Covid-19 deaths and cases are rising in KZN, warns Zikalala
The KZN Premier has warned that security restrictions will be re-imposed if the current trend continues.
KwaZulu-Natal Premier, Sihle Zikalala has warned that security restrictions will be re-imposed if the number of Covid-19 deaths and cases continue increasing.
“We are, nevertheless, deeply bothered by the largely care-free attitude that has been displayed by some citizens of this province, particularly since our downgrading to Lockdown Alert Level 1,” said Zikalala during a media briefing at the eThekwini Disaster Centre on Sunday.
“Despite our warnings about tangible examples of a second wave of infections and deaths, it seems that many people have thrown all caution to the wind and gone back to their old ways. Gone are the masks and sanitizing of hands, as well as adhering to social distancing.”
According to provincial stats, there was a 28 per cent increase in Covid-19 cases in the past two weeks and also 186 deaths in the same period.
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The total Covid-19 deaths for KZN stand at 3192 as of 25 October, making it the fourth highest province in the country behind Eastern Cape (3552), Western Cape (4325) and Gauteng (4703).
Zikalala has blamed this largely on reckless behaviour from entertainment and liquor establishments.
Over the weekend, Police Minister Bheki Cele accompanied police to a raid of bars, shebeens and clubs around Sandton who were not complying to the mandated midnight curfew.
Zikalala has warned that establishments not adhering to the regulations will suffer consequences.
“Reckless trading in alcohol therefore has the potential to derail all the progress that we have made in preparing our healthcare systems for a potential onslaught of Covid – 19. Therefore, failure to adhere to the restrictions is an affront to the state, and undermine the progress we have made,” he said.
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