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

Western Cape has a total of 8 790 vaccinations so far + 259 823 recorded recoveries

Last update: 1 March 2021

Good news alert: South Africa moved from alert Level 3 to alert Level 1 as of 28 February. Plus, the country’s “vaccination campaign has gone extremely well,” says President Cyril Ramaphosa, with over 67 000 healthcare workers already vaccinated. We will further receive more than 80 000 vaccine doses from Johnson & Johnson, with another 11 million doses still to come. This will help facilitate phase two of the vaccination programme, which is expected to start in late April or early May in alert level 1.

COVID-19 UPDATE IN WESTERN CAPE: THE SITUATION NOW

The Western Cape has administered a total of 8 790 vaccines as of 5pm 25 February. At 1pm 26 February, the Western Cape recorded 3 987 active cases of COVID-19 (currently infected Covid-19 patients), with a total of 274 942 confirmed cases, according to the Western Cape government.

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

• 8 790 total vaccines administered

• 1 321 002 tests have been conducted

• 274 942 total of confirmed cases  

• 259 823 recorded recoveries

• 11 132 deaths
  
  

COVID-19 IN SOUTH AFRICA: THE SITUATION NOW

As of 28 February the National Department of Health has administered a total of 70 527 vaccines to healthcare workers. So far, the national total of reported cases stands at 1 513 393 cases. This means there have been 1 168 new cases since Dr Zweli Mkhize’s report on 28 February. Here are the official figures:

• 1 513 393 total positive cases

• 1 430 259 recorded recoveries, which is a recovery rate of 94,5%

• 49 993 total deaths
  
  

LOCKDOWN LEVEL ONE: RESTRICTIONS

As of midnight 28 February, the country eases into alert level 1 with a number of new restrictions:

• 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.
  
  
• Curfew hours are now from 12pm until 4am.
  
  
• Night clubs will remain closed.
  
  
• The sale of alcohol may be sold according to normal license provisions, but no alcohol may be sold during curfew.
  
  
• Wearing a mask is still 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. Despite the move and it’s new restrictions, President Cyril Ramaphosa urges us all to act cautiously. 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:

CapeNature has reopened access to beaches, dams, rivers, lakes, public parks and swimming pools are back on the cards (subject to health protocols), CapeNature announced on 4 February. Take yourself out for a day up the green paths and into the crystal clear dams at Krom River, 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: 

Enjoying an outdoor socially-distanced lunch in Cape Town is a lot easier than you think. Little Stream Farmhouse Deli is perfect for a picnic lunch with a few hidden gems you can discover on your visit there. If you have kids with boundless energy, 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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CapeNature has reopened access to beaches, dams, rivers, lakes, public parks and swimming pools (subject to health protocols),