HON. MEC FOR HEALTH IN KWAZULU-NATAL, MS NOMAGUGU SIMELANE
GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS PRESENT,
MEMBERS OF THE MEDIA,
DISTINGUISHED GUESTS,
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN
INTRODUCTION
It gives me great pleasure to have the opportunity to address you today. We have just finished our COVID – 19 Command Council meeting, which deliberated on, among other matters, the latest developments concerning COVID – 19.
On many previous occasions, our COVID - 19 media briefings have taken place under a heavy and grim atmosphere that was characterised by high numbers of infections, hospitalisation due to severe illness, and deaths.
This was always accompanied by a deep sense of anxiety, as many people wondered whether they or their loved ones would be next in line to lose their lives to this deadly virus.
But, for a change, we have come bearing good news. Our COVID – 19 numbers for new infections, hospitalisations, and deaths are relatively low.
Our Province has continued to observe a remarkable decline in the number of new cases in the past few weeks.
In fact, over the past week, the overall percentage change in the number of new cases between weeks 40 & 41 was -50%; which is, in other words, a 50% decline. The actual number of new cases recorded was 2 035 for week 40; and 1 026 for week 41 respectively.
The decline occurred across the province, with iLembe, uThukela and Zululand Districts observing a percentage change that was above 60%.
HOSPITAL ADMISSIONS/ISOLATIONS
As recently as the 12th of October 2021, KwaZulu-Natal had 764 patients admitted in both private and public hospitals. This number was made up of 514 or 67% of the patients in private hospitals, and 250 or 33% in public hospitals.
Of those admitted, 130 or 17% of the patients required intensive care services. Private hospitals had more patients in ICU (92%, or 119); than public facilities, whose number stood at 8%, or just 11.
As we have indicated, the number of daily admissions has continued to decline, in both the public and private sectors.
FATALITIES
As of the latest 24-hour reporting period, the Province of KwaZulu-Natal Province recorded 1 new COVID-19-related death. This has brought to 14 704 the total number of COVID – 19 – related deaths in our Province since the beginning of the pandemic.
May the souls of the dearly departed rest in eternal peace, and may their loved ones be comforted.
EThekwini Metro Municipality continues to contribute 35% of the reported deaths, which amounts to 5 235 deaths. Of the total number of fatalities, 231 or 2% of them occurred at home, which again, is cause for concern for us.
We are of the view that even though our infection numbers are low, the very fact that COVID – 19 is still killing our fellow compatriots should make us all worry.
One death due to COVID – 19 is one death too many – let alone 14 704 deaths. These statistics speak of a tragedy of great proportions, because these are not just numbers, but lives that we have lost.
Among these people were breadwinners who were much-loved. They were our brothers and sisters; fathers and mothers, aunts and uncles, grandmothers and grandfathers.
Once again, may their souls rest in peace.
GET VACCINATED AND SAVE LIVES – VACCINATION PROGRESS
We want to say to the people of KwaZulu-Natal, it would be a real tragedy if we allowed the Fourth Wave to come back and start killing our people again, the other real tragedy that is unfolding right before our eyes is the low rate of vaccinations in our Province.
It is unthinkable and most unfortunate that, after so many lives have been lost to COVID – 19 while we did not have a vaccine; when we eventually find it, people then become reluctant to come forward.
They do not want to get protected against this deadly virus.
It is again most tragic and unfortunate that all the myths, lies and misconceptions that some people have been spreading about the safety of the COVID – 19 vaccine, seem to have found fertile ground in the hearts and minds of many people.
This, despite a large body of scientific evidence that points to the safety and efficacy of these vaccines.
As a result of this, only about 2,997 598 million or 29% of all people from KwaZulu-Natal who are eligible, have come forward and got vaccinated.
The table below illustrates the progress of our vaccination activities so far, which leaves a lot to be desired:
AGE GROUP
TARGET
PERCENTAGE VACCINATED
18 – 34 years
2, 403 504
11%
35 – 49 years
3, 052 262
13%
50 – 59 years
808 981
31%
60 years
955 048
58%
Total:
(All Ages Combined)
7, 219 795
29%
CHANGING THE NARRATIVE: LET’S VACCINATE AND SECURE A SAFER AND HEALTHIER FESTIVE SEASON AND LIFE BEYOND IT
We still have the opportunity to change the narrative as far as vaccination is concerned.
We still have the opportunity to change our hearts and minds and get vaccinated in large numbers, so that we reach our target of 7,2 million vaccinations come end of December 2021.
We are pleading with all citizens to come forward and encourage their friends and family to also get vaccinated, so that we can contribute meaningfully towards helping our country reach population immunity.
Our participation and support of the vaccination effort is crucial because of our high population numbers as the second-biggest Province in the country.
WHAT WE ARE DOING TO MAKE VACCINATION ACCESSIBLE AND FASHIONABLE
As a Province, we are intensifying the vaccination campaign through the utilisation of the following service delivery platforms:
•Fixed sites;
• Healthcare facilities
• Mass Vaccination sites
• Community halls
• Tertiary institutions
• Occupational Health sites
• Taxi Ranks
• Drive-Thrus
• Pension pay points
• Shopping malls
• And door to door engagement.
Furthermore, we recently hosted the launch of the Return To Play vaccination drive and we are rolling out the the Vooma Vaccination programme.
So, we are confident that all of these initiatives will ultimately bode well for our campaign to mobilise the public to get vaccinated.
RETURN OF FANS TO WATCH LIVE SPORTS AT STADIUMS
We welcome the decision by Government to allow the return of a limited number of spectators to sports stadiums. This is definitely a step in the right direction because sports economy contributes a lot in the development of our province. If we can come forward and also mobilise many others to get vaccinated, we have no doubt that the number of people who will be allowed to watch live sports at stadiums will be increased even further.
DEVELOPMENTS AHEAD OF THE 2021 LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS
With the 2021 Local Government Elections just a few days away, we have noted a number of disturbing developments concerning the election campaigns of certain political parties.
Some of these campaigns have been opportunistic, while others have sought to sow divisions between communities. We wish to appeal to all political parties to humble themselves, behave responsibly, and to preach the gospel of unity. They must desist from any activities that may be provocative and create challenges that will be irreparable long after the election.
AVOIDING POTENTIAL SUPER-SPREADER GATHERINGS DURING THE ELECTIONS
As we head to the elections, we must not lose sight of the fact that Covid-19 is still with us and infecting people. We need to vaccinate. We need to ensure that the gathering of large crowds of people who will stand in queues as they wait for their chance to vote, do not turn into COVID – 19 super-spreader events.
There have been instances where this has happened elsewhere in the world; so we are calling upon all voters to ensure that they follow all proper COVID – 19 prevention protocols during the elections, so that we do not suffer a similar fate.
In conclusion
We are here to say: let us not be complacent
Let us not allow ourselves to be ambushed by COVID – 19.
Let us always remember at the back of our minds the fact that there is a very real threat of a Fourth Wave creeping up on us. So, let us not be caught off guard.
ENDS