WHO, SA health experts probe Eastern Cape’s high Covid-19 mortality rate

The province’s Health MEC Nomakhosazana Meth made the announcement during a media briefing on Wednesday.

The Eastern Cape Province has recorded an increase in Covid-19 cases over the past 7 days.

A total of 4,886 new cases were recorded in the first week of August.

This is 13% higher than the cases recorded in the previous week.

Meth said the increase in mortality rate was concerning.

“The province is very concerned with the trend of high mortality rate among those infected with Covid-19 particularly we are concerned about high mortality rate in the rural districts such as Chris Hani, Joe Gqabi and Sarah Baartman.

“A team of experts from WHO and National Department of Health are conducting an analysis of the high mortality rate to determine contributing factors and make recommendations on reversing these trends.

“The department would like to encourage those at high risk of developing severe diseases that is those with existing comorbidities like high blood pressure, diabetes and other conditions to seek healthcare early, we are ready to provide care to those who are more at risk.”

Meth says the massive outbreak in several parts of the province is being driven by schools.

“We have observed a new threat to our efforts to contain the spread of Covid-19. This has come in the form of outbreaks in schools that have been reported in Amathole, OR Tambo, Chris Hani etc and At the last count there were 89 schools that have learners who contracted Covid-19 in the past seven days.”

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