News blues…
President Ramaphosa updated South Africans on the country’s response to the pandemic and laid out how we intend to cope over the next month. (25:30 mins)Summary:
President Ramaphosa began with heartfelt appreciation for South Africans who observed five days of mourning for those dead from Covid-19 and from gender-based violence (GBV)
His update on worldwide Covid numbers – SA has dropped on the list from 5th to 14th – included the realities of a resurgence of infections across the country that is exacting a heavy toll: 887,200 people infected since March, with a recovery rate 92%, and 21,803 deaths.
There’s a marked rise in new infections and more infected people in hospital. We went from 1,500 new cases per day, to 2,900 the last week of November to 4,400 new as of yesterday (December 2)
Three areas of the country suffering particularly:
Nelson Mandela Bay
Sarah Bartman area
The Garden Route (due to the interprovincial movement of seasonal workers)
Eastern and Western Cape showing an increase in deaths
Rise in transmission rates due to:
The plan to deal with the resurgence includes:
NCCC declares hotspots to practice new restrictions as of midnight:
No one will be left behind
WHO global access to COVAX – countries shall pool resources to ensure equitable access
SA’s Solidarity Fund will make available ZAR327 million to procure vaccines
Currently there are three trails of candidate vaccines and we’re awaiting confirmation that they’re safe, effective, and suitable for South Africans
We, people, remain out own best protection:
Avoid danger by avoiding complacency, particularly during coming festive season. This is a time for caution
Large gathering are super spreader events so take precautions to avoid spreading the virus
Let there be no relaxing on these measures and do not let down your guard with this coronavirus
Let us recommit ourselves to this fight for our lives, take steps now, stand together, and work together.
Rise in transmission rates due to:
- interprovincial travel
- people gathering in large groups – and in poorly ventilated venues such as for funerals and “after tears” parties
- increases in alcohol-related trauma admissions to hospital that divert capacity of hospitals and hospital staff to cope with Covid. Many people are NOT wearing masks or practicing proper hygiene and social distancing
The plan to deal with the resurgence includes:
- Creating more capacity for hospitals
- Expanding public health
- Increasing awareness campaigns
- “Overall, however, we must change our behavior. The resurgence is like a bush fire: we must quickly extinguish flare ups before they develop into an inferno.”
NCCC declares hotspots to practice new restrictions as of midnight:
- Curfew – 10 p to 4 am – no one outside residences, except essential workers
- Alcohol sold only between 10am and 6pm, Monday thru Thursday
- No consumption of alcohol in public spaces, including beaches and parks and in gatherings
- Restrictions on gatherings, including religious: no more than 100 indoors and 250 outdoors, and not to exceed 50 percent capacity anywhere
- All “after tears” gatherings prohibited
- We seek to take steps that are absolutely necessary. The summer season may go ahead in Eastern Cape with the risk adjusted plan approved, including:
- Strict adherence to health protocols, PPE, access to water
- NO initiation schools allowed for the interim in an effort to contain spread and save lives
- National State of Disaster extended to 15 January, 2021
- Level 1 remains throughout the country
- Everyone must play her/his part, respect rules, measures, and protocols; breaking rules will have consequences
- – Taxis: all passengers must wear masks
- Full compliance with curfews
No one will be left behind
WHO global access to COVAX – countries shall pool resources to ensure equitable access
SA’s Solidarity Fund will make available ZAR327 million to procure vaccines
Currently there are three trails of candidate vaccines and we’re awaiting confirmation that they’re safe, effective, and suitable for South Africans
We, people, remain out own best protection:
- Through wearing a mask in public and staying safe
- Practicing social distancing
- avoiding gatherings
- Washing/sanitizing hands
Avoid danger by avoiding complacency, particularly during coming festive season. This is a time for caution
Large gathering are super spreader events so take precautions to avoid spreading the virus
Let there be no relaxing on these measures and do not let down your guard with this coronavirus
Let us recommit ourselves to this fight for our lives, take steps now, stand together, and work together.
***
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Meanwhile, back at the ranch…
Covid careful Santa (“Father Christmas”) greeted me at the local grocery store.