cases.
The cumulative number of confirmed coronavirus cases in South Africa now stands at 866,127.
These figures are a cause for great concern.
There can no longer be any doubt – the country has entered a second wave of coronavirus infections.
Given the rate at which new cases have grown over the last two weeks, there is every possibility that if we do not act urgently and if we do not act together, the second wave will be more severe than the first wave.
This all means that the same additional restrictions that we applied to Nelson Mandela Bay will apply in these districts from midnight tonight and will continue until we see a clear and sustained decline in infections.
While these hotspot areas require particular attention, the festive season poses significant risks for the entire country.
We have therefore been undertaking consultations in provinces, including at municipal level, on the measures that need to be taken to contain the second wave.
There have been extensive deliberations within the National Coronavirus Command Council and the President’s Coordinating Council, which brings representatives of national, provincial and local government together.
Molefe Seeletsa Meanwhile, the Garden Route is also experiencing hospital bed shortages due to a second wave of Covid-19 infections. Picture for illustration. A healthcare worker rearranges protective face masks in an intensive care unit (ICU) in a Stockholm hospital is pictured on 11 June 2020, during the Covid-19 pandemic. Picture: Jonathan NACKSTRAND/AFP
Presenting its data findings on the second wave on Monday, Discovery Health chief executive officer (CEO) Dr Ryan Noach revealed that South Africa’s infection rates were following a similar pattern to Europe’s second wave.
“South Africa is now clearly in a second wave. The Eastern Cape and Western Cape, in particular, are currently experiencing a surge in new infections with a well-established second wave, and we fully expect the imminent emergence of a second wave in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN)