MEC FOR HEALTH, Ms NOMAGUGU SIMELANE,

GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS PRESENT,

MEMBERS OF THE MEDIA,

DISTINGUISHED GUESTS,

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,

INTRODUCTION,

Thank you very much for attending this media briefing, whose aim is to bring the people of this Province – and the nation – up to speed with developments pertaining to COVID – 19.

This deadly pandemic remains one of the toughest challenges of our time; which makes the regular sharing of information a critical part of winning the battle we are facing. We therefore appreciate the role that the media plays in this regard.

RETENTION OF CONTRACT STAFF TO FIGHT THE COVID 19 THIRD WAVE AND POTENTIAL FOURTH WAVE

We wish to start by highlighting the fact that, upon our assessment of the COVID-19 situation in the province, our Provincial Cabinet has resolved to approve the extension of contracts for staff appointed as part of our COVID-19 response plan, for a further six months; from 01 September 2021 to 31 March 2022.

This means that more than 15000 staff members - inclusive of nurses, administrative clerks, data capturers, and general orderlies, among others - will be retained to lead the provincial efforts to defeat COVID-19, so that we ultimately achieve population immunity.

We highly appreciate the contribution made by these recruits since COVID – 19 started, and we want to call upon them to continue working with diligence and dedication in the service of our fellow compatriots.

In the same breath, we express our full gratitude to all healthcare workers who have continued to soldier on, under difficult circumstances, since the pandemic began. We also fondly remember and pay tribute to all those who have passed away due to the virus.

KZN CLOCKS OVER 2 MILLION MARK ON VACCINATION

Our vaccination effort is now in high gear. This week, the province breached above 2 million mark in terms of the number of inoculated persons. We have as a province a target of vaccinating a total of 7,5 million people if we are to contribute meaningfully to the country achieving population immunity for the COVID-19 virus. Our target is to reach 60 000 daily vaccinations, which could help us reach our target of 7,2 million vaccinations by the end of March next year.

This will allow us to firmly focus on the task of rebuilding the economy and saving jobs.

OVER-18 AGE GROUP, ALSO KNOWN AS “AMA-2000,” RESPOND POSITIVELY TO COVID – 19 VACCINATION CAMPAIGN

We are also very encouraged by the positive response that has been shown by young people aged from 18 onwards who have come forward to get vaccinated, since they became eligible for this a few days ago.

We share the sentiments that have been expressed by academics elsewhere that the vaccination of the over – 18 cohort is good for us in a number of ways.

Firstly, it means that all adults with co-morbidities are now eligible for vaccination.

But secondly, as a relatively young country, the over-18 population group is quite sizeable and influential. It therefore has the power to change the narrative around vaccination and make it positive. This is especially so, on social media, which is one place that shapes people’s opinions and their general outlook.

So, indeed, we are pleased that the over 18s are coming out in numbers and sharing their “selfies” and posting videos of themselves getting vaccinated. May this spirit continue, because it has a number of these positive spin-offs.

This also means that these youngsters will be safe from the virus; but also, they will pose less of a threat to their parents, grandparents, and other members of their households who might be of advanced age, or be living with comorbidities.

We have so far registered 216 754 people aged between 18 and 34, and have vaccinated 55 302 of them, from the 20th to the 27th of August 2021. This gives us an average of 7000 vaccinations among this group, per day.

IMPACT OF THE THIRD WAVE VS THE SECOND AND FIRST WAVES

When we do a comparison between the different waves that we have had, we realise that the highest number that we recorded in a day during the second wave was 6 700; while during the third wave, the highest number has so far been 4 198.

We remain concerned that our numbers are on an upward trend; while the difference this time around is that children – mostly learners – are getting infected.

WEEKLY COVID-19 TREND ANALYSIS

The overall percentage change in the number of new cases between week 33 & 34 was 33%. The actual number of new cases recorded was 15 333 for week 33; and 22 817 for week 34 respectively. This increase in the number of new cases was noted across the province.

Within the latest 24 hour reporting period, we have had 3 107 new infections, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 474 026. We currently have 59 274 active cases; and have sadly lost 13 433 people; and we pray that their souls must rest in peace. There have been 400 455 recoveries.

The number of daily hospital admissions has also increased in both private and public hospitals. Over the past week, 2 648 people were admitted in public and private hospitals.

DISTRICTS WITH HIGH INFECTIONS IN THE THIRD WAVE

DISTRICTS WITH HIGH INFECTIONS IN THE THIRD WAVE

The upsurge in cases has moved from Uthukela, Amajuba and Umzinyathi. Currently, the districts that are recording higher number of cases daily are Ethekwini, Umgungundlovu, King Cetshwayo, Zululand, Umkhanyakude and Ilembe. These Districts have for the past 3 weeks had continuously higher numbers, with Ethekwini accounting for more than 40% cases daily.

