Organised business has expressed its concern at the current surge in COVID-19 cases in Nelson Mandela Bay and surrounding areas.
According to the Municipality, 5 000 known cases have been recorded since the start of the week, with 800 active cases Wednesday alone.
Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber President Andrew Muir warned that given the current rates of infection, this number could double by next week.
Muir said in a statement on Thursday that Nelson Mandela Bay and surrounds is Africa’s hotspot and accounts for almost 90% of the COVID-19 cases in the Eastern Cape.
He warned that the current situation is serious and could get much worse than was experienced during the first wave of the virus in June and July this year.
Muir said the Metro’s health care system is over-stretched and is over-flowing with hospitals in both the public and private sectors running at full or near-full capacity.
He emphasised the need for everyone to take responsibility for the health and welfare, not only of themselves but also of their loved ones.
He also urged businesses, where practically possible, to allow their staff to work from home to help reduce the risk of infection in the workplace.
Meanwhile, three police stations in Nelson Mandela Bay were closed on Thursday because of COVID-19 infections.
The Bethelsdorp, Kabega Park and Algoa Park police stations were all closed to allow for decontamination and will be re-opened as soon as it is deemed safe to do so.
