DURBAN - In the last seven days, the number of new Covid-19 cases has declined in KwaZulu-Natal. While this might be the case, Premier Sihle Zikalala said that in terms of the overall numbers, it is clear that the province is at its peak.
“We are cognisant of the threat of a new wave of Covid-19, infections coming back to overwhelm us. We have seen it in other countries, where people thought the virus had subsided and then they started behaving recklessly, making the virus come back stronger than before,” said Zikalala.
KwaZulu-Natal has so far contributed 24 percent of the new cases nationally and continues to be the second-highest in the number of laboratory-confirmed cases countrywide with over 100 000 cases.
Of the 764 new cases recorded in the province, eThekwini District recorded 46 percent followed by UMgungundlovu (11 percent ).
The decreasing number of new cases since the beginning of August in the province is as follows:
eThekwini District has been receiving a median of 697 cases (range 331-1 545 cases) daily; from 1 3383 daily a month ago;
UMgungundlovu District has been receiving a median of 181 cases (range 97-364 cases) daily; from 690 daily a month ago;
King Cetshwayo District, the third-highest, has been reporting a median of 195 cases (range 50-295 cases); from 266 daily a month ago;
While Amajuba District has been receiving a median of 117 cases daily (range 49-207 cases) within the same period; compared to 248 daily a month ago.
Zikalala also welcomed President Cyril Ramaphosa's announcement to move the country's risk-adjusted Covid-19 strategy from Level 3 to Level 2, however, he cautioned that the government will not hesitate to re-institute the ban on alcohol, and bring back a lot of other restrictions should the Covid-19 numbers increase.
“Once again, whether or not alcohol remains available for sale is entirely in your hands. If we see more Covid-19 infections, and more accidents, shootings and stabbings, we will take away your alcohol. Our message therefore is, help us to help you,” he concluded
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