RAMAPHOSA EXPRESSES CONCERN IN NEWSLETTER
PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa said yesterday that he was worried about the rising number of Covid-19 cases in the country and defended the lockdown that has remained in place since March 27 to try to slow transmissions, although some rules have since been relaxed.
In his weekly newsletter, Ramaphosa said the total number of cases would pass the 50 000 mark in the coming week, while fatalities were expected to surpass 1 000.
“Like many South Africans, I too have been worried as I watch these figures keep rising,” he said.
“While these numbers are broadly in line with what the various models had projected, there is a big difference between looking at a graph on a piece of paper and seeing real people becoming infected, some getting ill and some dying.”
He said the lockdown, which the government has relaxed to level 3 from the maximum level 5, had given the country time to prepare health facilities and interventions for the expected spike in infections.
As of last night, the number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in South Africa stood at 50 879 with 26 099 recoveries and 1080 deaths, Health
Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize said. Ramaphosa said the number of infections was probably rising faster than most people had imagined and was cause for concern but not alarm.
He said the country was intensifying the programme of screening, testing, contact tracing and, where necessary, isolation.
“Over the coming weeks, as we watch the infections continue to rise, we must remember that we are not helpless,” he said.
“And we should remember one simple, but fundamental, message: Don’t be alarmed. Be prepared.”