Covid-19 spread gaining momentum in Gauteng, says premier

Premier David Makhura said the spread of Covid-19 was gaining momentum in Gauteng, and the provincial government has therefore called for the national health department’s support.

Makhura was speaking at the Gauteng Command Centre Covid-19 weekly update on Friday.

Currently, the province has 7 953 Covid-19 with 4 948 active cases this week.

The province recorded 20 Covid-19-related deaths and 3 114 new positive cases over the past seven days.

“The pandemic is gaining momentum in the province and we have to face this reality head on.

“The period ahead is going to be difficult. The number of new cases has doubled and hospital admissions increased; we need support from the national department.”

He said lack of compliance to health and safety measures at communities and workplaces will undo the work done during the lockdown to slow down the infection rate.

The reopening of the economy in Johannesburg’s and Tshwane’s central business centres contributed greatly to the spike.

The resumption of mining operations in the Ekurhuleni metro also contributed, he said.

“We need the national government to support us to ensure we have enough staff such as doctors and nurses as well as more beds”

Makhura said curbing the spread proved to be “challenging” in densely populated areas such as the Johannesburg CBD and Tshwane region 3 (Atteridgeville, Laudium, Pretoria CBD, Hercules, Danville, Saulsville, Lotus, Pretoria West) and Centurion.

Over seven million people have been screened in Gauteng.

“In Tshwane, we have screened more people than any other parts of the province with 2.4-million being screened there.”

In Tshwane, there are 1 235 hospital beds available at health facilities, while the province had an overall number of 8 301 beds.

“July is a critical month for us. We should have additional beds as we anticipate the Covid-19 peak in August. There is an increase in Covid-19 hospitalised patients of about 492, with 22 on ventilators, which means we need more.”

Makhura said about 56 schools in the province recorded Covid-19 positive cases, thus far.

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