Spike in KZN Covid-19 infections

Latest Covid-19 trends show that KZN is coming close to reaching the red zone, with more than 500 cases recorded daily.

KZN premier Sihle Zikalala said during a media briefing on Sunday that although the province’s figures are fluctuating and do not show that KZN has peaked yet, there are worrying signs of what appears to be an increase in the infection rate.

The province continues to rank as the second-highest in terms of the number of laboratory-confirmed cases countrywide, contributing 19% or 346 329 of the nation’s cases.

In the past two weeks, the overall percentage change in the number of new cases between week 24 and 25 was 40%. The actual number of new cases was 1 772 for week 24 and 2 943 for week 25.

Five districts – eThekwini, uMgungundlovu, uThukela, Amajuba and uMzinyathi – have continuously reported the highest number of cases on a daily basis.

King Cetshwayo district recorded 29 471 cases as of Sunday – the third-highest infection rate in the province.

Hospital isolation cases continue to fluctuate, with a slight increase in daily admissions in both the private and public sectors, including ICU and patients requiring ventilation.

‘About a month ago, KZN was registering an average of 130 to 150 new infections. Sometimes our infections would go as low as 70 to 80,’ said Zikalala.

‘But over the past two weeks or so, we have recorded more than 500 new cases each day with only a few exceptions, where the number would be around 400.

‘Worryingly, the province did cross the resurgence line on 9 June, but then dropped below the alert threshold on 10 June.

On 15 June we again crossed the alert line, but have remained below the threshold since 16 June.

‘In terms of our emergency early warning systems, a 10% increase in cases over a seven-day moving average will trigger an alert, while a 20% increase in cases over a seven-day moving average will trigger resurgence, which may indicate that we are entering a third wave of Covid-19 infections.’

Zikalala urged residents to abide by the regulations.

‘People should be honest and responsible enough on their own by doing the right thing, even when no one is watching. We are not only referring to the people who went to KwaHlathi, but to society in general.

‘We cannot, and should not, conduct ourselves in a manner that compromises us or our loved ones in any way.

In fact, when you look at other provinces, you begin to realise that KZN has been extremely fortunate that our numbers are still where they are.’

Schools and travel

The premier said the current increase in cases is driven to a large extent by school and family clusters.

‘We are concerned with the upcoming winter school break due to the fact that our second wave occurred during the holiday season when many people travelled to the province.

‘We welcome all the visitors who will be enjoying themselves at our beaches and other areas, however, we urge everyone to understand that we will not compromise on compliance with Covid-19 protocols.

‘Everyone should actually become much more vigilant than before in curbing the spread of the virus.

‘We reiterate that no events should violate the Level 3 lockdown regulations. Those who violate regulations will face the full might of the law.’

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