By Tshepo Mabuela
In his recent speech on progress in the national effort to contain the COVID19 pandemic, President Cyril Ramaphosa raised concerns about the worsening rate of new infections around the world.
According to Ramaphosa the world has just recorded its highest number of weekly new cases since the start of the pandemic and the highest number of weekly deaths. More than 51 million people have been infected globally, and at least 1.2 million people have died.
At the height of the pandemic, South Africa recorded around 12,000 new infections a day, the number of new infections is relatively stable at below 2,000 a day.
To date, South Africa has recorded 742,394 coronavirus cases. The recovery rate stands at 92%. The country has so far recorded 20,011 deaths.
“The areas where we are experiencing higher than average rates of new infections include Lejweleputswa and Mangaung in the Free State, Frances Baard and Pixley ka Seme in the Northern Cape, and the Garden Route and Cape Town metro in the Western Cape,” noted Ramaphosa.
Ramaphosa said the state is compelled under the Disaster Management Act to extend the National State of Disaster by another month to 15 December.
“The second area of concern that we need to pay attention to is the upcoming festive season, during which many South Africans travel to other parts of the country and where people tend to gather socially. I have been seeing images of indoor venues crowded with people who are not wearing masks and with no evidence of social distancing,” added the President.
The President called on citizens to join the 700,000 South Africans who have downloaded the Covid Alert SA mobile app. The Covid Alert app can notify you if you have been exposed to the virus, whether it is in a taxi, a shopping mall or a social gathering and it does so without sharing your location or any personal information.
Cabinet has decided that from the 25 to 29 November, the nation should embark on a five days mourning period for victims of COVID-19.
“We will let the national flag fly at half-mast throughout the country from 6am to 6pm from Wednesday 25 November to Sunday 29 November. We call upon all South Africans to wear a black armband or other signs of mourning to signify our respect for those who have departed,” indicated Ramaphosa.
South Africa is collaborating with several multinational pharmaceutical companies to obtain a safe and effective vaccine for our people.
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