Covid update: Spike in cases expected as holidaymakers return home
Health experts have warned about another spike in Covid-19 cases and have suggested that Gauteng move to a Level 4 Lockdown for 21 days to curb the spread.
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Experts have warned about a possible spike in Covid-19 cases in Gauteng, the Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal. These areas are expected to see an influx of citizens returning after the holiday season.
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Briefly.co.za explores the latest updates on the pandemic below:
1. Experts weigh in on spike of cases in Gauteng
TimesLive reported that Professor Mosa Moshabela of the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) spoke about stopping new infections. Prof Moshabela stated that if Gauteng could move to Level 4 for 21 days, they should definitely do it.
Wits University vaccinology expert and SA Medical Research Council director Prof Shabir Madhi stated that the government's allowance of mass gatherings at Level 1 is the cause of the spike in Covid-19 infections.
2. Dr Zweli Mkhize on the latest statistics
Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize has once again updated South Africans on the latest Covid-19 statistics. In a statement released by the Department of Health on Sunday evening, Mkhize noted that:
"As of today, the cumulative total of Covid-19 cases identified in South Africa is 1 231 597."
In addition to the latest infections, the minister also confirmed the recorded fatalities:
"Regrettably, we report a further 339 Covid-19 related deaths: Eastern Cape 77, Free State 19, Gauteng 28, KwaZulu-Natal 71, Limpopo 14, Mpumalanga 10, Northern Cape 7 and Western Cape 113."
3. Pastor and congregants arrested
A pastor and a number of congregants have been arrested for violating lockdown regulations in Sebokeng, southern Gauteng. Police shut the prayer service down, according to a report by eNCA.
Earlier, Briefly.co.za reported on South Africans sharing their thoughts as #AlcoholBan trends online. South Africa is divided over the ban and many have taken to Twitter to share their views and air their frustrations. Take a look at some of their tweets below:
@MikeRamothwala said:
"Doctors and nurses are emotionally and physically exhausted from treating COVID-19 patients. If SAB wins its battle to lift the #AlcoholBan they must come and also treat the alcohol-related trauma cases because we currently don’t have the energy to deal with two pandemics."
@Cellular_ZA wrote:
"Let's debate guys... Doctors are complaining that they receiving lots of patients at the hospital due to alcohol, on the flip side people who are working at SAB are losing their jobs and houses... What should the president do? #AlcoholBan"
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Source: Briefly News
