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

Western Cape prepared for third-wave peak, says Western Cape Premier Alan Winde

Last update: Friday, 23 July

COVID-19 HIGHLIGHTS

• WC prepared for third-wave peak, says premier Alan Winde
  
  
• Taxi unrest slowed down vaccine rollout 
  
  
• Athlone Stadium mass vaccine centre to open early August
  
  
• 35+ age group setting pace for vaccine registration

 

The taxi violence has affected some of the vaccination sites, Western Cape health MEC, Dr Nomafrench Mbombo said in a virtual briefing on Thursday, 22 July. However, several public sites will open on Saturday, 24 July, to help make up numbers, Dr Cloete added in the same virtual briefing. Plus, the Western Cape is beginning to see a flattening of the third wave's curve. Western Cape Premier Alan Winde further confirmed that we have ample oxygen supply and "enough bed capacity to respond to an increase in hospitalisations" in a press release on Thursday, 22 July. 

 

 

VACCINATION SITES OPEN ON SATURDAY 

Vaccination sites in the Cape Metro and in the rural areas will stay open tomorrow, 24 July. More weekend sites will be considered depending on the vaccine supply.

 

OUR PLANNING IS PAYING OFF, SAYS WINDE  

“The flattening of the curve at this point means that the Western Cape is unlikely to peak at the same level as the second wave,” Winde said. He added that thanks to our advanced planning we have enough beds, oxygen and staff to care for patients during this time. 

 

1/2 We have reached a total of 3010 admissions in both private & public hospitals. This demonstrate the extreme pressure the pandemic continues to place on our health platform & why it remains important to stay safe & keep on flattening the curve ➡️ https://t.co/Rzq7WKGHYt pic.twitter.com/sJ9kZ468ib

— Premier Alan Winde (@alanwinde) July 22, 2021

While the total number of public and private hospital admissions are high at 3 010 admissions, the health department confirmed that it has enough beds to admit everyone. Currently, the metro area has a total of 5 065 beds, George has 918 beds, Paarl has 988 beds and Worcester has 769 beds. 

 

VACCINATION IS GOING WELL

Not only have we improved, and continue to improve, our vaccine programme, we have also exceeded our vaccine targets, Winde said. Week 9 of the vaccine rollout saw a total of 151 772 vaccines administered against a target of 150 000. Just in the first 3 days of this week, Winde confirmed we had administered an average of 30 000 vaccines per day. 

The flattening of the curve at this point means that the Western Cape is unlikely to peak at the same level as the second wave. It also means that our advanced planning for the third wave is paying off. Statement ➡️ https://t.co/Rzq7WKp76V pic.twitter.com/l2ZDmqe951

— Premier Alan Winde (@alanwinde) July 22, 2021

 

35+ HAVE SET THE VACCINATION PACE 

Thursday, 22 July, the Western Cape reached a vaccination milestone of registering a total of 1 064 481 people in the province. Winde added that the 35 - 49 age group are rapidly registering since EVDS opened on 15 July. If you are 35+ here’s how you can register for the vaccine.

The WC Government’s vaccine cascade, which helps to monitor the rollout of the mass vaccination programme in the Western Cape, shows us that the 35 – 49 age cohort are rapidly registering for their vaccines since the opening of the EVDS on 15 July ➡️ https://t.co/Rzq7WKp76V pic.twitter.com/LdDbVcZM9Z

— Premier Alan Winde (@alanwinde) July 22, 2021

 

COVID-19 UPDATE IN WESTERN CAPE: THE SITUATION NOW

The Western Cape had administered a total of 675 410 vaccines as of 20 July. Plus, the Western Cape recorded 31 330 active cases of Covid-19 (currently infected patients), with a total of 367 827 confirmed cases, according to the Western Cape government. 

Below are the Western Cape stats, according to the WC government’s dashboard as of 23 July:

• 698 881 total vaccines administered 

• 327 569 recorded recoveries 

• 14 233 deaths
  
  

Good news: By early August you can register at Cape Town’s first mass drive-through and walk-through vaccination site at Athlone Stadium. The City of Cape Town aims for the walk-through service to be operational by early August and the drive-through section to open two weeks later. 

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT ???? The City of CT and the WC Gov are proud to announce the Athlone Stadium as the first drive-through and walk-through mass vaccination site in the WC ???? Read the joint statement by the @CityofCT and @WesternCapeGov ▶️ https://t.co/3MS86hVdtf pic.twitter.com/O159bmWLon

— Premier Alan Winde (@alanwinde) July 12, 2021

Both the drive-through and walk-through services will have four vaccination stations with five lanes for the drive-ins and forty stations for the walk-ins. This partnership between the City of Cape Town and the Western Cape Government will also boost access to vaccines for the Cape Flats, Winde stated in the press release.

COVID-19 IN SOUTH AFRICA: THE SITUATION NOW

As of 22 July the National Department of Health has administered a total of 6 085 108 vaccines, according to the Department of Health. So far, the national total of reported cases stands at 2 342 330 cases. Here are the official figures:

• 2 109 820 recorded recoveries, with a 90,1% recovery rate

• 14 425 215 tests have been conducted

• 68 625 total deaths

 

MEDIA STATEMENT 14 July 2021

South Africa Pharmacy Council distraught at the looting of pharmacies, destruction of health care services and livelihoods pic.twitter.com/dTAWcrlFUE

— South African Pharmacy Council (@OfficialSAPC) July 14, 2021

THESE ARE THE BASICS TO STAYING SAFE

Here’s how we can stay safe according to the official coronavirus website:

• 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 mouth or nose when you cough or sneeze with a flexed elbow or tissue, then throw the tissue 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 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 the 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 currently under level 4 lockdown. 

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

 

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