News24
10 Jun 2021, 16:10 GMT+10
The Western Cape is entering a third wave of Covid-19 infections, according to provincial health officials.
Premier Alan Winde announced this at a digital briefing on Thursday after the province recorded an increase in cases of more than 30% week on week.
Head of the Western Cape health department, Keith Cloete, added that the cases increased rapidly over the last 10 days.
READ HERE | Western Cape to receive 267 newly graduated nurses for the vaccine rollout
He explained that even though the National Institute For Communicable Diseases (NICD) had not issued confirmation of a third wave, the provincial statistics showed an acceleration.
"It's no longer a gradual increase. Therefore, we are entering the third wave," he said, adding that a formal announcement from the NCID was imminent.
There are 5 802 active cases in the province and more than 1 400 of those were reported in the last week.
The province is recording more than 430 new cases a day, according to Cloete.
He said:
Admissions are increasing with 52 new admissions per day. Deaths may also be starting to increase with around five to six each day.
The increase is being driven by cluster events, such as funerals, weddings and sports events.
He added that many schools have recorded an increase in cases, but said these appeared to be transmitted in the community rather than at school.
At the peak of the first wave, the Western Cape recorded around 1 380 cases a day, and the province recorded 3 060 a day in the second wave.
Get a daily dose of Cape Town Express news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Cape Town Express.
More InformationISTANBUL/PARIS/BRUSSELS: As searing temperatures blanket much of Europe, wildfires are erupting and evacuation orders are being issued...
VENICE, Italy: Over the weekend, hundreds of protesters marched through the narrow streets of Venice to voice their opposition to billionaire...
PARIS, France: France is taking stronger steps to reduce smoking. A new health rule announced on Saturday will soon ban smoking in...
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday claimed Elon Musk's success has been built on government subsidies. Without...
EVERGLADES, Florida: Over the weekend, a diverse coalition of environmental activists, Native American leaders, and residents gathered...
BEIJING, China: China's national soccer team may struggle to stir excitement, but its humanoid robots are drawing cheers — and not...
Indias PM believes the platform will contribute to a balanced multipolar world order BRICS is a crucial platform for fostering cooperation...
Birmingham [UK], July 2 (ANI): Indian and England players were wearing a black armband before the start of play on Day 1 of the second...
New Delhi [India] July 2 (ANI): Keshav Maharaj, who was captain for the Zimbabwe series following the unavailability of full-time Test...
New Delhi [India] July 2 (ANI): Indian wicketkeeper/batter Rishabh Pant registered a career-best rating on the latest ICC Men's Test...
Washington, DC [US], July 2 (ANI): The public and messy feud between President Trump and tech billionaire Elon Musk was reignited this...
Grenada [West Indies], July 2 (ANI): Australia's right-hand batter Steve Smith is likely to feature in the playing XI for his national...