Buffalo City COVID-19 hot-spot

Photo: Rckr88 / Flickr

SA’s ‘new COVID-19 hot-spot’ now recording more cases than NMB

It seems that Nelson Mandela Bay won’t be the only metro under localised restrictions for much longer – there’s a new COVID-19 hot-spot on the radar.

Buffalo City COVID-19 hot-spot

Photo: Rckr88 / Flickr

Yet another region in the Eastern Cape has set alarm bells ringing, after the latest available data for COVID-19 cases in South Africa revealed that the Buffalo City Municipality is now ‘outdoing’ the hot-spot of Nelson Mandela Bay.

Buffalo City Metro ‘may become SA’s new COVID-19 hot-spot’

The region, which is home to the three districts of East London, Mdantsane, and King William’s Town, is now leading the charge when it comes to new infections. Indeed, it seems all areas near NMB are being dragged into difficulty.

  • The Buffalo City Muncipality recorded 400 new cases on Saturday.
  • That’s 25% higher than the figures reported in Nelson Mandela Bay, which saw roughly 300 new infections.
  • NMB is the only place in SA with localised restrictions – but this new data could soon change that.
  • The Sarah Baartman Municipality is also on the hot-spot watch list, given its proximity to the above metro regions.

COVID-19 figures for the Eastern Cape

The Eastern Cape now accounts for roughly one in six of all coronavirus cases recorded in South Africa (since the pandemic began). In a statement shared by Zweli Mkhize, two-thirds of all newly reported deaths in the country occurred in the province. These stats – including those from Buffalo City and NMB – remain a cause for concern.

“Regrettably, 154 more COVID-19 related deaths were reported across South Africa on Saturday, with the Eastern Cape accounting for 97 of them. A total of 5 399 people have died in the province due to the virus. We convey our condolences to the loved ones of the departed and thank the health workers that treated the deceased.”

Health Minister Zweli Mkhize