Makhura: ‘We cannot move to level 3 without full compliance to level 4 regulations’

Gauteng premier David Makhura said the province would only move to level 3 once the government was satisfied with compliance with health regulations.

He said it would be “dangerous and chaotic” for the province to swiftly move to level 3 without ensuring level 4 regulations were adhered to.

“A greater level of compliance with health measures such as wearing masks and all businesses complying will get us there,’’ he said.

This was despite a significant drop in Covid-19 active cases from 38% to 28% and an increase in recoveries amounting to 1 470.

Makhura said a full economic re-opening, without full health measures in place, would see the health system being overwhelmed, and feared that more lives would be lost.

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Makhura indicated that Covid-19 hotspots in the province were shifting to the townships.

‘‘Although  recorded cases are low in these areas given population density and vulnerability, the infections could grow rapidly,” he said.

“The risk of transmission in townships is higher because in one house you can have intergenerational families staying together.

“This makes it hard to keep social distancing.”

He said these areas were vulnerable because of constraints to access to health care, water and sanitation due to high levels of poverty.

“Because of this, the province must step up its health interventions in those areas.’’

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Parts of Soweto, Orange Farm, KwaThema, Thembisa, Ivory Park and Soshanguve were amongst the emerging hotspots.

Makhura said the government would now target these areas and re-direct the health interventions to them.

“We will not wait until there are a thousand cases. Only one case in a densely populated area can be deadly.”

He said up to 1 600 additional beds will be distributed to health facilities near these areas.

The government would also ramp up health measures at Chris Hani Baragwanath, Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital and Tshwane district hospitals.

The health department also secured over a million personal protective wear for frontline workers and taxi ranks amongst other areas.

Regarding food parcels, he said the province had distributed food to almost half a million people.

“We have not reached all the people who asked for help, but the number is too high and we are trying to reach all of them. ‘’

Makhura said over 3.4 million people have been screened and 127 030 people tested thus far.

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