COVID-19: SA urged to prepare mass graves as crisis looms

Municipalities across South Africa have been told to identify sites for mass graves as the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic might still hit the country.

At present, South Africa has a recorded death toll of 27, which is relatively low compared to countries with a similar caseload.

Preparing for the worst 

“A calm before the storm” has been the buzz phrase doing the rounds in recent weeks, and the South African Cemeteries Association (SACA) has urged cities to plan ahead as a potential crisis looms.

“Municipalities need to identify available graves in advance. If it is logistically impossible to bury huge numbers in single graves, then communal or mass graves must be prepared,” the association said in a statement.

Crisis looms on the horizon

So far, South Africa has managed to avert a crisis by implementing a lockdown, which has seen the number of daily infections drop, according to the figures reported by the government.

As of Tuesday 14 April, the country had recorded 2 415 confirmed cases, far lower than the projected curve ahead of the national lockdown, which took effect on Friday, 27 March.

Some cities have put plans into place in anticipation of a bigger disaster than what has so far been anticipated.

“According to projections provided by provincial health, which are informed by global trends, the city has recognised the possible need for mass burials,” City of Cape Town’s Zahid Badroodien is quoted by DispatchLive.

“[The city] has done preliminary identification of cemeteries with the highest value of available space which is ready and can accommodate such high numbers,” he said.

COVID-19 cases per province

The Western Cape is among the South African provinces with the highest caseloads, with its 643 cases placing it behind only Gauteng (909).

Also high up is KwaZulu-Natal with 489 known infections, along with with the highest death toll in the country.

The only other province to have crossed the three-figures mark is the Eastern Cape after recording its highest tally in a single day, bringing up its total to 174 – an increase of 70 from the previous report.

A big chunk of the EC’s caseload can be attributed to the province’s Correctional Services department, which has recorded a total of 78 infections, including prisoners and prison officials.

Close to two million people globally have been infected with the novel coronavirus, with the death toll sitting at well over 100 000.

South Africa is the continent’s COVID-19 epicentre, with Egypt a close second with 2 190 cases and 164 deaths.