WESTERN CAPE NEWS - During his weekly digital press conference today, Thursday 10 June, Western Cape Premier Alan Winde announced that the Western Cape is entering a third wave of COVID-19 infections.
In the last week alone, the number of active cases increased by 1699 cases, or by 38%.
"We now have 6108 active cases, more than double the number of active cases recorded this time last month," said Winde.
"Our ‘R’ or reproductive number has remained above 1, meaning the number of infections continues to increase. And the number of admissions in our hospitals have also grown, breaching the 1000 admissions mark yesterday.
"All of these indicators point to a period of acceleration in our curve, which will sadly result in more hospitalisations and deaths in the Western Cape."
He added: "Our current projections are that this third wave will be less severe than the second wave, but we cannot be sure at this stage. That is why it requires every single person to play their part to “flatten the curve” by making sure that you don’t get infected by COVID-19 or spread COVID-19 during this time.
"With vaccines starting to arrive in South Africa, we are a small step closer to beating COVID-19. That is why we must not give up now and why we must fight back by protecting ourselves and our loved ones."
"WC health platform shows an average of 430 new COVID-19 infections per day"
"In the Western Cape, the active number of COVID-19 infections is increasing, and we are now seeing an average of 430 new diagnoses per day," said Winde. "Admissions to our hospitals are further increasing with 52 new admissions per day. We are also seeing that the proportion of positive COVID-19 results has increased to an average of 11.3%."
In the Cape Metro:
• Overall, there is a 30% week on week increase in cases in the Metro; and
• All the sub-districts, except for Khayelitsha, are seeing a clear increase in cases. Most cases diagnosed are still in the private sector.
In the rural districts:
• The number of new cases in rural areas has also increased, with all sub-districts except for Central Karoo showing an increasing trend; and
• The Cape Winelands has mostly private cases, while the rest of rural districts have more of a mix of both public and private.
Insofar as the health platform is concerned, there are:
• Currently 1028 COVID-19 patients in our acute hospitals (457 in public hospitals & 571 in private hospitals). This excludes persons under investigation and cases in specialised hospital settings.
• The Metro hospitals have an average occupancy rate of 94%; George drainage area hospitals at 68%; Paarl drainage area hospitals at 76% and Worcester drainage area hospitals at 73%.
• COVID-19 and persons under investigation cases currently make up 7% of all available acute general hospital capacity in both the Metro and Rural Regional Hospital drainage areas.
• COVID-19 inter-mediate care: the Brackengate Hospital of Hope currently has 42 patients (3 475 cumulative patients), Freesia and Ward 99 has 0 patients, Mitchell Plain Hospital of Hope has 0 patients and Sonstraal currently has 3 patients.
• The Metro mass fatality centre has capacity for 240 bodies; currently 2 decedents (cumulative total of 1435 bodies) admitted. The overall capacity has been successfully managed across the province.
"The Western Cape has prepared itself for the third wave"
The Western Cape Government has taken a number of steps to prepare itself for a third wave in this province.
For more information on our plans for the third wave, view Winde's press statement here.
“We need your help to flatten the curve"
"The most powerful weapon to slow the spread of the virus remains our residents and their behaviour," added Winde. "So please, heighten your vigilance significantly because the chances of getting infected is increasing as the number of active cases increase."
Please:
• Wear your face mask when in public or with people outside your household and wear it properly.
• Avoid non-essential gatherings, and if you must meet, keep it small, short and outside.
• Protect those at highest risk of serious COVID-19 infection in your own family and friendship circle.
• Wash or sanitise your hands regularly.
• Avoid the 3Cs, of crowded places, confined spaces with poor ventilation and close contact.
• Be responsible – avoid situations where the risk of spreading the virus increases.
Infection update:
As at 13:00 on 10 June, the Western Cape had 6108 active COVID-19 infections.
Total number of COVID-19 cases to date - 299 208
Total recoveries - 281 177
Total deaths - 11 923
Tests conducted - 1 687 015
Hospitalisations - 1028, of which 247 are in high care or ICU
By 17:00 on 9 June, the Western Cape Government had administered:
Additional data is available on the Western Cape COVID-19 data dashboard.
You can also view the Western Cape Government’s vaccine registration dashboard here.
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