GAUTENG provincial government says it has started consultations regarding the reinstatement of stricter lockdown regulations to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
Premier David Makhura made the comments during a media briefing on the province’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic on Thursday.
This comes after Gauteng experienced a surge in infections over the past few weeks, sparking fears that the province may be well on its way to becoming the epicentre of the virus in South Africa.
“The Provincial Coronavirus Command Council is consulting with various sectors about the need to reinstate some of the drastic measures that will ensure that the pandemic is contained. These consultations will include the Gauteng COVID-19 Advisory Committee,” said Makhura.
“Work is currently underway to increase bed capacity and staffing in the public sector, including field hospital beds at Nasrec and Tshwane Events Centre. 4500 additional beds will be ready by the end of July, in preparation for the peak.”
“We will make representation to the National Command Council on the need to re-introduce stringent measures, including possible intermittent localised lockdowns & slowing down of re-opening of sectors and schools.”
The total number of COVID-19 cases in Gauteng is 45 944, with 12 957 recoveries as at 01 July 2020, with 244 people succumbing to the virus.
The City of Johannesburg remains the epicentre of Gauteng with 22 388 cases, 125 deaths and 7328.
It is followed by Ekurhuleni with 9845 cases 40 deaths and 2091 recoveries.
The inner city of Johannesburg is mostly affected with 5005 cases and 1766 recoveries.
The country’s economic hub has, on average, recorded 3,000 new cases daily over the past week.
(Compiled by Inside Politics staff)
