KwaZulu-Natal Premier, Sihle Zikalala has raised concern about the increase in the number of people hospitalised due to rising COVID-19 infections.
South Africa continues to record rising numbers of Coronavirus infections with 16 366 new infections reported over the last 24 hours.
KwaZulu-Natal has over 6 000 active cases. Health officials have warned that the new Omicron variant is highly transmissible.
The KwaZulu-Natal government says that by Saturday, the province recorded over a 1 000 new COVID-19 infections. The eThekwini district remains the epicentre in the province, with the highest number of new infections.
Zikalala says the new Omicron variant is driving the fourth wave.
“Clearly a new wave of infection is fast rising and the Omicron variant is the drive behind this new wave of infection. Three weeks ago, the province had a positivity rate of 0.7% but as of today, the positivity rate has jumped to 12,7 %. The province started receiving more than 100 cases per day from the 26th of November while the average number of cases received daily rose from 47 to 362 cases per day.”
Zikalala was providing an update on the latest COVID-19 developments in the province on Sunday:
‘Slow uptake of vaccinations’
There are concerns over the slow uptake of vaccinations. He says most people who need to be hospitalised are not vaccinated.
“The rate of hospitalisation has increased, including patients, who require ICU and ventilation. We can confirm that the vast majority of those patients who require treatment in ICU and ventilation have not been vaccinated. The three leading comorbidities are still hypertension, diabetes and tuberculosis.”
The province has developed a targeted plan to deal with rising COVID-19 infections. Zikalala says all events especially those during the festive season must have a COVID-19 plan in place.
“The plan seeks to also entail a festive season plan all events have been targeted and this includes planned events and cultural events. All planned events are required to have a Covid 19 plan including the sea cruises. The taxi industry and shopping malls are also targeted with intentions that include health education vaccinations and compliance monitoring.”
Zikalala also urged people to vaccinate. He reminded those who have so far received the first dose of the Pfizer vaccine to remember to take their second dose for maximum protection.
KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sihle Zikalala briefs the media on Sunday:
