CAPE TOWN- Health minister Zweli Mkhize has expressed concern over a possible Covid-19 resurgence after epidemiological reports showed there has been an increase of 9.1% in new cases in the country over the past week and a 42% increase of new infections in the Western Cape.
In a statement released on Wednesday, Mkhize said he could not help but to be concerned from the reports and that it would be irresponsible of government to ignore “small flames” that are redeveloping in some parts of the country.
"We are also seeing concerning increases in some of the provinces. To illustrate this, in the last 7 days, there was a marked increase in the number of new cases in the Western Cape. The Province recorded a 42% increase in new infections. According to our resurgence plan, we define this significant spike in new cases in the Western Cape as a resurgence," he said.
According to the provincial dashboard as of Wednesday, the Western Cape had recorded 114 121 Covid-19 cases and 4 301 deaths.
"The Western Cape Provincial Health Department has identified specific clusters that are responsible for the increase in cases, and has advised that each of these clusters has been investigated and a detailed outbreak response is being mounted. We have noted that the single biggest cluster outbreak has been identified to be in the Southern Sub-district in the Cape Metro, and this has been associated with a super-spreader event in a BAR," he said.
Over the weekend Mkhize and his wife, May, tested positive for Covid-19 and have been recovering in quarantine.
"I want to assure you that we are improving each day. I remain in quarantine at home, I am resting and recuperating with only a cough remaining from my previous symptoms. I’m also very pleased that my wife has been discharged from hospital today and will now be joining me for quarantine at home," he said.
https://twitter.com/DrZweliMkhize/status/1318898569009680388
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