Covid-19: Gauteng’s storm is still rumbling

Gauteng Province has not yet experienced its Covid-19 peak, despite the latest figures showing a downward trend.

This is according to the province’s MEC for Health, Dr Bandile Masuku, speaking at the Gauteng Provincial Command Council press briefing earlier today.

During July, the lowest number of new cases – 2 556 – was recorded on the 21st while the highest number (6 531) was confirmed on the 9th.

There had been a downward trend since 9 July the MEC said, but was quick to add that “the time to celebrate has not yet come”.

“We are not yet excited about the drop because it doesn’t mean that we are over the peak, it just means that the effort we have put in is working.

“We need to continue with our efforts and interventions to make sure the downward trend becomes sustainable.”

As of 23 July, Gauteng had recorded 148 854 confirmed cases of Covid-19, with 70 270 of these being active.

“We are now in the middle of the storm. Some 36 percent of all cases and more than 42 percent of active cases in the country are found in Gauteng, making us the epicentre of the pandemic,” MEC Masuku said.

The Western Cape had the highest number of Covid-19 related deaths at 2 780 (46 percent of the national total). The Eastern Cape was second, with 1 393 deaths (23 percent), and Gauteng third with 1 187 deaths (19 percent).

Gauteng however led the country in recoveries, with 33 percent of the national total.

The province’s three metros were the largest contributors to the Covid-19 numbers. The City of Johannesburg accounted for 63 760 of the confirmed cases, with 27 359 being active. Some 431 deaths had been recorded and the recovery rate stood at 46 percent, with 35 970 recoveries reported.

Ekurhuleni and Tshwane came in at second and third respectively. Ekurhuleni had recorded 33 243 confirmed cases, 21 453 recoveries and 317 deaths, and Tshwane 27 905 confirmed cases, 13 085 recoveries and 214 deaths.

MEC Masuku said it was pleasing to see the number of active cases finally matching recoveries.

“The point of intersection between the recoveries and active cases gives us hope that yes, this pandemic can be beaten.”

Between 16 and 23 July, Gauteng recorded an additional 26 141 recoveries while only adding 4 484 active cases and 334 deaths.

Notice: Coronavirus reporting at Caxton Local Media aims to combat fake news

Dear reader,
As your local news provider, we have the duty of keeping you factually informed on Covid-19 developments. As you may have noticed, mis- and disinformation (also known as “fake news”) is circulating online. Caxton Local Media is determined to filter through the masses of information doing the rounds and to separate truth from untruth in order to keep you adequately informed. Local newsrooms follow a strict pre-publication fact-checking protocol. A national task team has been established to assist in bringing you credible news reports on Covid-19.
Readers with any comments or queries may contact National Group Editor Irma Green (irma@caxton.co.za) or Legal Adviser Helene Eloff (helene@caxton.co.za).