Tshwane increases vaccination sites as Covid-19 cases exceed 3 000

The Tshwane metro has increased the number of vaccination sites in Tshwane, from five to 14 sites.

“We are ecstatic to announce that we have managed to secure nine additional sites,” said Tshwane mayor Randall Williams.

The sites are KT Motubatse clinic (hall) in Soshanguve, Phedisong 4, Community Healthcare Centre in Ga-Rankuwa, Suurman clinic (hall), Laudium community healthcare centre, Atteridgeville clinic (hall), Weskoppies hospital in Pretoria West, Tshwane rehabilitation hospital, Rayton clinic (hall) and Nellmapius clinic, which operates from Monday to Friday – from 07:30 until 15:00.

“The additional vaccination sites are a remarkable milestone,” said Williams.

The new sites come in the wake of a significant increase in the number of active Covid-19 cases this week.

Active cases have now jumped to 3 072.

“This is yet again another noticeably high week on week increase in active cases,” he said.

In the previous week, the figure stood at 2 156 active cases.

“New confirmed cases per day have also been consistently increasing,” said Williams.

Covid-19 cases have been as follows since last week:

– On Thursday 435 new cases

– Friday: 439 new cases

– Saturday: 343 new cases

– Sunday: 517 new cases

– Monday 296 new cases

Williams said the continued increase in active cases was concerning.

He said it was also important that every person who was eligible to register for vaccination in this current phase of the rollout, “please do so”.

Phase 2 of the vaccination rollout is targeting the elderly from the age of 60 and above.

Williams and MMCs Mare-Lise Fourie and Sylvester Phokoje were also able to get vaccinated at the Atteridgeville community hall, as they were over the age of 60.

“I would like to reassure our residents that the vaccines are safe and emphasise the importance of ensuring that you are registered.

“The staff at our vaccination sites are very professional and informative. I am confident that they will treat everyone with care and dignity.”

The metro’s health services department, with the support of the Gauteng provincial government, launched phase 2 of mass vaccination at the old council chamber, Sammy Marks centre, last week, for the following sites:

Soshanguve block JJ clinic, Zithobeni clinic, Eersterust community healthcare centre, Kekana Gardens (hall), FF Ribeiro (council chamber) operating from 07:30 until 15:00 – Monday to Friday.

The Gauteng province has also increased the public vaccination sites from 28 to 63 spread across the five regions of the province:

Johannesburg has a total of 18, Tshwane 14, Ekurhuleni 14, West Rand 10 and Sedibeng seven vaccination sites.

Gauteng health spokesperson Kwara Kekana said as of Saturday, 40 028 people were vaccinated at old age homes and health facilities across the province.

“To date, 164 191 people, including healthcare workers have been vaccinated, with 390 945 registered on the electronic vaccination data system platform.”

Kekana said phase 1B of the vaccination programme would also focus on healthcare workers, traditional practitioners and funeral parlour employees, while phase 2 of the programme was prioritising persons who were 60 years and older.

“All residents are urged to help reduce the spread of the pandemic by getting the Covid-19 vaccine when their turn comes. However, the public is urged not to visit the vaccination sites until they have received an SMS advising them to do so.”

She said receiving the vaccination against Covid-19 was one of the best ways to protect oneself and loved ones.

“It should be noted that people can still contract the Covid-19 even if they have been vaccinated.”

She said the vaccine only boosted the immune system to prevent severe illness, hospitalisation, and death in the event one contracted the disease.

“By vaccinating and adhering to the non-pharmaceutical interventions we can reduce the spread of Covid-19 and keep the economy open.”