Health MEC Dr Phophi Ramathuba has noted with concern the COVID-19 figures for Limpopo Province. During the past 24 hours, the province has recorded 1575 positive cases, which is the highest ever figure to be recorded in a reporting cycle in the province since the first case of COVID-19. This is a sharp increase from just from 900 over the previous cycle.
Capricorn District, still bears the highest figure in the province and has recorded 623 new cases. Polokwane Municipality remain on high alert. Vhembe District has also seen a sharp increase with 408 new cases, Thulamela Municipality being a focus point followed by Mopani District with 253 new cases. Greater Tzaneen remains on high alert in the district. Although Waterburg District was leading in the province at some point, their numbers are no longer increasing at an alarming rate. The district has recorded 189 new cases. This is also the case with Sekhukhune District which has recorded only 98 new cases. However, the department will be watching the two districts closely which are mining hubs as the mines will be resuming with activities.
The increase in numbers is quite concerning considering that during the beginning of December, the province would only record around 20 cases per 24 hour counting cycle.
These escalating figures paints a worrying picture of community members not following COVID-19 safety protocols during the recent festive season. “We are now paying the price of social gatherings, Christmas parties and luncheons, weddings and birthday parties which we have seen during the month of December. We have advised that any kind of gathering during the festives was a bad idea also considering that we have people who came from other provinces coming home to attend those gatherings,” said Ramathuba.
As figures are rising exponentially, the MEC wishes to once again make a clarion call to community members to act more responsibly during this difficult period. “As the virus attacks indiscriminately during this second wave, we need to see real behavior change from our people in order to make a real difference,”
As the numbers rise, the focus now becomes the availability of hospital beds. “Though we are seeing huge number of people coming to our hospitals due to COVID-19, our hospital are still having enough beds for patients who need admission due to the virus,” concluded MEC.
