NELSON Mandela Bay Municipality public health portfolio head, Thsonono Buyeye, has called upon residents to remain vigilant against the spread of COVID-19, despite the latest statistics from the Department of Health showing a slight decrease in new infections in the region.
Following the COVID-19 Joint Operating Centre meeting held recently, Buyeye said that while it was encouraging to note that there were fewer new cases recorded in the first week of January, compared to more than 500 new cases recorded on January 1, residents should not drop their guard, as these were still early days after the busy festive season.
He said that it was revealed in the meeting that the metro had almost 5 000 active cases in the first week of the new year. Although it was still a high number, it is lower than the almost 6 000 active cases in the metro during the last week of December.
At the start of the second week, the active cases were less than 4000.
“We remain cautiously optimistic and hope the numbers continue to go down. COVID-19 remains a threat in our society. We wish to convey our condolences to the affected families that have lost loved ones to the virus and continue to plead with our people to get vaccinated, as the main aim of vaccines is to reduce the hospitalisation and death rates,” he said.
“The Summerstrand, Lorraine, Westering, Walmer and Gelvandale areas remain our biggest hotspots,” he added.
Buyeye mentioned that the fully vaccinated residents who are eligible to get their booster vaccines, are encouraged to do so.
“Residents are encouraged to get their booster shots. Testing and vaccines are even available at primary clinics now. Vaccines are intended to impact on severe illness and reduce hospital admissions and ultimately deaths. It’s a new year; we really would love to go back to some normal living as we knew it and we can only do that if the majority of us get vaccinated.”
– ISSUED BY THE NELSON MANDELA BAY MUNICIPALITY COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE
