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GARDEN ROUTE NEWS & VIDEO - The Garden Route saw a 110% increase in new Covid-19 cases in the past week and a sharp increase in private hospitalisations.
Nadia Ferreira, district communications officer for the Western Cape Health Department, says all sub-districts had steep increases in new cases in the past week except for Oudtshoorn that showed a minimal rise and Kannaland which remained unchanged.
"The new cases are widespread with some household clusters. It is important that we all play our part in curbing the spread. All situations are being actively monitored," she said.
In the past month, 1 200 new cases were reported with the biggest increase - 467 cases - recorded in the past week (compared with 297 in the previous week).
There were cluster outbreaks at two schools in George.
The city reported 181 new cases in the past week (96 the week before), bringing the total cases since the outbreak to 12 530.
As at Tuesday 15 June, there is a total of 767 active active cases in the district: George 280, Mossel Bay 286, Oudtshoorn 63, Knysna 48, Bitou 43, Hessequa 38 and Kannaland 9. The Western Cape is currently reporting an average of 430 daily infections.
Four vaccination sites
Vaccinations will be administered today and tomorrow, 17 and 18 June, at Thembalethu CDC, George Central Clinic, Pacaltsdorp Clinic and Uniondale Hospital.
Ferreira said 20 653 people were vaccinated in the district since the start of the vaccine programme.
"This includes healthcare workers, old age homes and public sites. The department received a lesser allocation of vaccines this week from the national government, which has impacted the number of people we will be able to vaccinate this week."
The department is planning to open more sites as vaccine supplies increase, after which more appointment slots will become available.
Vaccine supplies for SA to come through
Announcing Level 3 restrictions on Tuesday 15 June, President Cyril Ramaphosa said the contamination problems of the Johnson & Johnson (J&J) vaccine have been resolved and the Aspen plant in Gqeberha is able to go ahead and produce new doses.
"The company has committed to significantly ramp up production and begin supplying the country within the next few days."
He said J&J has indicated that it expects to deliver about two million vaccines to South Africa by the end of June. The initial J&J doses will be used to vaccinate teachers and thereafter security personnel on the frontline.
"Now that the delays in the supply of vaccines is largely resolved, our immediate task is to complete the vaccination of all those over 60 years of age without delay.
"It is estimated that we have the capacity at present to vaccinate at least 150 000 people a day, and we are planning to increase that to 250 000 a day as soon as possible."
The country has to date received nearly 2,4 million Pfizer vaccine doses. By the end of June, this should have increased to 3,1 million.
Almost two million people have received a vaccine dose.
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Level 3 restrictions
Ramaphosa said the move to apply more stringent restrictions was motivated by the sharp rise in cases. Hospitalisations in the country are up by 59% and an average of 7 500 new infections are being recorded daily. Four provinces (Gauteng, Free State, North West and Northern Cape) are officially in a third wave, while others are approaching that point.
The new restrictions applicable from Wednesday 16 June are:
Curfew from 22:00 to 04:00. Restau-rants and bars will have to close by 21:00 so staff can travel home before the curfew.
Gatherings limited to a maximum of 50 people indoors and 100 people outdoors with health protocols applicable.
Alcohol sales restricted to Monday to Thursday from 10:00-18:00 (excluding public holidays).
Alcohol consumption in all public spaces, such as beaches and parks, is forbidden.
Night vigils, after-funeral gatherings and 'after-tears' gatherings are not allowed.
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