Covid-19: Expert warns lockdown will continue if cases aren't reduced
- Professor Salim Abdool Karim has cautioned that ending the lockdown abruptly could see all the efforts thus far rendered null and void
- Part of the Covid-19 ministerial advisory committee, Karim has already made it clear that another extension may be on the cards
- This comes as the number of cases in SA increased to 2 272 cases and 27 fatalities
PAY ATTENTION: Click “See First” under the “Following” tab to see Briefly.co.za News on your News Feed!
Professor Salim Abdool Karim has warned against ending the lockdown in a hurry, pointing out that lifting all regulations could see all the efforts put in rendered useless.
Part of the ministerial committee tackling the virus, Karim is already discussing a possible extension on the 34-day lockdown.
Karim says that if the number of infections exceeds 90 on a daily basis between 10 and 16 April the lockdown would need to be continued.
Either way, the professor says a systematic plan is needed to ease the lockdown when it comes to an end:
"We know if we end the lockdown and we end it abruptly, we may run the risk of undoing all of the effort and the benefit we have achieved. Because then we would be putting high risk and low risk of undoing all the effort and benefit we have achieved because we will be putting high risk and low-risk people together travelling in the same buses, taxis and trains.
"We have to avoid that situation, we have to plan for a systematic easing of the lockdown, starting with transport hubs then working our way down from the lowest to highest risk.”
READ ALSO: Covid-19 : Report indicates virus will hit peak in September
Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize has confirmed the latest figures, revealing that 2 272 people have tested positive for the coronavirus with 27 fatalities noted.
Despite the warning over a possible extension, Karim noted that South Africa's Covid-19 curve has taken on a different projection in comparison to other countries.
Briefly.co.za reported that Mkhize had pointed out the number of infections has declined drastically since the implementation of the lockdown.
Enjoyed reading our story? Download BRIEFLY's news app on Google Play now and stay up-to-date with major South African news!
Source: Briefly News
