• News
  • Sport
  • TV
  • Radio
  • Education
  • TV Licences
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
  • SOUTH AFRICA
  • POLITICS
  • BUSINESS
  • SPORT
  • AFRICA
  • WORLD
  • SCI-TECH
  • LIFESTYLE
  • FEATURES
  • OPINION
Home Sci-tech

South Africans urged to brace themselves for next few weeks of second wave of COVID-19

28 December 2020, 9:00 AM  |
SABC SABC |  @SABCNews
More than 12 000 new coronavirus cases have been reported.

More than 12 000 new coronavirus cases have been reported.

Image: Reuters

More than 12 000 new coronavirus cases have been reported.

Health Minister Zweli Mkhize has called on South Africans to brace themselves for the next few weeks of the second wave of the coronavirus.

This as South Africa has now surpassed the grim milestone of 1 million recorded cases since the start of the pandemic.

We have now breached one million cumulative #COVID19 cases in South Africa. We must adhere to non-pharmaceutical interventions to prevent the further spread of the virus. pic.twitter.com/GopO3bJZp8

— Dr Zweli Mkhize (@DrZweliMkhize) December 27, 2020

South Africa is reporting between 10 000 and 15 000 new daily cases as a new variant of the coronavirus rapidly spreads through parts of the country.

At least 26 735 people have died due to COVID-19-related illnesses. Health sector unions are appealing for the country to be placed on a higher lockdown level, saying workers cannot cope with the second wave of infections.

Loading...

Loading…

Mkhize has called on people to consider the impact of the coronavirus on health sector employees, as hospitals reach capacity in assisting those badly affected COVID-19.

Mkhize has reiterated a call for people to take health and safety protocols seriously.

“Most of the hospitals are filling up, there is a huge amount of exhaustion. People have been working through the first wave, which was a lot of pressure and a burden. There was no rest and then this came quite soon with most of the people not having to get rest. The private hospitals filled up before the public hospitals to an extent that there were a number of patients that were coming from the private sector under medical aids and being referred to public hospitals which put more pressure and in some of the small hospitals we have had to make sure there is additional oxygen.”

Importance of social distancing

The Health Minister has also reiterated the importance of social distancing and avoiding crowded gatherings amid the festive season. Mkhize says people need to take health and safety protocols very seriously.

“In a situation like this during the festive season, people are enjoying the holidays, meeting in crowded places, having parties, forgetting the masks, and not using distancing. People need to understand that if they are in a crowded place with poor ventilation you are likely to emerge with this infection. There are chances of having someone who has the infection in the crowd, be it, family members or friends they can well be infected.”

Meanwhile, the Coronavirus Command Council met yesterday to decide on whether further measures such as a tighter lockdown or stricter rules on public movement should be imposed.

The infographic below highlights the precautionary measures that must be taken to avoid contracting the virus:

Loading...

Loading…

Share article
Tags: Healthcare workersCOVID-19Zweli Mkhize CoronavirusSouth Africa
Previous Post

FACTBOX: Latest on worldwide spread of the coronavirus

Next Post

Denosa calls for stricter lockdown regulations

Related Posts

A green comet named Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF), which last passed by our planet about 50,000 years ago and is expected to be most visible to stargazers this week, is seen journeying tens of millions of miles (km) away from Earth in this telescope image taken on January 21, 2023.

Green comet to be visible from SA next week

5 February 2023, 9:50 AM
Balloons with pink ribbons representing cancer awareness.

Health MEC says cancer misinformation is a big threat in KZN

4 February 2023, 3:20 PM
The word 'cancer' highlighted through a magnifying glass

‘Early detection can significantly reduce impact and cost of cancer’

4 February 2023, 10:53 AM
[FILE IMAGE] A vial of measles, mumps and rubella vaccine and an information sheet is seen at Boston Children's Hospital in Boston.

37 measles cases confirmed in Gauteng, five in Western Cape

3 February 2023, 9:03 PM
Bottle of water

Heatwave-hit Northern Cape sees an increase in heat-related incidents

3 February 2023, 6:00 PM
Shell petrol station

Activist group accuses Shell of misleading investors on renewables

1 February 2023, 3:40 PM
Next Post
The recovery rate is at 90.5%.

Denosa calls for stricter lockdown regulations

Most Viewed

  • 24hrs
  • Week
  • Month
  • Registration at Unisa closes on Friday, but management says no need to panic
  • King of Bacardi music ‘Vusi Ma R5’ killed in Soshanguve
  • Committee wants to halt planned demolition of North West hospital
  • VIDEO: Mabuza resigns as SA Deputy President
  • Shock over proposed SA sponsorship of Tottenham Hotspur
  • Parts of the Northern Cape to be exempted from rolling blackouts
  • Registration at Unisa closes on Friday, but management says no need to panic
  • VIDEO | St Benedict College’s Matric learner gets 11 distinctions
  • Limpopo matriculant from child-headed household attains diploma pass
  • Female circumcision practice thriving in Eastern Cape
  • VIDEO: Mabuza resigns as SA Deputy President
  • EFF vows to disrupt SONA
  • Communities in Free State continue to struggle to obtain basic services amid power cuts
  • Criminal syndicate within ANC benefited from defunct VBS Bank: Mapaila
  • Qualified leaders needed for EFF to grow, says Malema

LATEST

File Image: Rescue workers and vehicles stand by at the scene of the Lily mine collapse near Barberton in Mpumalanga on 05 February 2016.
  • South Africa

Families of Lily Mine victims still searching for answers seven years on


A green comet named Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF), which last passed by our planet about 50,000 years ago and is expected to be most visible to stargazers this week, is seen journeying tens of millions of miles (km) away from Earth in this telescope image taken on January 21, 2023.
  • Sci-tech

Green comet to be visible from SA next week


File Image: Oshwin Andries during training
  • Sport

Budding Stellenbosch FC star reportedly stabbed to death


File Image: A black rhino is seen after it was dehorned in an effort to deter the poaching of one of the world's endangered species, at a farm outside Klerksdorp, in the North West on February 24, 2016.
  • South Africa

Manhunt under way for suspected rhino poachers in Eastern Cape


A balloon flies in the sky over Billings, Montana, U.S. February 1, 2023 in this picture obtained from social media.
  • World

Suspected Chinese spy balloon shot down by US military


Bullet casings and broken glass
  • South Africa

Teen killed, toddler wounded in Cape Flats drive-by shooting


Weather

  • About the SABC
  • Contact Us
  • Jobs
  • Advertise
  • Disclaimer
  • Site Map

SABC © 2023

No Result
View All Result
  • SOUTH AFRICA
  • POLITICS
  • BUSINESS
  • SPORT
  • AFRICA
  • WORLD
  • SCI-TECH
  • LIFESTYLE
  • FEATURES
  • OPINION

© 2022

Previous FACTBOX: Latest on worldwide spread of the coronavirus
Next Denosa calls for stricter lockdown regulations