‘A fire is burning in Sedibeng’ - Makhura warns of looming third wave in Gauteng
Gauteng Premier David Makhura is concerned about the rapid rise of Covid-19 infections in the province.
In the past week, the province has seen a 4% increase in new cases.
All districts have recorded an increase in infections, with Johannesburg, Tshwane and Sedibeng leading the pack.
Makhura said the Emfuleni subdistrict in Sedibeng is the highest cause for concern.
“There are indications that we are in the early phase of the third wave
“The fire is still burning in Sedibeng as we speak now and there’s some resurgence in Johannesburg,” he said at an update of the provincial government on Friday.
He believes the lessons learnt in first and second waves have not been lost.
Makhura added phase 2 of the vaccination drive would be pointed towards areas that haven’t yet been hardest hit.
“In our response to vaccination we also have to go where the risk is higher.”
“We know vaccination is important but we will only be able to get a certain number of vaccines
“We’re going to ensure that we continue to deploy the tracking and tracing teams more effectively because the only way to put out the fires is to contain it in the areas that we know that the potential for it to burn more and have a long burn is in areas that have been less affected,” Makhura explained.
Makhura further tried to alleviate concern about the safety of vaccines after the country temporarily halted the Sisonke 3B implantation study.
“We have picked up that since the suspension of J&J because of the issues around clotting, since that time there is a bit of reluctance or hesitance
“We’re going back to the drawing board because we have found that even the old age homes where people were initially indicating that they are waiting for the vaccine, there is a hesitance.
“We want to appeal to people of our province that vaccination is extremely important.”
Listen to David Makhura below:
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