Zweli Mkhize Fears COVID-19 Deaths Will Spike In SA’s Metros By mid-July

NYAKALLO TEFU

THE country’s coronavirus hotspots would be closely monitored after the official COVID-19 model predicted 45 000 South Africans would have died from the virus by mid-July, Health Minister Zweli Mkhize said during the National Assembly’s first hybrid sitting on Wednesday.

The most stricken hotspot by far is the Cape Town metro with 117.2 infections per 100,000 residents, followed by Buffalo City at 43.5, Nelson Mandela Bay metro at 26.1, the Cape Winelands district at 22.2 and Eland’s Bay at 21.3.

The list also includes Chris Hani district in the Eastern Cape with 13.6, Ekurhuleni with 13.2 and eThekwini with 12.1. 

 “The purpose of identifying hotspots was to be able to take all the measures necessary to control the rise of infections”, said Mkhize.

Mkhize said districts classified as hotspots could remain at Level 4 with the intensive implementation of testing and restrictions.

The minister said districts would be identified