The Western Cape now has 10 221 active cases of COVID-19, with a total of 95 904 confirmed cases and 82 447 recoveries as of August 4.
An additional 93 deaths were record in the province, bringing the total number of COVID-19 related deaths in the province to 3236. Of these, 33 deaths are new deaths. The remaining 60 deaths form a backlog of people who had died at home, and not at a healthcare facility. This data was received from the NICD last night and added to today’s totals.
See a breakdown of the cases below:
“As part of our efforts to ensure that we are tracking deaths as accurately as possible, we are working closely with the NICD to ensure that any excess natural deaths are recorded and accounted for. We send our condolences to the loved ones of all the deceased at this time,” said Western Cape Premier Alan Winde.
While a number of areas in the Western Cape are showing signs of declining cases, the Garden Route is still recording an increase in the numbers of infections and hospitalisations.
“As a result, we are experiencing increased pressure on our healthcare systems in the Garden Route region, specifically in the demand for high care and ICU treatment. We believe that many areas across the province are at different stages in their infection curve and the Garden Route may not yet have reached its peak. It is therefore important that we all continue to work hard to ensure that we can slow the spread across the entire province,” adds Winde.
The provincial government is committed to ensuring that they are able to manage the peak in this area as they have managed the Metro peak. Additional resources will be allocated to hospitals in the Garden Route region to assist in any way possible. Oudtshoorn and Knysna hospitals have already received equipment which is in use.
Hotspot interventions are continuing in the province. Some of these include increased communications in communities using radio, street pole posters, and loudhailing. Public and high traffic areas are also being sanitised and EPWP workers have been assigned to ensure social distancing in public places.
Checks are also being done by the Garden Route District Municipality’s environmental health practitioners to ensure people who have tested positive as well as their close contacts are continuing to self isolate. They are also attending funerals to ensure protocols are being adhered to.
Minister of Transport and Public Works, Bonginkosi Madikizela will be visiting the region over the long weekend. He will conduct roadblocks in Bitou, Knysna and George. Being a long weekend, he will be checking that long distance taxis are complying with the 70% loading regulations – he will also be conducting visits to Western Cape transport and health facilities in Knysna and George.
Minister of Health, Nomafrench Mbombo has scheduled a four day visit to the region for next week where she will be conducting oversight visits and community engagements across the district. These community engagements will be aimed at bringing about behaviour change, which is key to slowing the spread.
“To this end, we appeal to all residents of the Garden Route to continue to take all the necessary precautions to protect themselves and their loved ones,” concludes Winde.
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