POLOKWANE – In the week of July 4 to 11, Limpopo recorded a 51.1% positivity rate in terms of the number of tests conducted. Statisticians estimate a normal positivity rate at around 5% to 6%.
Monday’s official statistics showed that there were 9 782 active cases in the province with 1 086 patients at the time being hospitalised.
A total of 60 patients were being treated in various hospitals’ intensive care units.
Health MEC spokesperson Thilivhali Muavha agrees that at the current rate, Limpopo is not out of the woods yet.
While the recovery rate for the same period brought some relief, many role players in secondary service industries such as funeral services say the demand of the third wave is leaving them strained and stretched for resources.
Muavha was confident that the department was handling the hospital admissions.
“Our hospitals have plans in place to convert wards. Most patients who are admitted don’t need ventilation and only stay in hospital for a few days before they are discharged in good condition.
“The Delta variant, however, remains deadly and our people should stay safe and follow Covid-19 protocol. If we are able to work together as a nation, we can defeat this virus.”
Polokwane Observer spoke to funeral service providers in the city about the challenges they currently face.
According to Sanet de Beer, the branch manager at Avbob Polokwane, they have seen a 100% increase in demand for burials or funeral services in recent weeks.
“The demand is now around the clock. Luckily, we have learnt some lessons from the second wave and are well-positioned to handle the capacity. We put measures in place to increase our capacity and we are currently coping with the increased demand.”
She confirmed that Avbob will continue to render services throughout the third wave.
André de Lange, the owner of Martin’s Funerals Limpopo, says they noticed a peak in Covid-19 related deaths a week ago and are currently sitting at an increased demand of around 50%.
“About a week ago we saw a huge demand, but it does seem to be tapering off. We were able to deal with the demand mainly because we are able to offer services from various branches that assisted in increasing our capacity.”
The general manager of Pietersburg Funeral Services, who opted not to be named, says they experienced the second wave worse than the current one.
“The last few weeks were busy and there is an increase in demand but it was a gradual increase, unlike the spike that we saw in the second wave. We are, however, anticipating a further increase in the next few weeks and are ready to assist.”
Also read: Covid-19 in Limpopo: Funeral parlours under immense pressure
