DURBAN - THE increasing numbers of Covid-19 cases in KwaZulu-Natal over the past two weeks has become a major concern for the provincial government.
This is according to Premier Sihle Zikalala, as he said the province had recorded a 37% increase in cases in the past 14 days, amounting to 2145 cases.
On Tuesday, the province registered 947 new Covid-19 cases, bringing the total number of reported cases to 353 348.
Zikalala said the increase in the number of new cases had occurred in 10 of the 11 districts across the province, except for the Harry Gwala District.
“We are observing that five districts are in resurgence, eThekwini, Uthukela, Umgungundlovu, Amajuba and Umzinyathi. It is now a race against the third wave for us in these districts,” he said.
He said the data indicated that the Delta variant has been detected in six districts – Harry Gwala, eThekwini, Zululand, King Cetshwayo, Ugu and Ilembe.
“We have developed our battle plan against this deadly variant. It starts with acting fast and obeying Covid-19 protocols and regulations,” he said.
Zikalala said the province reassessed its bed capacity to accommodate patients, and now has 2494 isolation beds, 1 411 quarantine beds that are dedicated to Covid-19 and four field hospitals with over 682 beds.
On Monday, 416 967 senior citizens, 68 748 educators and 130 546 health workers had been vaccinated in the province. Zikalala said the province was now vaccinating an average of 12000 people per day.
Revealing the province’s enforcement plan, Zikalala said they have directed the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster to review its plans and come up with a clear programme for the next 14 days and beyond.
He said the ProvJoint, which was an integration of all law enforcement agencies, had already met to respond to the new developments.
“In terms of this plan, the focus will be on residential areas, where there is generally a high movement of people, and we will have operations throughout the province.”
Last month, the KZN SAPS revealed that more than 1 763 people were arrested for violating the national lockdown regulations.
He said there would also be intelligence-driven operations targeting illegal movement and sale of alcohol, multi-disciplinary roadblocks and enforcement of the law to ensure adherence to the curfew.
He said they would also be enforcing compliance regarding the wearing of masks and enforcement of sanctions for other forms of non-compliance.
THE MERCURY