WRAP | President Ramaphosa to visit the Western Cape next Friday, says Zweli Mkhize

Health Minister Zweli Mkhize says the Western Cape, which is the epicentre of the Covid-19 outbreak in SA, is suffering “cluster outbreaks”, those being – where people in the same area infect each other. This was seen to be happening in factories and shops in the province.

He said the lab reports showed that the Western Cape tests were coming back with almost 70% of them being positive. The province has more than half of the national tally of cases, and the highest number of deaths. 

He said during a briefing from the province today that there may need to be different levels of lockdown applied to different areas depending on the severity of the outbreak. 

Mkhize said that there was a challenge in getting testing kits, adding that this was a global problem. 

Mkhize reiterated the importance of self-isolation, saying that even those who do not show symptoms should be admitted to hospitals for quarantine. He reminded the public that people can be forced into isolation. 

He said that Cape Town, Johannesburg, Tshwane, Nelson Mandela Bay, Buffalo City and the Umgungundlovu district in KZN are among the Covid-19 hotspot metros.

Meanwhile, it was announced that 9 420 people have tested positive for Covid-19 as of today. Eight more people have died. Seven were from the Western Cape, including a nurse, and one from KwaZulu-Natal. The Western Cape remains the epicentre, with 4 809 cases. 

He also the government has formed an occupational health committee to focus on health workers being adequately informed about Covid-19 and, more importantly, that health staff are provided with proper protective gear. He commended all front line workers, including health staff and the authorities.