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NMB continues to battle the Covid-19 third wave – NMBM

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The Nelson Mandela Bay Deputy Executive Mayor, Cllr Luxolo Namette has urged all residents to be vigilant as 21 COVID-19 deaths have been reported by hospitals within the City from 22-30 August 2021.

During the Joint Operating Centre (JOC) meeting on Tuesday, the Department of Health highlighted that although the COVID-19 vaccination rollout was improving, the COVID-19 positivity rate in the City remained a concern at 31.4% positivity rate among residents who were testing.

“We are sad to have lost 3751 people since this virus broke out in out City. There is evidently still a lot of pressure in our hospitals, particularly at the Greenacres Hospital where 71 patients were recorded as COVID-19 patients on Monday. Livingston Hospital is also under pressure with 66 patients reported to be admitted for COVID-19 on Monday. The Health Department has reported that 62 patients are currently fighting for their lives in the Intensive Care Units (ICU) across the Metro, with 56 in the private hospital and six in the public sector.”

“In total there are 330 residents who are in hospital due to COVID-19. We are really concerned that the infection of children between 15-19 years is alarming at 271 cases, which is very close to the highest 277 cases of the 30-35 year-olds who are also deemed as young people,” said Cllr Namette adding that Walmer remained a hotspot for the virus, followed by Rosedale, KwaZakhele, Motherwell and Algoa Park among other areas.

He highlighted that 8837 residents were vaccinated on Friday, making that the highest number recorded since the rollout started.

“We must commend our residents who continue to heed the call to vaccinate and call on all residents to remain vigilant whether they are vaccinated or not. On Monday a total of 7787 residents were vaccinated and we want to thank our residents for playing their part as the City is really battling with the third wave that does not seem to want to subside.”

A total of 2 661 active cases were recorded in the City on Monday after 233 new cases were recorded.

“As the City we continue to implement different strategies to flatten the curve. Our Public Health officials have not stopped doing inspections and surveillance of premises deemed as high risk and these include old age homes, schools, religious gatherings, restaurants, retail outlets and liquor operations. We do this to ensure that protocols are in place at these places as thousands of our people can infect each other at these places.

“Our Metro Police officers are hard at work doing raids and operations that seek to ensure that even during the week residents adhere to the COVID-19 regulations. This fight needs each resident to act responsibly for their own lives by adhering to the regulations but by also taking the vaccine. As a result we are looking forward to opening of the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium as a mass vaccination site. We have made the site available to the Department of Health. We understand that once opened, the site will operate seven days a week. Although there were some delays, there is indication that in September the site will be opened. Our people must use all vaccinations sites available to them.”

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