EASTERN CAPE NEWS - In his address to the nation last week Wednesday, President Cyril Ramaphosa highlighted evidence of a spike in Covid-19 infections, specifically in the Eastern Cape's Sarah Baartman district.
"In the last week, the number of new cases in the province was 50% higher than the week before, and the total number of new cases in the last 14 days was around 145% higher than the previous 14 days," Ramaphosa said.
He added that, due to the large number of people moving between the Eastern Cape and other provinces, it is just a matter of time before the surge spreads across the country.
According to a report released by Eastern Cape Department of Health Spokesperson, Siyanda Manana, 86,8% of the newly reported cases as of 16 November were from the Nelson Mandela Bay and Sarah Baartman municipal district.
Ten per cent of the cases were from Blue Crane Metro, Chris Hani and Amathole. The total number of Covid-19 cases in the Eastern Cape was 108 993. Of these cases, 10 669 were in the Sarah Baartman district.
The province has seen 4 086 Covid-related deaths, with 299 in Sarah Baartman.
"The recovery rate has decreased from 87,5% to 88,4% in the last 24 hours, and public measures need to be intensified in [multiple municipal areas]. These areas include Dr Beyers Naudé Local Municipality and Sarah Baartman.
The report states that contact tracing and monitoring must be improved in these districts to minimise the spread of infection. "Positive patients must urgently be isolated and their contacts must be quarantined," the report reads.
Furthermore, prevention measures against the virus must be promoted, such as wearing a mask, washing hands regularly and social distancing.
'We bring you the latest Karoo news'
