Phaahla: No Covid-19 ‘election spike’ yet
Health Minister Joe Phaahla says there has not been any spike in Covid-19 infections in the wake of the local government elections.
Phaahla briefed the media on Friday on government’s efforts in the fight against Covid-19 and the national vaccination rollout programme.
He said the number of Covid-19 infections in the country have remained stable during the past month, with daily infection rates of between 200 and 500.
This comes amid concerns that the large gatherings in the run-up to the elections could lead to a rise in infections and hasten the arrival of the fourth wave.
“We are pleased to report that indications thus far eleven days after the campaigns and voting we have not experienced super spreading after-effects,” said Phaahla.
“Thus, so far not a single province or district has shown signs of a spike in Covid-19 infections. We continue to monitor the situation with expert leadership from the NICD and the Ministerial Advisory Committee on Covid-19.”
He warned the fourth wave still looms large on the horizon.
“As has been repeated a number of times before, a resurgence of infections introducing the fourth wave is expected, as we see in other countries especially in Europe currently, e.g. Germany and the Ukraine going through their fourth wave. Our national team is working with provincial teams to prepare for the fourth wave.
“The health facilities’ readiness plan is addressing areas such as oxygen supply of which the bulk supplier has finalised contingency plans.
“Other areas such as bed capacity, equipment, PPEs and consumables are also receiving attention.”
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