WATCH: Change your behaviour regarding Covid-19
Avoid closed spaces, crowded spaces and close-contact settings where possible.
The Provincial Command Council led by Premier David Makhura gave an update on Covid-19 in Gauteng on June 24 at the Provincial Command Centre, Ormonde.
With the sharp increase of positive cases in the province, they stressed a change in behaviour will go a long way to curb the spread of Covid-19. They urge the residents to adhere to non-pharmaceutical interventions and avoid the three Cs: closed spaces, crowded places and close-contact settings.
Chair of the premier’s advisory committee on Covid-19 Dr Mary Kawonga said individual behaviour can help in this fight.
“Hospitalisation can be reduced and the positive cases can be stopped if we behave ourselves and follow all the right protocols. Our behaviour is key,” she said.
Prof Bruce Mellado, from the committee, talked about the third-wave projections.
“Gauteng is at risk. On June 23 in Gauteng alone there were 10 806 positive cases reported. This is concerning,” noted Mellado.
Nomsa Mmope, the acting COO of Gauteng Department of Health, emphasised that people need to be vaccinated because the vaccine provides the best chance of reducing new infections, severe illness, hospitalisation and death.
“We urge more residents who are 60 years and older to register for vaccination. The more people who are vaccinated, the closer we get to the end of the pandemic. Government would also like to thank the general public for their patience and support during the roll-out of the vaccination programme.
“Gauteng government is strengthening its vaccination drive. We are stepping up our vaccination rollout programme. On June 23, the government launched its mass vaccination drive for educators, staff and school governing body personnel. So far, 10 050 educators were vaccinated and we will increase our capacity as we open up more vaccination sites. More than 125 934 educators and broader education staff in the province are expected to get vaccinated during the programme.
“However, there are exclusions – anyone who contracted Covid-19 in the past 30 days, any person that was vaccinated using another vaccine (Pfizer or using J&J under Sisonke) and any person who received the flu vaccine in the past 14 days should not be vaccinated,” she said.
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