Level 3 ‘likely to continue’

President Cyril Ramaphosa may extend the duration of level 3 of the national lockdown in the next “family meeting”, even though there are signs that Covid-19 infections are declining.

This was indicated yesterday during the Gauteng provincial command council (PPC) update on the Covid-19 status of the province.

“We can confirm that the trajectory has been sustained and gone down to low numbers before further decisions are made about adjusting public health and social measure,” said member of the premier’s Covid-19 advisory council Dr Mary Kawonga.

“The pandemic is on a downward trajectory. This suggests that there is a positive impact of the adjusted level 3.

“We are cautiously optimistic because the second wave is not over yet. We are still seeing a high number of deaths, a high number of cases and excess deaths are still high even though we have seen an early dip.”

The PCC indicated that, based on surveillance, there had been a significant decrease in the number of cases, with this happening earlier than expected.

Hospital admissions remained high but the number of deaths had decreased, while Alexandra and Tembisa continue to be among the hotspots.

According to the advisory council, the risk index needed to be below 10 in order to reduce the possibility of a resurgence, which can result in the third wave.

At the same briefing, Gauteng premier David Makhura also responded to “allegations of corruption against him in the awarding of PPE (personal protective equipment) contracts”.

Makhura said he has sought to challenge the “error” made by Judge Selewe Mothle, who presided at the special tribunal where former Gauteng health department chief financial officer, Kabelo Lehloenya, deposed an affidavit implicating Makhura, former health MEC Bandile Masuku, and erstwhile head of department Mkhululi Lukhele in the graft.

“I took very seriously the allegations that she got some of the names from the office of the premier,” said Makhura yesterday.

Makhura denied he gave a list of names of companies to be awarded contracts.