COVID-19 Wreaking Havoc in KZN

By: Pamella Majola & Mfundo Mabaso

KwaZulu-Natal  continues to rank first in the country, in terms of the number of active COVID-19 cases.

This is according to the province’s Premier, Sihle Zikalala,  as he addressed the media … on the provinces Covid-19 situation as well as the latest developments.

Zikalala says the virus is now moving more and more inland.

“Statistics are critical in monitoring the pace and impact of the pandemic. The latest picture of the pandemic is that in the last seven days, KZN recorded 29 147 new infections. The infection rate continues to increasem particularly in the following districts: eThekwini, Umgungundlovu, Uthukela, Amajuba, Zululand, Umkhanyakude, UMzinyathi,” says Zikalala.

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Zikalala says hospitals are not yet full and have increased bed capacity and oxygen supply.

“As of 15 January 2021, out of the total 2 905 available COVID-19 isolation beds, 2 082 or 72% were occupied. And from a total of 115 ICU beds allocated in public sector, 53% were occupied. We have 823 beds availability in our health facilities within the province and additional beds in our field hospitals and private facilities (lodges and hotels),” explains Zikalala.

The Premier has also raised concerns  that far too many people are responding late to COVID-19 symptoms, and arriving at health care facilities when it is simply too difficult to save them.

Commenting on vaccine roolout, Zikalala says they are putting in place a plan that will ensure that they  roll out vaccines faster when they become available.