Premier Allan Winde says the Western Cape is gearing up for the COVID-19 third wave, adding that the province remains on track to roll out phase 2 of the vaccine strategy.
Winde said this on Thursday during his weekly digital press conference.
“Based on all our data, I would like to issue a strong message to the residents of our province: there is no doubt that we will experience a third wave and we simply cannot relax.
“This is based not only on international experience, where in some countries the third wave is well established, but also on data from other provinces within our country,” said Winde.
1/4 While we are still in COVID-19 plateau, the third wave will come and we cannot relax. #WCDigicon
Read the full statement here: https://t.co/cagjXGn4DA pic.twitter.com/sUkvpzsU5V
— Premier Alan Winde (@alanwinde) April 22, 2021
The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) on Wednesday raised alarm over a spike in COVID-19 cases in at least three provinces.
The NICD reported that there had been an upsurge in cases in the North West, Free State and Northern Cape.
According to the latest statistics from the Health Ministry, the Northern Cape’s cumulative cases increased to 38 183, the North West’s increased to 66 023 and the Free State’s increased to 86 202.
“The team is working with the respective provinces to ascertain whether the rise in cases can be attributed to cluster outbreaks and recommend increased testing and contact tracing to contain the situation and limit further spread,” said senior epidemiologist at the NICD Dr Harry Moultrie.
Winde said, as a province, the aim was to flatten “our potential curve” and push out the onset of the third wave “while we vaccinate as many residents as possible”.
Mass vaccination campaign
“Flattening the curve and pushing it out is in all of our hands. I am concerned that some residents seem to be acting as if COVID-19 is no longer with us. What we need is a strong and fast behaviour change response to any increase in cases. We cannot let our guard down now,” said Winde.
He said the Western Cape government was working extremely hard to ensure a slick vaccination rollout.
“In this regard, we are on track to start our mass vaccination campaign on 17 May 2021, with vaccinators trained and vaccination sites selected across our province.
“Our goal is to vaccinate as many residents as possible, as quickly as possible, to mitigate the severity of the coming third wave,” he said.
The Western Cape has 1 978 active COVID-19 infections, with a total of 282 912 people having been infected with COVID-19 to date and 269 257 recoveries.
1/2 Update on the coronavirus and vaccines
As of 1pm on 22 April, the Western Cape has 1978 active COVID-19 infections, with a total of 282 912 people having been infected with COVID-19 to date and 269 257 recoveries.
Statement: https://t.co/Py9dqGkUp0 pic.twitter.com/yDNaqxgogl
— Premier Alan Winde (@alanwinde) April 22, 2021
A total of 53 507 out of the 53 820 vaccines received to date as part of the Sisonke trial, had been administered by 5pm on 21 April.
Here is a breakdown of the figures:
Total confirmed number of people ever infected with COVID-19 in WC: 282 921
Total recoveries: 269 257
Vaccines administered: 53 507
Total deaths: 11 581
Total active cases (currently infected patients): 1978
Tests conducted: 1 509 212
Hospitalisations: 723, of which 154 are in high care or ICU
The Western Cape has recorded five additional deaths since Wednesday 21 April, bringing the total number of Covid-19 related deaths in the province to 11 581.
Picture: Cape Town etc gallery
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