For epidemiological week 33, an average of 307 cases has been reported per day, a decrease of 263 compared to the average number of daily cases for week 32 (570 cases).
The highest reported number of new cases occurred on August 9, with 508 cases being reported. Over 20 254 patients have recovered from Covid-19 in the province, with 2 371 patients still to recover (active cases).
Regrettably, 260 Covid-19 deaths have been reported in Mpumalanga. The MEC for health, Sasekani Manzini, has implored the people of the province not to drop the ball as the country moved to lockdown level 2.
“As advised by the president, Cyril Ramaphosa, it is important that our people should remain vigilant to the threat brought by Covid-19 and should continue to observe the health protocols to observe social distancing, wear fabric masks at all times and wash hands or sanitise for at least 20 seconds,” said Manzini.
She further appealed to young people to avoid social and recreational gatherings. “The departmental case management analysis shows that a number of cases emerged from such activities,” she stressed.
Report on Covid-19 deaths
The majority of deaths were recorded in Gert Sibande District (55%; 104/189). Sub-districts that recorded the highest number of deaths were, Msukaligwa (15%; 28/189), Lekwa (14%; 27/189) and Emalahleni (14%; 27/189). Males accounted for the majority of deaths (60%; 114/189). The majority of deaths were recorded in the 60 to 69 age group (34%) and the 50 to 59 age group (22%).
Age and gender breakdown of Covid-19 cases
“Our data shows that females account for 55% of the overall cases in Mpumalanga. The majority of cases are recorded in the 30 to 39 years age group (29%) followed by 20% from the 40 to 49 years age group. This shows that the majority of active Covid-19 cases come from the economically active working category,” said Manzini.
Covid-19 screening and testing
The province has conducted 131 125 Covid-19 tests, which contributes about 4% of the country’s total testing rate. About 93 227 screenings were at private sector and nationally the private sector contributes 5% of total tests, while 27 002 were done at a public sector which contributes about 2% of the total tests in the country.
The province has a testing backlog of 1 062. “The department is implementing targeted and focused screening based on disease transmission, existing and emerging hot spots.
To date, more than 6,7 million screenings were conducted in the province. More screenings are happening in communities across Mpumalanga and all our health facilities are conducting screenings. Other screenings were conducted at roadblocks, malls, old-age centres and correctional services.
“It is important to indicate that the number on screenings may exceed the population as we are also screening people who pass through our provincial borders to other provinces and as well as repeat screenings based on the risk exposure on Covid-19,” elaborated Manzini.
Healthcare workers
“The total number of healthcare workers (HCW) who have been exposed to Covid-19 is worrisome, as it has increased to 1 241 for both the public and the private sector as of August 16.
“Nkangala is leading with the number of healthcare workers exposed followed by Gert Sibande and Ehlanzeni respectively, which correlates with the caseload of the pandemic in the province.
However, the picture is in reverse when it comes to HCW from the private sector, more officials are affected by Ehlanzeni where the caseloads are fewer.
“The breakdown of HCW exposed to Covid-19 per profession indicates that more nurses are exposed compared to other categories in all the districts.
“This is understandable because nurses are more in numbers compared to the other categories in the department and they are spending more time being in contact with patients compared to the other categories,” added Manzini.
