GARDEN ROUTE DISTRICT NEWS - The Garden Route District has seen the most Covid-19 related deaths over the course of one weekend yet, since the start of the pandemic.
From 08:00 on Friday 11 December to 08:00 on Monday 14 December, a total of 38 people lost their lives due to the virus, head of Disaster Management Gerhard Otto said this afternoon.
The breakdown of the death toll in each municipal district is as follows: George (20); Mossel Bay (10); Knysna (4); Bitou (2); Oudtshoorn (1) and Hessequa (1).
This brings the death toll in the district to 659.
“Currently we have an issue with storage at the undertakers,” said Otto. “The funeral undertakers have been advised to try and finalise funerals within three days of receipt of a body.”
Asked what he expects to hear from tonight’s “family meeting” with president Cyril Ramaphosa, Otto said his “guestimate” is that the Garden Route might follow the same route as Nelson Mandela Bay, with restrictions on the number of people at gatherings. “I wouldn’t be surprised if the beaches will be closed - or if only a limited number of people are granted access - on the festive days such as Christmas, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.”
Feedback from the provincial joint operations centre (Joc) is expected soon after Otto’s request for the help of the South African National Defence Force in the district over the Christmas holiday.
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