CONCERN AS MORE SCHOOLS REGISTER CLUSTER CASES

The Province has had more than 1100 COVID-19 cases in 350 schools in the past 3 weeks. These numbers are increasing daily; and more leaners are testing positive. Sadly, the pandemic has claimed the lives of two 12 year-old schoolchildren, as well as a 9 year-old.

The Department of Education is intensifying non-pharmaceutical interventions to reduce the spread of the virus in schools.

Clusters have also been observed in other congregant settings, such as boarding schools, mental health facilities, centres for the visually impaired and old age homes. We urge those who require assistance where clusters have been observed to seek assistance by contacting the National Institute for Communicable Diseases on toll-free number: 0800 029 999.

INTESIFYING VACCINATION EFFORTS TO SAVE LIVES

We would want to emphasise that, in order to defeat COVID-19, vaccination is the obvious key and most important intervention to save lives. Of course, this must be done in conjunction with non-pharmaceutical prevention measures, such as the wearing of masks, regular hand washing or hand sanitizing and social distancing.

We have begun taking a closer look at whether the people who get admitted at our facilities were indeed vaccinated, so that we can establish scientifically how many of them recover, and how many eventually lose their lives.

Looking at admissions between the period 16 February –14 August 2021, we have had 13 119 hospital admissions.

It concerns us that, of the total admissions for this period, only 3% or 384 were vaccinated; while 57% or 7523 had unknown vaccination status; and 40% or 5 212 had not been vaccinated.

While more data is being collected, and more detailed analysis is still being conducted, which will provide scientific and medical explanations to this; at face value, it does appear that the majority of people in hospital and those who sadly passed away were not vaccinated.

We have also observed that the majority of vaccinated people faced mild symptoms and were quickly discharged from hospitals. It does appear from these preliminary observation (again, which are yet to be confirmed scientifically and medically) that if you are vaccinated you stand a better chance of fighting successfully against COVID-19.

MORE DEATHS AT HOME

As a Province, we are concerned by the 227 confirmed cases of COVID – 19 people who have died at home, though this number could be much higher. This is because of the high number of people who are dying at home, but their mortal remains do not get tested before they are buried. We are therefore once again urging families to allow or request funeral parlours to test these human remains for COVID - 19. This is a service that the Department of Health offers free of charge. It is extremely important that we properly document these deaths, because they inform our approaches and strategies to save lives in future.

TOO EARLY TO SPECULATE ABOUT THE FESTIVE SEASON

Our third wave seems to be taking longer to subside than the other two waves. We continue to closely monitor trends associated with it. At this point, it is difficult to say what kind of December holiday seasons we will have in so far as infections and fatalities are concerned. Only time will tell in this regard.

But, for our part, we are implementing our plan, which is only as good as the public are willing to play their part by getting vaccinated, and also observing all non-pharmaceutical prevention measures, which we are urging them to do.

UPDATE ON BUILDING UNITY AND COHESION - HERITAGE MONTH 2021 – “WE ARE ONE NATION” FESTIVAL

As we enter Heritage Month in September, this period assumes greater significance in our province this year, in light of the recent civil unrest, which led to deaths and the disruption of businesses.

This period presents us with an opportunity to introspect and reflect about the lives that we lead, about our past, and about the future that we want to create and leave behind for our children and future generations.

It is also an opportunity for us to heal from the deep scars of our painful past and its associated injustice and hurt, and to tolerate and accept one another, in order to forge a future of unity and togetherness.

As Government, we will use Heritage Month to contribute to the rebuilding of the province’s moral core and to help grow a society that is united in its diversity.

We have resolved to host a “#WE ARE ONE festival, which will be held in compliance with all COVID – 19 protocols. This occasion, whose details will communicated in due course, will be utilised to unite and promote cohesion across the different cultures. Government hereby invites the people of KwaZulu-Natal to also use Heritage Month to engage in dialogues and programmes to focus on Youth and Women Empowerment, Teenage Pregnancy and HIV, Drug and substance abuse and Gender-Based Violence.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, we wish to indicate that this week we will intensify our vaccination programme with partnerships between government, business, faith-based organisations, traditional leaders, media, creative industry and institutions of higher learning.

We will from this week launch a series of vaccine pop-up sites and ward-based vaccination drives.

We are concerned about the two emerging strands between vaccinated and un-vaccinated people. We note that vaccinated people now want to have more access to sports, entertainment, hospitality etc. We are also mindful that we still need to get everyone vaccinated. We would want to clarify to those who are still vaccine hesitant that vaccination is the first step to getting our lives back to normal.

Vaccines are safe and this has been confirmed by all regulatory and scientific bodies. Those who get vaccinated may suffer mild symptoms, which may include headaches, fever, fatigue, muscle pain or a runny tummy, which simply implies that the body is building resistance against COVID-19.

These can be managed through rest and medication prescribed by doctors. In instances where any side effects are not improving, we recommend that patients present themselves at their nearest healthcare facility, without waiting for too long until complications set in.

Let us vaccinate and be remembered as the generations that helped create a COVID-19 free KwaZulu-Natal and South Africa.

I thank you.