Consider prevention, early treatment for Covid-19 – AfriForum

AfriForum has called on the government to consider alternative methods of prevention and early treatment in curbing the spread of Covid-19.

The organisation’s head of research Barend Uys said the time had come for government to implement other solutions to curb the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Prevention and early treatment with a combination of medicines, including Ivermectin, can prevent hospitals from becoming overwhelmed and can also save lives.”

This after President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the nation about the latest measures which government would implement from the early hours of Wednesday to curb the spread of the virus.

He also announced that the country would move back to level 3 of the lockdown.

Uys, however, said it was time that government considered alternative measures.

“The data shows that lockdowns that destroy businesses and jobs do not have a significant impact on the spread of Covid-19 infection. The time has come for government to also implement other solutions to curb the pandemic,” he said.

He added that different steps needed to be taken simultaneously to fight the deadly virus with the aim of preventing negative consequences for the economy, further indicating that infections could be prevented and lives saved “very cost-effectively”.

To tackle the ever-rising number of infections, Ramaphosa not only adjusted the national alert level of lockdown for the country, he also announced further adjustments to regulations.

This saw curfew hours being shifted to between 22:00 and 04:00 while non-essential establishments would be required to close by 21:00 and the maximum number of people at indoors gathering not exceeding 50 while only 100 could be permitted at outdoor events.

Ramaphosa also announced that the number of people who were allowed at funerals and cremations was once again shifted to not more than 50.

The sale of alcohol from retail outlets for off-site consumption would only be permitted between 10:00 and 18:00 from Monday to Thursday, excluding public holidays.

“Alcohol sales for on-site consumption will be permitted as per license conditions up to 21:00 [while] alcohol consumption in all public spaces is strictly forbidden,” he said.

Earlier this week, Tshwane metro mayor Randall Williams urged residents to continue adhering to restrictions following a “significant” week-on-week increase in the number of active cases.

By Monday, the number of active cases was said to be at 10 971.

“This is yet another significant increase which serves as a stark reminder that we are in the midst of the third wave. In the previous week, the number of active Covid-19 cases stood at 6 492,” he said.

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