Gauteng’s Covid-19 peak is coming, says premier

The central business districts of both Johannesburg and Tshwane have seen a spike in Covid-19 infections in the last two weeks.

“The numbers have doubled. All indications show that the peak is coming, but are prepared and we will be holding hands in fighting this pandemic. We are in this together,” Gauteng Premier, David Makhura announced this morning during a feedback session by the Provincial Command Council.

He said what has been learnt is that the Covid-19 hotspots keep moving, and that government was prepared for the infection peak that is expected in August and September.

According to the latest figures, Gauteng has 4 845 confirmed Covid-19 cases. In the last seven days, the Johannesburg inner city saw 146 new cases recorded.

“We have been saying we’d like for the numbers to go down, but we have also been preparing for a peak. The numbers are what they are. There are now more active cases than recoveries.”

According to the premier, Gauteng has since 25 May on average recorded more than 150 new cases per day, against the 50 cases per day shortly after the lockdown was first announced. “In the last three days, it was more than 200 per day.”

Makhura said it was expected that this trend would continue to a point where the figures would reach 300 new cases per day.

In breaking down the figures, he noted that Johannesburg now stood at 992 active cases, with the areas of Rosebank to the CBD and Mayfair at 142 cases; the Roodepoort, Florida, Constantiakloof and Northgate areas at 102 and the inner city at 229 active cases.

Ekhurhuleni stood at 425 active cases with 106 in the areas of Kempton Park, Thembisa and Winnie Mandela; 95 in the Alberton and Germiston areas and 47 in Sedibeng, which up until now has been a green area free of Covid-19.

Makhura said there were currently 77 active cases in the Tshwane CBD, up to Pretoria West and Atteridgeville, while the north-western areas of Soshanguve and Mabopane showed fewer cases thanks to quick government intervention. The Centurion area now stood at 63 active cases.

In terms of the West Rand, Makhura said the 21 May cluster outbreak witnesses in mining areas was still cause for concern while Mogale City, he announced, currently had 71 active cases.

The premier once again outlined the health protocols followed once a person tests positive, which include contact-tracing, quarantine if needed, and testing – particularly in areas where they suspect communities may be more vulnerable.

The province’s flu immunisation programme continues, he also said, adding that this applies to health workers, the elderly, children, pregnant woman and those who have chronic diseases such as HIV/Aids and TB in particular. He announced that a further milestone had been reached as six million people in the province had by now been screened for Covid-19, through community facilities, hospitals and primary healthcare facilities. He said in terms of Gauteng’s testing, the National Health Laboratory had conducted 267 178 tests.

The premier also announced that hospital admissions in the province have doubled in the past two weeks, with 42 patients currently admitted to public, and 214 patients admitted to private hospitals. Five people were currently receiving ventilator assistance.

In terms of social relief, Makhura said the province had reached the one million people milestone in terms of providing food, within a period of two months. Of these recipients, 3 133 were homeless people, he added. He appealed to churches to keep to the regulations or congregants wearing masks, sanitising and maintaining social distance, when they re-open for service this Sunday.

Makhura said up until now, Gauteng had managed relatively successfully in curbing the spread of the virus. “Evidence shows our ability to minimise and contain the spread of the virus. Science shows the time ahead will be difficult, but we will weather the eye of the storm,” the premier concluded.