eThekwini still identified as COVID-19 hotspot
As we prepare for level three of a five-tier lockdown next month – the President says eThekwini's been identified as one of the country's coronavirus hotspots.
"A hotspot is defined as an area that has more than five infected people per every 100,000 people or where new infections are increasing at a fast pace. The following metros have been identified as coronavirus hotspots: Tshwane, Johannesburg, Ekurhuleni, eThekwini, Nelson Mandela Bay, Buffalo City and Cape Town."
President Cyril Ramaphosa says these areas require targeted interventions.
"We will assign a full-time team of experienced personnel to each hotspot. This team will include epidemiologists, family practitioners, nurses, community health workers, public health experts and emergency medical services, to be supported by Cuban experts.
"We will link each hotspot to testing services, isolation facilities, quarantine facilities, treatment, hospital beds and contact tracing.
"Should it be necessary, any part of the country could be returned to alert levels 4 or 5 if the spread of infection is not contained despite our interventions and there is a risk of our health facilities being overwhelmed."
READ: Lockdown level 3 looms, alcohol back on sale
All contacts will be traced and isolated to stem the spread of COVID-19.
Ramaphosa addressed the nation on Sunday night after meetings with Cabinet members and the National Coronavirus Command Council.
He says they're particularly worried about Cape Town and KZN's Ilembe District.
The COVID-19 death toll's risen to 429 – with 11 483 active cases in the country. South Africa has a recovery rate of 49% - it's higher than the global recovery rate of 42%
From next Monday, there won't be a curfew.
"People will also be able to leave their homes to buy goods or obtain services, including medical care. People will also be able to exercise at any time during the day, provided this is not done in groups."
There'll still be a ban on gatherings.
"All gatherings will remain prohibited, except for funerals with no more than 50 people or meetings in the workplace for work purposes.
"Any place open to the public where cultural, sporting, entertainment, recreational, exhibitional, organisational or similar activities may take place will remain closed.
Alcohol sales resume but not cigarettes.
