Premier Winde registers to get his vaccine & calls on 50+ to register now
Today, I registered for my COVID-19 vaccine and I urge all Western Cape residents who are over 50 to do the same.
The COVID-19 vaccines are safe, provide excellent protection against serious COVID-19 related illness and death and will save many lives. It remains the most powerful weapon we have in our fight back against the virus.
To register for the vaccine, you can visit the EVDS portal, which can be accessed via www.westerncape.gov.za. You can also WhatsApp the word ‘REGISTER’ to 0600 123456, or dial *134*832# for free on any South African network.
COVID-19 has taken so much from us all, and it’s time that we finally beat this pandemic so that we can see the people we love, do the things we love, and support our families through our work. The time has come, so #LetsDoThis Western Cape!
The Western Cape Government reiterates calls for UIF TERS support for businesses impacted by Level 4 Restrictions
During today’s digital press conference, I expressed my concern that many businesses in the Western Cape, particularly small businesses, are buckling under the pressure created by the latest level 4 restrictions.
The Western Cape Government reiterates its call to the Minister of Employment and Labour, Thulas Nxesi, to reopen UIF TERS support to struggling businesses and their employees during this difficult time.
We must make sure we get the balance right in saving both lives and livelihoods, because job losses now will also cost lives in the future.
The Western Cape’s Health Platform shows an acceleration in COVID-19 cases, driven by Delta variant
The Western Cape’s health platform shows us that:
- We are in a steep third wave which is being driven by the Delta variant.
- The reproductive number is currently 1.25 which shows us that infections are increasing.
- Case numbers are increasing rapidly now, and we are currently seeing an average of 1430 new diagnoses each day.
- The proportion of COVID-19 tests positive has also increased markedly to an average of 25%.
- Admissions to hospitals are increasing with an average of 135 new admissions per day.
- Deaths have also increased now, with around 25 deaths each day.
The Western Cape Government to adjust our response given emergence of the Delta variant, so that we remain as prepared as possible during third wave
Given the projection that the Delta variant will begin to dominate nationwide, we are revising our plans to ensure we remain fully prepared for a greater number of hospitalisations.
According to some initial analysis done by our public health experts, we anticipate that the third wave could be higher than the second wave in the Western Cape. This will be constantly reassessed to ensure accuracy and proper planning.
Because of the Western Cape Department of Health’s early planning for the third wave, our investment in the storage of oxygen and in human resources, and because we ensured intermediate care infrastructure was added to existing facilities during the second wave, we remain in a strong position to respond.
Symptom profile for Delta variant could differ from other variants, and so we urge anyone feeling sick to stay home
The Delta variant has been identified in the Metro, Garden Route and Overberg. We are also sequencing data for other districts to identify where else it may be present.
Evidence indicates that the symptom profile of the Delta variant could differ from other variants. The most prominent symptoms that we are seeing are cold-like symptoms such as headache, sore throat, runny nose, sneezing, fever and anosmia.
This is concerning as those infected may initially confuse their symptoms with the common cold and may not take the necessary precautions to isolate. We therefore urge any person feeling sick to please stay home. Assume you might have COVID-19 and take every precaution to not spread it further by isolating.
At this stage, we know that the Delta variant:
- Is highly transmissible, more so than other variants;
- There is a possible risk of reinfection, but it is not yet clear to what extent;
- There is no indication that the Delta variant results in more severe disease at this time; and
- There is no evidence that vaccines are ineffective against the Delta variant. The current vaccines available in the country offers great protection against severe illness.
It remains critical that every eligible person gets vaccinated when it is their turn, so that they protect themselves from severe COVID-19 illness.
The Western Cape continues to have enough bed capacity for COVID-19 treatment
We are also continuing to closely monitor the usage of beds across our province, through a centrally coordinated and professional operation, known as the Bed Bureau Management System.
In the Western Cape, the total general bed use rate is at 82%, the total COVID-19 bed use rate is at 30%, and the total designated COVID-19 critical care bed use rate is at 76%.
Insofar as our drainage areas are concerned:
- The Metro has 5041 beds, of which the general bed use rate is 89%, the COVID-19 bed use rate is 28%;
- The George drainage area has 918 beds, of which the general bed use rate is 64%, the COVID-19 bed use rate is 25%;
- The Paarl drainage area has 987 beds, of which the general bed use rate is 73%; the COVID-19 bed use rate is 49%; and
- The Worcester drainage area has 769 beds, of which the general bed use rate is 65%, the COVID-19 bed use rate is 25%.
We are ready to bring online Freesia Ward and Ward 99, and Mitchell Plain Hospital of Hope beds should the need for additional services arise. This capacity was added during second wave and is on standby.
Western Cape has sufficient oxygen supply for private & public hospitals
The Provincial Department of Health will continue to monitor the use of oxygen over the coming weeks and is prepared to scale up its response, as needed. The Afrox Western Cape plant has committed to scaling up the provision of oxygen on demand.
To date, the combined public and private use of oxygen is now 37.84 tons a day or 54.1% of the maximum production capacity at the Afrox plant. The public sector total average bulk oxygen consumption is 19.4 tons a day or 27.72% of the daily bulk consumption of the Afrox WC plant.
I want to thank Afrox for their support at this time and again iterate to residents the importance of staying safe and preventing transmission so that we can collectively ensure an effective response to the third wave.
The Western Cape has scaled up its vaccine response
The Western Cape Government has scaled up its response to the mass vaccination programme to administer vaccines over the past 6 weeks and can scale up rapidly, as we receive more vaccines.
We plan to have 290 public vaccinations cumulatively online over time. For this week we currently have the following number of sites active:
- 70 Metro public vaccination sites;
- 115 Rural public vaccination sites; and
- 58 private vaccination sites.
I am pleased to note that each week since the launch of our vaccine rollout vaccine programme we have surpassed our vaccine targets, despite constraints in the national supply.
The Western Cape has begun administering second doses of Pfizer
On 27 June, we began administering the second dose of Pfizer vaccines to those who are 60 years and older. This is done approximately 6 weeks after the initial first dose was taken.
I want to remind residents that you are not protected to the same degree if you have only had your first dose and that you should continue to take all necessary precautions.
The EVDS system will automatically prioritise these clients and schedule an available slot for their next vaccination as close possible after the 42 day interval. The system will generate these messages 3 days before vaccination, at sites closest to the person.
At present, the EVDS is managing three streams of appointments/registration, via SMS notification, which include:
- People over 60 years that are registered for their 1st Pfizer doses;
- People over 60 years that are registered for their 2nd Pfizer doses; and
- People over 50 years registering for their 1st Pfizer doses.
Our vaccine rollout programme is becoming increasingly sophisticated and I want to thank residents at this time for their patience as they wait to be notified accordingly.
Premier Winde urges residents to protect their bubble
You must protect your bubble, which includes those in your immediate household. Your behaviour is one of the most effective ways to prevent infection and break the chain of transmission.
We know that the Delta variant is highly infectious and for this reason, we must:
- Stay home if we are sick. Even if we are only experiencing mild symptoms.
- Avoid gatherings and large crowds.
- Maintain a safe social distance from others at all times.
- Wear our masks correctly, covering both our mouths and nose.
- Covering our cough or sneeze. This can be done by using a tissue or a flexed elbow.
- Wash and sanitise your hands regularly.
- If leaving home, ensure that it is kept – outside, short and small.
- Ensure that you have access to good ventilation at all times by opening a window and/or door, where possible.
We all have a role to play in protecting ourselves and our loved ones. Let us be vigilant and ensure that we flatten the curve and break the chain of transmission.
