Covid-19 recovery rate decreases

Even though over 37 000 patients have recovered from Covid-19 in Mpumalanga, the province recently experienced a slight decrease in its recovery rate, from 95 to 83 per cent.

According to the MEC for health, Sasekani Manzini, this is due to the increase in daily active Covid-19 cases.

“An increase of 98,3 per cent was recorded in week 53 of 2020, towards the end of December. All districts reported an increase in cases, with Nkangala recording the highest. Our data shows that females account for 55 per cent of the overall cases in Mpumalanga. The majority of cases recorded are in the 30-39 age group, that is 27 per cent, followed by 20 per cent for the 40 to 49 age group. This shows that the majority of active Covid-19 cases come from the economically active working category,” said Manzini.

As of Monday, the province reported 53 180 positive Covid-19 cases and 785 deaths. The number of positive cases had risen by 1 246.

“The highest reported number of new cases occurred on January 8, with 1 415 cases being reported. It is important to note that the second wave has exceeded the first wave,” Manzini pointed out.

The MEC spent the first weeks of January visiting a number of areas to monitor compliancy to Covid-19 regulations. She noted that the majority of communities and business establishments complied with the exception of only a few.

“I would like to urge the business fraternity to join government to strengthen the implementation of the Covid-19 regulations in an effort to curb the spread and exposure, and save customers’ lives,” she appealed.

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Manzini further appealed to the citizens of Mpumalanga to immediately contact the department or nearest help facilities for assistance in quarantining or isolating if they have been exposed to Covid-19 or test positive.

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Since the majority of deaths recorded in the province are within the age group of 50 to 79, Manzini urged people who reside with elderly citizens or people with comorbidities to be extra vigilant, as they remain more vulnerable to Covid-19.