The Eastern Cape Health Department has urged community members in Nelson Mandela Bay not to go to health facilities with minor ailments that can be treated and managed at home.
The NMB Health District manager, Darlene de Vos says staff at their health facilities are working under strain as a result of the huge number of COVID-19 related cases.
"Many of our health facilities are under severe pressure due to staff shortages. We have lost a number of colleagues, and currently, we have 134 staff members from all facilities across the Metro who are in self-isolation due to COVID-19", she said.
On Wednesday, President Cyril Ramaphosa said in his address to the nation that the Eastern Cape was showing signs of a resurgence in new cases.
"In the last week, the number of new cases in the province was 50% higher than the week before, and the total number of new cases in the last 14 days was around 145% higher than the previous 14 days", he said.
According to the president, the increases in new cases were being driven by massive spikes in Nelson Mandela Bay and the Sarah Baartman District.
