COVID-19: KZN premier concerned over rise in cases

KwaZulu-Natal has seen a significant spike in COVID-19 infections, particularly entering the new year, something which Premier Sihle Zikalala has expressed worry about. Between 30 December 2020 and 2 January 2021, the province has picked up close to 16 000 cases.

“We are extremely concerned that we have started the New Year on a bad note, having breached the 5000 mark for daily COVID – 19 infections,” Zikalala said.

He along with members of the provincial Coronavirus Command Council gave an update on Sunday, 03 January 2021, on the latest figures pertaining to the fight against the pandemic.

KZN has recorded 213 473 cases of COVID-19 since the first case was detected in March 2020, while the death toll is at 4 642.

COVID-19: Non-compliance, hindrances to contact tracing

Zikalala added that the six areas which have been declared hotspot areas (EThekwini, UMgungundlovu, Ugu, Harry Gwala, King Cetshwayo, and Ilembe) have been recording a high number of cases daily.

He said they have also seen an increase in family clusters, which indicates that infected family members are not complying with self-quarantine and self- isolation rules.

“There are also a number of home deaths, and people dying on arrival at health facilities, which is a clear indication that people are reporting late to health facilities,” Zikalala said.

“We have also noticed that there is an increase in the number of index cases who are refusing to give a list of their contacts. This is highly problematic, as it hampers contact tracing, which is the cornerstone of the public health response to COVID – 19. We are also concerned that some contacts are refusing to be tested”

KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sihle Zikalala

In light of the second wave, Zikalala said the province has prepared more beds in response to the demand. This includes the repurposing of 540 beds in Ethekwini, Ilembe and Harry Gwala as well as commissioning of field hospitals which will give KZN an additional 954 beds.

“Since confirmation of the country’s first COVID – 19 case in March 2020, we as Government have moved swiftly to create bed capacity, as well as made available human and material resources to be able to deal with COVID –19,” the premier said.

“We have helped a countless number of people with getting screened, tested and admitted for isolation or quarantine, which has contributed positively to the number of people who have recovered from COVID – 19”