Infections stable in Garden Route

GARDEN ROUTE DISTRICT - The Garden Route Covid-19 figures remain stable with only one new case reported in the past week in Knysna, bringing the total for the district to 61 as at 17:00 on Wednesday 29 April.

Countless requests from readers to include the number of local recoveries in the district have been received, but the Western Cape Department of Health is currently supplying only the recoveries at provincial level.

As soon as district recovery statistics become available, we will share these with our readers.

Out of the 1 935 cases reported to date in the Western Cape, 1 273 are active and 624 have recovered.

A total of 38 people have died. There are currently 84 patients in hospital with 26 in ICU. A total of 30 803 tests have been done in the province.

National figures

The total number of Covid-19 cases in South Africa as released by the National Health Department on 28 April is 4 996, with 2 073 recoveries, 395 patients hospitalised and 93 deaths.

A total of 185 497 tests have been done and over six million people screened. Testing capacity has increased with 25 000 tests done this past week.

Mortality rate 1,9%

Health Minister Zweli Mkhize said a trend has emerged of fatalities mostly having the challenge of comorbidities (including hypertension, diabetes, obesity, asthma and lung diseases). A study by the University of the Witwatersrand showed that approximately one-third of South Africans suffer from hypertension and over 4,5 million people have diabetes. More than 70% of women and 40% of men are overweight or obese. "We still have unknown factors when it comes to HIV and Aids, and tuberculosis. South Africa has the largest numbers and is not in a position to learn from other countries."

Even so, unlike some countries in Western Europe, South Africa has a mortality rate of only 1,9%.

Fraudulent death certificates

Premier Alan Winde this week expressed concern over the use of fake death certificates by people who want to travel from the Western Cape to the Eastern Cape. "We must be sensitive to the fact that many Western Cape residents may want to return to the Eastern Cape for funerals and this is allowed under the regulations. However, there are instances of criminality and the use of fraudulent or fake death certificates."

The Premier, Transport Minister Bonginkosi Madikizela and Police Commissioner Yolisa Matakata, had met with Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane to discuss issues around taxis travelling for funerals, as well as the movement of seasonal agricultural workers between provinces. "Between us, we were able to map the way forward, which includes joint operations by both provinces, to ensure that we are able to respond to the needs of our residents, without putting either province at further risk of infection," he said.