Mkhize: Covid-19 storm has arrived
Health Minister Zweli Mkhize says the Covid-19 storm that government has been warning South Africans about has now arrived.
The minister gave an update on the government’s efforts to curb the Covid-19 pandemic in the National Assembly on Wednesday afternoon.
Mkhize called on South Africans to put on a united front in the fight against Covid-19.
"We dare not be divided. As government, we have said, we cannot fight this Covid-19 enemy alone. We need all political parties, social partners and every citizen to come on board.
"As we continue this battle, we look beyond our differences and ensure that wherever we are, we and those around us, change our behaviour and observe all measures announced to contain the spread of this virus," said Mkhize.
The minister said at this point, it is no longer a matter of announcing the amount of confirmed cases.
"We are now at a point where it’s our fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, close friend and comrades that is infected. As a country and the world at large, we are now in this reality where we must live with knowing that some of us cannot even bury our loved ones because of restrictions or even because we ourselves have been exposed.”
Mkhize also revealed that healthcare workers continue to be hard hit by the virus.
The minister said 4 821 health care workers, both in the public and private sector, have been infected with Covid-19.
The Western Cape Province accounts for the 68% of infected workers with 3 285 infections.
The minister said the highest number of infections are among nurses with 2 473 infections, followed by other health professionals, including community health workers, at 1 971.
A total of 377 doctors have been infected.