Covid cases still declining

GARDEN ROUTE DISTRICT NEWS - The downward trend in new Covid-19 cases recorded in the Garden Route is continuing. District spokesperson for health, Nadia Ferreira, said there has been yet another decrease in new reported cases in the last seven days.

As at Tuesday 7 September, the district had 3 329 active cases.

According to Ferreira, there are now 606 active cases per 100 000 of the population (756 in the previous week).

"All sub-districts experienced decreases, except for Bitou which rose slightly, and Kannaland, which remained unchanged. Most of the new Bitou cases are from the private sector." The seven-day moving average in daily new cases is 176, according to the Western Cape Covid-19 Dashboard.

The number of active cases per sub-district as at 7 September are: George 938, Mossel Bay 753, Bitou 246, Knysna 337, Oudtshoorn 540, Kannaland 120 and Hessequa 395.

A total of 153 deaths were recorded in the district between 23 August and 7 September, bringing the total number of deaths to 2 263.

Ferreira said pressure on most hospitals is declining, including the George Regional Hospital that had 38 Covid patients in the Covid ward and 14 patients in critical care as at 7 September. Most district hospitals are also experiencing decreased pressure.

Mediclinic ICU remains full
Mediclinic George manager Kassie Karstens said although it is quieter in the hospital, Covid-19 is still very present. "There are constantly 30 Covid patients in the hospital and the intensive care unit remains full. But there is hope. There is a slight decline in admissions."

Vaccinations
Ferreira said a total of 211 422 vaccines have been administered in the Garden Route (as at 7 September).

"Roving vaccination teams are visiting as many communities in far-lying areas as possible, as well as farm workers, big factories and tertiary education centres."

She called on the public to be ambassadors for vaccination. "Vaccination is a personal choice and with it comes a degree of hesitancy for most, but with the correct information at hand we believe we can get most people vaccinated".

SA nearing 14 million Covid-19 vaccinations
According to the National Health Department, as at Wednesday morning 8 September, South Africa was nearing the 14 million mark in Covid vaccinations. Of these the Western Cape administered almost 2,3 million vaccines. Deputy President David Mabuza said last week that government aims to meet its target to vaccinate 40 million people by 31 December.

Provincial case numbers
The Western Cape reported 633 new Covid cases in the 24 hours up to 13:00 on Monday 6 September, according to the Western Cape Covid-19 Dashboard. An average of 70 deaths per day are being recorded in the province.

Nationally, 5 372 new cases and 282 deaths were reported in the 24 hours up to 19:00 on Tuesday 7 September.

George has 938 active cases (as at Tuesday 7 September), which is a welcome decline from two weeks ago when there were 1 535 (on 23 August).