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Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Acting Mayor Councillor Thsonono Buyeye has reiterated his concerns over the increasing number of COVID-19 infections in the City saying a lockdown is the only way the infection rate could be controlled during the winter season.
This comes after Nelson Mandela Bay recorded 7514 positive cases as at 29 June 2020.
In a statement, Thsonono said it was alarming that infections in Motherwell had now surpassed the 1000 mark, recording a total of 1061. He said other hotspot areas include Uitenhage which recorded 564 cases, KwaNobuhle with 580 and KwaZakhele with 551 recorded positive cases this week.
“The increasing numbers won’t change, there is nothing more we can request from the residents which we have not requested already. That is why we are of the view that in NMBM a lockdown would really assist us in controlling the virus.”
“Hospitals are not coping, police stations and clinics often close because of COVID-19 and beds are running out in the health facilities,” Mayor Buyeye said.
COVID-19 Disaster Management Forum chairperson Shane Brown said while the City had measures in place to assist the hospitals, there was a fear of hospital beds running out.
“You can’t stop the spread of the virus if people are moving around. People are moving around and socialising without wearing masks which is the most critical protective gear to fight the virus,” he said.
Brown said they fear a situation where the City runs out of beds to help patients and run out of transport to get them to the facilities.
“The lockdown did assist with slowing down the infection rate. The Mayor has proposed the lockdown again as things will continue to get hard,” he said.
Brown appealed to residents to wear face masks when they are in public, adding that now was not the time to socialise.
