NATIONAL NEWS - Both the Tshwane metro and provincial government have urged residents to take precautionary measures during the upcoming Easter holidays as fears of a third wave in Covid-19 infections mounted.
Relaxed lockdown levels, large amounts of unvaccinated people, large gatherings and an increase in travelling were some of the concerns for this upcoming holiday period.
Tshwane health MMC Sakkie du Plooy said although the region’s Covid-19 infections were low, there were many triggers that could cause a third influx in infections.
According to the National Institute for Communicable Diseases, a wave was a “period characterised by a high number of infections – in particular, social gatherings over the long weekends, which include the Easter period, where people tend to come together in large groupings”.
“I want to reiterate the importance of adhering to social distancing, wearing masks and maintaining personal hygiene measures.
“In Tshwane, the number of active cases declined from 1 240 on 18 February, to 615 a month later on 18 March. However, there are many triggers that could cause the numbers to rise.”
As of Saturday, Tshwane had 75 new infections bringing the overall number to 108 467 cases with 104 961 recoveries and 2 945 deaths.
Gauteng premier David Makhura said during a provincial coronavirus command council briefing that increased mobility and large gatherings during Easter could be factors in a potential increase in Covid-19 infections.
“We have a lot of people from our province who travel throughout the country during the holidays. Large numbers of people will be gathering at transport modes travelling elsewhere this holiday. The concern is that when they come back some might be infected,” he said.
“Post-Easter, I am telling you we are going to have a lot more people who may be infected as a result of the effect of travel.”
Makhura said no stricter restrictions would be implemented this holiday but urged the public to practice caution.
“We are not out of the woods yet; we have had persistence of infections in the last seven days.”
Makhura said the increase was noted in Sedibeng.
“Tshwane was leading in the second wave of infections and had a lot to do with the matric ‘rage event’ where many young people got infected.
“Let’s not let our guard down. Covid-19 likes crowded, closed places that’s why we are worried.
“We have extended the contracts of 4 992 Covid-19-related posts until March next year, to help the healthcare system cope with pressure mounted by the pandemic.”
Command council chairperson Dr Mary Kawonga said they could not say when the third wave of infections would start adding that relaxed regulations amid holidays could result in notable infections.
“Whenever we relax the lockdown levels from more stringent measures to less stringent, we see people’s behaviour change,” she said.
“We see social gatherings and soon it’s the Easter holidays we will see people having family gatherings and religious gatherings. The other factor would be vaccination delays which are not only in South Africa but globally. These are worrisome.”
While some small home gatherings may be viewed as less of an infection risk, Kawonga said research showed that these also attributed to infection rates.
“We have not yet vaccinated enough people to get to a point that communities are protected from a potential third wave. Let us avoid gatherings, travel unless its really necessary and let us adhere to the safety regulations.”
Even though the province was in the post-wave stage, Kawonga said from 13 March, they noted a slight peak in the number of infections.
“The risk of community transmission looking at positive cases and deaths indicate that we are still under moderate risk.”
Council member Professor Bruce Mellado said although other districts in the province did not show a low-risk index of infections, the Tshwane region (which was a hotspot area during the second wave) had a very low risk.
Gauteng department of health acting CEO Nomsa Mmope said about 43 914 health workers out of 215 101 had been vaccinated since the beginning of the programme earlier this month.
Mmope said the province has seen high demand for vaccines but there were reports of side effects such as dizziness and headaches among those who had received the jabs.
Preparations for phase 2 which would prioritise the elderly and people with comorbidities were continuing.
