Premier Alan Winde confirms total of 305 548 cases of Coronavirus COVID-19 in Western Cape

As at 1pm on 17 June 2021, the Western Cape had 9826 active COVID-19 infections, with a total number of 305 548 COVID-19 cases to date and 283 711 recoveries. 

Total number of COVID-19 cases to date

305 548

Total recoveries

283 711

Total deaths

12 011

Total active cases (currently infected patients)

9826

Tests conducted

1 725 386

Hospitalisations

1175, of which 277 are in high care or ICU

By 5pm on 15 June 2021, the Western Cape Government had administered:

Phase

Vaccinated

Phase 1a and b (healthcare workers)

91 732 

Phase 2 (over 60s)

213 356 

TOTAL

305 088 (note: this figure is more than the dashboard figure due to a short lag time in updating vaccinations on the dashboard)

The Western Cape has recorded 30 additional deaths since our last daily update on Tuesday, 15 June, bringing the total number of COVID-19 related deaths in the province to 12 011. This number is inclusive of deaths which were captured afterwards and added to the next reporting period. Due to the public holiday, we are likely to experience further brief delays in death totals, but we will be able to add to the reporting data soon. We send our condolences to the loved ones of those who have passed.

Additional data is available on the Western Cape COVID-19 data dashboard which also features active cases per sub-district, active cases per 100 000 and 7-day moving averages. To view the Dashboard, visit:  https://coronavirus.westerncape.gov.za/covid-19-dashboard  

You can also view the Western Cape Government’s vaccine registration dashboard by visiting: https://coronavirus.westerncape.gov.za/vaccine-dashboar

Premier Winde urges residents to be vigilant amid acceleration of COVID-19 infections

During my weekly digital press conference today, I highlighted that COVID-19 infections are accelerating in the Western Cape and that we urgently need to adhere to the lifesaving behaviours that we have learnt over the past year to slow the spread of COVID-19 and to save lives.

Our data shows us the following:

  • We have over 1000 confirmed COVID-19 admissions across our public and private hospitals.
  • The ‘R’ or reproductive number stands at approximately 1.4 which means that the number of infections is accelerating rapidly.
  • We are continuing to see a 20% week-on-week increase in new cases, even off high-base numbers.
  • The proportion of COVID-19 tests which are positive has also increased to an average of 16.2% now and was 20.6% on Monday, 14 June.
  • We are now also starting to see an increase in COVID-19 related deaths, up to 13 people per day, on average.

It is very important that we all protect ourselves and our loved ones during this period of great risk. You can do this by:

  • Wearing a clean cloth mask
  • Avoiding non-essential gatherings.
  • Avoiding the 3Cs of crowded places, confined spaces and close contact.
  • Ensuring good ventilation when meeting, and keeping any essential gatherings small, short and outside.
  • Washing your hands regularly with soap and water, or by sanitizing.
  • Staying home when sick and organizing a test if you have symptoms.
  • Protecting those at highest risk of severe COVID-19 illness and death.

Health platform shows an average of 766 new diagnoses each day in the province

During my weekly digital press conference today, I explained that case numbers are increasing rapidly now, and we are currently seeing an average of 766 new diagnoses of COVID-19 infection each day in the province.

In the Cape Metro:

  • Overall, there is a 63% week on week increase in cases in the Metro.
  • All the sub-districts are seeing a marked increase in cases. Most cases diagnosed are in the private sector, but the number of public sector cases is also increasing especially in Mitchells Plain, Klipfontein, Tygerberg and Khayelitsha although the number of cases in Khayelitsha is small.

In the Rural Districts:

  • The number of new cases in rural communities is also markedly increasing, with all sub-districts showing increasing case numbers.
  • Cape Winelands has mostly private cases, while the rest of the rural communities has a mix of both public and private.

Insofar as our health platform is concerned, there are:

  • Currently 1175 COVID-19 patients in our acute hospitals (483 in public hospitals & 692 in private hospitals). This excludes persons under investigation and cases in specialised hospital settings.
  • The Metro hospitals have an average occupancy rate of 91%; George drainage area hospitals at 64%; Paarl drainage area hospitals at 79% and Worcester drainage area hospitals at 74%.
  • COVID-19 and persons under investigation cases currently make up 7% of all available acute general hospital capacity in both Metro and Rural Regional Hospital drainage areas.
  • COVID-19 inter-mediate care: the Brackengate Hospital of Hope currently has 37 patients (3 514 cumulative patients), Freesia and Ward 99 has 0 patients, Mitchell Plain Hospital of Hope has 0 patients and Sonstraal currently has 10 patients. 
  • The Metro mass fatality centre has capacity for 240 bodies; currently 2 decedents (cumulative total of 1445 bodies) admitted. The overall capacity has been successfully managed across the province.

Western Cape Government provides home vaccinations to bedridden residents

At the beginning of the mass vaccination programme, the Western Cape Government committed itself to ensuring a vaccine rollout that would uphold the dignity of those most vulnerable and frail.

We have previously done so by vaccinating elderly persons in old age homes. We have now taken this commitment one step further and are vaccinating bedridden residents in their homes.

Mrs Freda Carol Jessman, aged 87, became one of the first recipients to receive her COVID-19 vaccine as part of the Provincial Department of Health’s home vaccination roll-out to eligible recipients in the Cape Metro. 

Since the beginning of our mass vaccination programme, many have expressed their concern for people over 60 who are vulnerable and have significant mobility challenges, which prevents them from attending a vaccine site.

Mrs Jessman explained that we not scared of the COVID-19 vaccine: “Having had to visit the hospital on many occasions, I have become so used to having my blood drawn. I’m not scared of needles or the vaccine.” 

Mrs Jessman registered for her vaccination on the EVDS system and after receiving her second SMS which directed her to a vaccine site out of her area, made the necessary enquiries with the Provincial Contact Centre. She was asked for her details which were captured on a list for residents to be vaccinated at home.

“It was so quick and easy. You have nothing to be concerned about, the team is professional and efficient. I feel fine!  I know that so many people are spreading false information, I, however, felt I needed to have my vaccine as I did not want to suffer severely should I contract the virus. Too many people have died already.”

The Provincial Department of Health’s ability to roll out home vaccinations is dependent on the number of vaccines received. I want to reassure residents that we are working around the clock to ensure that each person receives a vaccine.

To contact the Provincial Contact Centre, please call 0860 142 142.

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