Increase in Covid numbers a concern

Writer De Waal Steyn

The Western Cape Government is deeply concerned about the growing number of Covid-19 infections and hospitalisations in the province, which can now be considered as an established resurgence,” according to Western Cape Premier Alan Winde.

In the Overberg, the number of active cases increased from 190 on Friday 27 November to 234 on Monday 30 November, and from 41 to 64 in the Overstrand. Over the same period, the number of hospitalisations in the province increased from 1 020 to 1 104.

Winde said on Monday that no decision had been taken yet on localised restrictions as they were still seeking legal advice on what was possible, given that disaster restrictions are imposed by national government, and not by provinces.

“I must reiterate that the main priority right now is to prevent a lockdown that would devastate our economy. The best and quickest way to do this is through individuals, businesses and civil society playing their part by changing their behaviour,” he said.

A resurgence is when the number of active cases increases, week-on-week, by more than 20%. Over the last week alone, the province has witnessed a 52.1% jump in new cases, with an established pattern over time. There is also now established community transmission of the virus again in the province, which means that it is spreading within communities at a faster rate. This growth is primarily driven by two districts in the Western Cape: the Garden Route and the Cape Metro.

Click below to read more. (The full article can be found on page 5)