KNSYNA | PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - The number of Covid-19 cases in Knysna and Bitou continues to climb drastically as we edge closer to the upcoming festive season.

After being declared a hotspot last week, new cases in the Garden Route are still rising sharply, with both Knysna and Bitou sub-districts recording higher numbers than anything Knysna-Plett Herald (KPH) has on record for the areas.

As of today, 25 November, Knysna has a total of 2 285 cases, with 1 695 recoveries, 56 deaths, and 534 active cases. 

This is the second-highest number of active cases in the Garden Route, and the highest for Knysna thus far - the closest being 338 active cases as recorded on 24 July. The recovery rate of 74,18% is the lowest since 7 August (73,28%), and 364 new cases in the past seven days make it the most week-on-week new cases that KPH has on record.

The situation looks equally bleak for Bitou, with its total of 1 139 cases. Of these, 782 have recovered, 36 people have died, and the recorded 321 active cases make it the fourth-highest number of active cases in the Garden Route. 

This is once again the highest number KPH has on record for Bitou, with the closest being 123 active cases on 24 July. Bitou currently has a recovery rate of 68,66% - its lowest since 24 July (56,25%) - and 218 new cases this past week, again, the most week-on-week new cases KPH has on record.

See the graphs below for a look at the history of the virus in Knysna and Bitou:

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