KZN Health department warns of possible restrictions as Covid numbers rise
KZN Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane-Zulu, has described the province’s growing Covid– 19 cases as a cause for concern.
“IF the people of KwaZulu-Natal do not change their attitudes, the province is at risk of being slapped with tough new Covid-19 restrictions that are similar or more stringent than those imposed in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality.”
This is the stern warning from KZN Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane-Zulu during a press briefing last week. She described the province’s growing Covid-19 cases as a cause for concern, particularly given the rising numbers of new cases and fatalities daily.
According to the Department of Health (as of Sunday night, 13 December) KZN has reported 1613 new cases, which brings the total number of infections to 139 366. At least 120 207 people have recovered. Sadly, there have been four new deaths in the province, bringing the total number of fatalities to 3457.
“We’ve started the festive season and because we couldn’t hold the majority of activities and community programmes during the year, they’ve been shifted to the December holiday period. Unfortunately, if that is not managed properly, there’s a likelihood of them becoming super-spreader events, which might spread the virus even further.
“As a result, we are calling on the community to ensure that it continues to adhere to the protocols such as wearing their face masks, washing hands regularly, with soap and water and hand sanitiser, and maintain social distancing. We’re calling on our people to adhere to these regulations, because if they don’t, government will have to step in and be stricter.
“The president recently spoke about tightening the bolts in one municipality. We are not an exception. Should it become clear that we are becoming a hot spot as a province, the president will do the same thing to us as a province in its entirety or as certain cities and towns within the province, where the numbers are increasing. So, we are calling on our people to really ensure that they adhere to these regulations so that we are not affected adversely.”
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