DEVELOPING: Coronavirus COVID-19 in Cape Town. Updates + practical tips

Western Cape has recorded 285 640 recoveries + administered 65 666 vaccines

Last update: 5 May 2021

COVID-19 HIGHLIGHTS

• India’s dominant variant not in South Africa

• South Africa has a recovery rate of 95%

• The Western Cape has recorded 285 640 recoveries as of 6 May

Find out more encouraging updates and lockdown news.

COVID-19 UPDATE IN WESTERN CAPE: THE SITUATION NOW

The Western Cape has administered a total of 65 666 vaccines as of 5pm on 5 May. At 1pm on 6 May, the Western Cape recorded 1 996 active cases of Covid-19 (currently infected Covid-19 patients), with a total of 287 820 confirmed cases, according to the Western Cape government.

Below are the Western Cape stats, according to the WC government’s dashboard:

• 65 666 total vaccines administered

• 1 546 656 tests have been conducted

• 285 640 recorded recoveries

• 11 637 deaths

Good news for the Western Cape: As of now, the dominant variant in India, variant B.1.617, has not been found in South Africa, Western Cape Premier Alan Winde said in his weekly Digicon on 6 May. 

Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize also said in a media statement on 6 May that “we have no need to panic about the variant B.1.617 because, as with any variant of the coronavirus, the treatment is the same and the way we prevent spread is the same.”

 

#ICYMI ????Yesterday we held our weekly digital press conference. If you weren't able to tune in, click here ➡https://t.co/KQsJKhOukS pic.twitter.com/pGJOWOvMPB

— Premier Alan Winde (@alanwinde) May 7, 2021

COVID-19 IN SOUTH AFRICA: THE SITUATION NOW

As of 6 May the National Department of Health has administered a total of 366 101 vaccines. So far, the national total of reported cases stands at 1 590 370 cases. Here are the official figures:

• 1 511 905 recorded recoveries, which is a recovery rate of 95%
  
  

• 10 805 804 tests have been conducted

• 54 620 total deaths
  
  

LOCKDOWN LEVEL 1 ALERT: RESTRICTIONS

• The sale of alcohol may be sold according to normal license provisions, but no alcohol may be sold during curfew.
  
  
• On-site consumption of alcohol from shebeens, restaurants and bars is allowed until 11pm. No alcohol may be sold during curfew.
  
  
• Curfew hours are from 12pm until 4am.
  
  
• Public spaces such as beaches, parks and dams will stay open.
  
  
• Funeral services remain restricted to a maximum of 100 people and must stay within a two-hour limit per service.
  
  
• Religious, social, political and cultural gatherings are permitted, subject to health protocols.
  
  
• Gatherings may not exceed 100 people for indoor venues and 250 for outdoor venues. If the venue is too small to accommodate more than 50 people, the venue may not exceed more than 50% of its capacity.
  
  
• Night vigils or other gatherings happening before or after funerals are not permitted.
  
  
• Night clubs will remain closed.
  
  
• Wearing a mask is compulsory when in public spaces. Not wearing a mask in public could get you a fine or in jail.
  
  

HOW THE CORONAVIRUS HAS AFFECTED TRAVEL AND TRANSPORT

International travel is allowed in alert level 1, but only the five airports will be open: OR Tambo, Cape Town, King Shaka, Kruger Mpumalanga and Lanseria airport. “The 33 land border posts that have been closed throughout this period will remain closed, while the other 20 will remain open,” Ramaphosa stated on 28 February regarding the new travel restrictions in alert level one.

PRACTICAL TIPS ON HOW TO SAFELY ENJOY CAPE TOWN’S SUMMER

We’re not completely in the clear just yet. We can still do our bit to slow the spread of infection while safely enjoying Cape Town’s summer sun. Anything outdoors - and socially distanced - is good to go and we have options for you to browse.

OPEN HIKING TRAILS, OUTDOOR SWIMS, BEACH VISITS + PICNIC LUNCHES:

Take yourself out for a day up to Elephant’s Eye Cave, or stay closer to home and lounge around your nearest public swimming pool. You could also take the kids and the pooch for a run around Cape Town’s biggest treehouse in Paradise Park or hike in the great outdoors. Outdoor activities like hiking on Table Mountain National Park, a picnic lunch at Harold Porter garden, taking a walk around Paradise Park and picnics at Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens are open for visitors. 

OUTDOOR RESTAURANTS: 

Little Stream Farmhouse Deli is perfect for a picnic lunch with a few hidden gems you can discover on your visit there. Barstaurant in False Bay has an outdoor jungle gym that is great for parents who want to relax and keep an eye on the little ones. You could also pop-into Peter Tempelhoff’s new restaurant, Beyond – the glass windows all around the space fully open up to create a relaxed indoor-outdoor experience. But, have a good look around. Cape Town is full of good socially-distanced dining experiences.  

THESE ARE THE BASICS TO STAYING SAFE

South Africa’s official coronavirus website https://sacoronavirus.co.za/ advises us to do the following to stay safe:

• Wash your hands regularly with soap or an alcohol-based hand sanitiser. It’s still one of the most effective ways to keep the virus at bay.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

• Cover your cough or sneeze with a flexed elbow or tissue, then throw it in the bin.

• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
  
  

WATCH: NEW CORONAVIRUS MYTHS GET BUSTED BY EPIDEMIOLOGISTS

Science Insider brought back epidemiologists Syra Madad and Stephen Morse six months later to debunk 14 NEW myths about the coronavirus. Some of these myths include washing vegetables with bleach, young kids having immunity, warm weather slowing down the virus and more. Brush up on your Covid-19 knowledge even more by getting familiar with the answers to frequently asked questions about coronavirus.

 


HOW SOUTH AFRICA EASES IN AND OUT OF LOCKDOWN 

There is a risk-adjusted lockdown strategy in place. There are 5 levels, which will work similarly to loadshedding. These levels are implemented based on the number of new infections and healthcare system readiness. We are currrently under level 3 lockdown. 

For the latest regulation changes that should come with a new level, read our lockdown news update. 

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Need wine delivered? Check out these places that deliver during lockdown.
What we can expect from SONA 2021.
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CapeNature has reopened access to beaches, dams, rivers, lakes, public parks and swimming pools (subject to health protocols),