Ragers spread the virus

Several 2020 matric Rage events have been classified as Covid-19 super-spreaders.

In a statement, Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize said a number of positive cases had been identified from the events and everyone who attended must be considered a contact.

“We now urge all the Rage attendees to immediately go into a 10-day quarantine period as per the department of health guidelines. We also urge that all Rage attendants test for Covid-19,” he said.

Mkhize urged all parents to take their children for testing if the attended any of the events.

The events are: Rage Ballito (27 November to 4 December) and Rage Jeff reys Bay (26 November to 6 December). There is a Rage Johannesburg scheduled for Saturday and Sunday.

“This is a clear illustration that large gatherings, which involve the consumption of alcohol, are a major risk and continue to undermine our efforts to contain the spread of the coronavirus,” said Mkhize.

While the coronavirus has generally not been dangerous to younger people and children, the minister added that, as carriers, “they also put the lives of their parents, grandparents and other loved ones living with co-morbidities at risk”.

“It is also worth noting reports we have received that a few private hospitals in Durban now have full ICUs.”

Dr Kams Govender, from the Value Health Hillcrest Medical and Urgent Care Centre, took to Facebook over the weekend, saying the “past 48 hours has been overwhelming as a practitioner”, as there has been an “influx of teens requiring Covid-19 PCR tests”.

Yesterday, the Plett Rage posted a statement on its Facebook page saying that “many Ragers attending Durban Rage have tested positive for Covid-19 ... We cannot be sure at this time what impact this will have on Plett Rage…

“At this stage, the outcome of the event is unknown, and we will be making further announcements in the coming days. We will stop all Plett Rage sales until further notice.”

There was no communication yesterday on the official Rage Festival website, nor G&G Productions’ official social media channels.