Limpopo sees a marked increase in Covid-19 deaths
The total confirmed deaths in Limpopo stand at 33, not 44 as earlier indicated by the National Department of Health
LIMPOPO – Covid-19 fatalities in the province have increased by 23 in July. As of Thursday, 9 July the positive cases in the province stand on 2 3 81, recoveries on 665 and 33 deaths, according to the National Department of Health.
Earlier this week the department indicated that Limpopo’s deaths stood at 44. This has since been corrected. In a statement the department indicated that a data interpretation error earlier this week led to the mistake. “The current total deaths in Limpopo are 33 (not 44 as reported yesterday, Wednesday, 8 July). This was a data interpretation error which has been corrected,” the statement reads.
09 July 2020 #COVID19 statistics in South Africa #CoronaVirusSA #Corona #CoronaVirusUpdate pic.twitter.com/cyZtoZqQzy
— National Department of Health (@HealthZA) July 9, 2020
MEC of Health in the province, Dr Phophi Ramathuba, during a virtual press conference on Thursday, 9 July, confirmed that there are 33 deaths in the province and that the deaths recorded, were not because of a shortage of ventilators. “Only one person is on a ventilator at the Pietersburg Provincial Hospital,” she said.
She added that the public hospitals have 54 ventilators available, and would cope well if the infection rate stays at 2%. “Should the infection rate increase to 10%, it would put pressure on the health system,” she said.
https://www.citizen.co.za/review-online/436498/covid-19-gauteng-patients-fill-up-limpopo-hospitals/
Another 150 ventilators have been ordered by the department, but have not yet been delivered, Ramathuba said.
She reiterated that people die because of comorbidities and because they come to hospitals too late to intervene. “Three persons have so far died from Covid-19 while at home.”
She concluded that there is still is a testing backlog, and cautioned people who have been in contact with Covid-19 positive patients, not to test too soon only because they are anxious.
“Be self-disciplined and act responsibly. Rather stay at home and avoid crowds and crowded areas, and follow the regulations.”
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