According to President Cyril Ramaphosa, the COVID-19 infection rates in Gauteng are “much higher than we have seen before”.
Gauteng third wave likely to get worse
Almost 70% of all daily positive cases were in Gauteng in the preceding 24 hours, the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) said on Monday.
On Wednesday, 16 June, Gauteng saw 7 900 COVID-19 cases in a single day – 1 000 more than the second-wave peak in January 2021.
According to Cape Talk, expert Professor Francois Venter says the third wave in Gauteng is likely to get worse over the next month.
The continued rise in hospitalisations has already led to some patients receiving oxygen while sitting chairs for two days waiting for beds to become available.
Imtiaz Sooliman, founder of Gift of the Givers, stated both public and private hospitals are filled to their capacity.
According to MSN, coming across an empty bed in hospitals is very scarce. Patients have moved from hospital to hospital trying to find any space available for them to get help.
Will Gauteng go on level 5 lockdown?
According to experts, it is too late for Gauteng to be on lockdown. In two weeks, the province will be due for its highest peak before things begin to settle again.
While a decision on the province is yet to be made, reports have emerged that Ramaphosa, who was in Cape Town on Tuesday on an oversight visit that went a bit awry, is scheduled to meet with Cabinet and scientists to discuss the possibility of stricter lockdown measures for South Africa.
The South African Medical Association (SAMA) is one of many health organisations that have come out in support of a level 5 lockdown move.
SAMA chairperson Dr Angelique Coetzee went as far as claiming that the government, particularly Education Minister Angie Motshekga, was not following the advice of South African scientists.
South African Medical Association says government must publish the advice they are acting on. Chair Dr Coetzee who serves on the Vaccine Ministerial Advisory Committee says gov is not acting on advice of experts, incl Basic Education Minister Motsekga that schools must close.
— Aldrin Sampear (@AldrinSampear) June 22, 2021
