Declining Covid-19 daily cases due to behavioural changes eases pressure on Gauteng health system

According to the Covid-19 cases stats by the Department of Health in the province, there has been a steady decline in the number of new confirmed Covid-19 infections since peaking in June and mid-July, reported.

Speaking at the Gauteng weekly media update on Thursday, the department’s clinicians reported that the declining number of daily cases has eased the pressure on the health facilities.

The downward trend was attributed to non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPI’s) such as wearing masks, hand washing and adherence to social distancing practiced by members of the public.

Chairperson of the Premier’s Advisory Committee (PAC), Dr Mary Kawonga cautioned that although the significant decline is encouraging, the province was still going through the Covid-19 storm and “should remain vigilant”.

Gauteng Premier David Makhura, however, cautioned the public not to be comfortable with the declining stats but continue to practice safety measures.

On Wednesday the department recorded about 622 new Covid-19 cases in the province, this brought the total to 194 685 thus far.

The province’s Covid-19 recoveries stood at 152 061 and  2 761 Covid-19 related deaths.

The Department of Health said out of 97 065  contacts traced (individuals who were in contact with a person who tested positive for Covid-19), 75 631 people have completed the 14 days monitoring period, with no symptoms reported and were de-isolated.

The number of hospitalised people due to Covid-19 in the province stood at 4 091.

Breakdown per district of cases and recoveries:

– Johannesburg: 78 794 cases and 65 129 recoveries

– Ekurhuleni: 43 469 cases and 39 879 recoveries

– Tshwane:  40 755 cases and 28 954 recoveries

– Sedibeng: 12 995 cases and 7 680 recoveries

– West Rand: 12 547 cases and 10 419 recoveries

Sub-district totals:

City of Tshwane 40 755 cases breakdown:

– City of Tshwane 1: Ga-Rankuwa, Mabopane, Winterveldt, Soshanguve, Rosslyn, Karen Park, Wonderboom, Akasia, Nina Park, Orchards, Amandasig, Theresa Park, Pretoria North (8 978);

– City of Tshwane 2: Hammanskraal, Temba, Suurman, Dilopye, Stinkwater, Ramotse, New Eersterust, Kameeldrift, Pyramid/Rooiwal, Doornpoort, Kekana Gardens, Marokolong, Randstown, Kanana (2 925);

– City of Tshwane 3: Atteridgeville, Laudium, Pretoria CBD, Hercules, Danville, Saulsville, Lotus Gardens, Pretoria West (12 640);

– City of Tshwane 4: Lyttelton, Eldoraigne, Waterkloof, Olievenhoutbosch, Rooihuiskraal, Centurion, Brooklyn, Hatfield (6 452);

– City of Tshwane 5: East Lynne, Rayton, Cullinan, Dewagensdrift, Refilwe, Silverton, Onverwacht (883);

– City of Tshwane 6: Eersterust, Lethabong, Mamelodi, Silver Lakes, Garsfontein, Lynnwood, Queenswood, Wilgers, Waltloo, Equestria, Mooikloof, Brummeria (7 741); and

– City of Tshwane 7: Ekangala, Sokhulumi, Dark City, Zithobeni, Bronkhorstspruit, Kanana, Rethabiseng (1 023).

In the Tshwane district, the department reported 113 unallocated cases.

City of Johannesburg 78 794  cases breakdown:

– City of Johannesburg A: Diepsloot, Kya Sands, Dainfern, Midrand, Lanseria, Fourways, Ivory Park (7 934);

– City of Johannesburg B: Randburg, Rosebank, Emmarentia, Greenside, Melville, Mayfair, Northcliff, Parktown, Parktown North (8 546);

– City of Johannesburg C: Roodepoort, Constantia Kloof, Northgate, Florida, Bram Fisherville (10 324);

– City of Johannesburg D: Doornkop, Soweto, Dobsonville, Protea Glen (18 231);

– City of Johannesburg E: Alexandra, Wynberg, Sandton, Orange Grove, Houghton (12 877);

– City of Johannesburg F: Inner City, Johannesburg South (13 597); and

– City of Johannesburg G: Orange Farm, Weilers Farm, Ennerdale, Lenasia, Eldorado Park, Protea South (6 922).

The department reported 363 unallocated cases within the district.

Ekurhuleni 43 469 cases breakdown:

– Ekurhuleni East 1: Etwatwa, Daveyton, Brakpan, Tsakane (5 497);

– Ekurhuleni East 2: Springs, Kwa-Thema, Duduza, Nigel (4 817);

– Ekurhuleni North 1: Birchleigh, Birchleigh North, Bonaero Park, Crystal Park, Erin, Ethafeni, Kempton Park, Olifantsfontein, Tembisa, Winnie Mandela (8 451);

– Ekurhuleni North 2: Bedfordview, Benoni, Boksburg, Chief Albert Luthuli, Dan Kubheka, Edenvale, Endayeni, Esangweni, Itireleng, Kemston, Lethabong, Ramaphosa, Reiger Park, Van Dyk Park (10 294);

– Ekurhuleni South 1: Alberton, Brackenhurst, Eden Park, Primrose, Germiston, Leondale, Dawn Park, Tswelopele, Vosloorus, Villa Liza (10 054); and

– Ekurhuleni South 2: Thokoza, Greenfields, Katlehong, Moleleki, Zonkizizwe, Palm Ridge, Tsietsi Sunrise View, Tamaho, Khumalo, Motsamai (4 295).

The district had 61 unallocated cases.

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Sedibeng district 12 995 cases breakdown:

– Lesedi: 1 825 cases;

– Emfuleni: 9 738 cases;

– Midvaal: 1 388 cases;

– And 44 unallocated cases.

West Rand district 12 547 cases breakdown:

– Mogale City: 6 531 cases;

– Rand West City: 3 250   cases;

– Merafong City: 2 675  cases;

And 91 unallocated cases.

On the repeated areas in the stats, the department has not yet clarified why these suburbs were mentioned more than once.

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