HEALTH Minister Zweli Mkhize has announced that South Africa has officially entered the second wave of COVID-19 infections, sparking fears that the country may be heading to another lockdown as the festive season approaches.
Mkhize’s announcement follows reported infections in the wake of matric festivals and various super-spreader events across the country.
“We are now is a second wave. Four provinces are the key drivers of this new wave. They are Eastern Cape, Western Cape, KwaZulu Natal and Gauteng.
“Up to the last week, the increase was mainly in Eastern Cape and the Western Cape in specific districts. But now we have numbers that indicate we are in a second wave.”
Medical experts and doctors say that a second wave of COVID-19 across South Africa is due primarily to the relaxation of lockdown measures, increased public laxity (wearing masks, distancing), and the fact that the majority of the population remains vulnerable to infection.
Mkhize said 6,079 COVID-19 cases have been reported in the past 24 hours.
The total number of cases in the country is 828,592.
Up to the last week, the increase was mainly in the Eastern and Western Cape in specific districts, however, the minister has said the country is experiencing infection numbers that indicate a second wave nationally.
Mkhize said the age distribution has also shown a different pattern from the norm.
The age group 15-19 years showed the highest number of cases over the past two days, a trend the minister says is due to young people attending large gatherings that show a lack of social distancing, mask-wearing and other public intervention strategies.
“The age distribution has also shown a different pattern form the norm. The age group 15-19 years showed the highest number of cases over the past two days,” said Mkhize.
Mkhize said the national government is concerned about how the country will respond to the coming festive season.
He said after our provincial visits, the health ministry’s reports are ready for Cabinet discussions.
Meanwhile, Buffalo City Metro deputy mayor Zoliswa Matana has died of COVID-19 related complications.
Matana’s death on Wednesday was confirmed by mayor Xola Pakati.
She had been admitted to an East London hospital on Sunday.
(SOURCE: INSIDE POLITICS)
