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Health Minister, Dr. Zweli Mkhize, has expressed concern after South Africa’s Covid19 infections breached the 10 000 mark for new daily infections.
He said daily infections were also rising exponentially and the positivity rate was 21%, far higher than the “ideal rate” of 10%.
“Today alone we have seen a significant increase in the daily numbers, with the Western Cape continuing to lead now breaching the 3000 mark for the first time this week,” the Health Minister said.
Seven other provinces reported increases while the Eastern Cape “reported decreases” in the new cases on Wednesday.
Mkhize said the Health Department was continuing to assess the country and where risks are identified “we will engage and make a determination if further containment measures or restrictions are required.”
The Minister also commended South Africans who heeded the call and complied with regulations by not going to the beaches.
Meanwhile, the Democratic Alliance has extended the deadline for President Cyril Ramaphosa to provide reasons justifying the closure of beaches on the Garden Route.
DA leader, John Steenhuisen, said Ramaphosa had requested more time after the party gave him until 5 pm yesterday or face a court challenge.
He said the fact that the national government has requested additional time to prepare a response to their letter only demonstrates that there was none, to begin with.
Steenhuisen said that should it be evident that the decision to close the Garden Route's beaches was taken without rational reasons and therefore unlawful, the DA will file papers.
