Cape Metro COVID-19 update – 26 November

Marked increases of 73% in new COVID-19 cases and 28% in new COVID-19 deaths over the last seven days paints a clear picture why the Cape Metropole has been deemed as having established resurgence.

Subdistricts in the Metro which are of great concern such as Southern (87%), Mitchells Plain (185%) and Khayelitsha (92%) have recorded the greatest number of new cases this week.

As we have seen during the first wave of infections, once community transmission is established within communities, especially in the Metro, the situation can quickly deteriorate if not brought under control soon.

A closer look into the Metro subdistrict shows the areas where we have seen a significant increase in new cases over the past seven days:

New cases per subdistrict in the Metropole over the last 7 days:

New deaths

Reports from our local surveillance team indicate that gatherings at social events, going to shopping centres while not adhering to protective measures such as wearing a mask and keeping a distance has led to quite a few cases testing positive. We call on the citizens of each of these subdistricts and as a collective to do their part so we can bring the situation under control again. We all have a role to play through our own actions.

Our behaviour will be influenced once we acknowledge and accept that the virus is not gone but will be with us over the holidays and beyond. Therefore, we need to remain safe and protect each other by:

• Wearing a mask properly is of life-saving importance. You must wear your masks at all times when outside of your home. There can be no exceptions.
• You must avoid crowded and confined spaces at all costs. This is where super-spreader events take place.
• You must urgently reconsider hosting all non-essential gatherings of people this year, especially indoor gatherings with poor ventilation. 
• You must ensure there is good ventilation at all times whenever you’re in public. The virus droplets spread by air in confined spaces, and so fresher is better.
• You must wash your hands regularly with soap and water or use sanitiser.
• If you feel sick, you should not leave your home unless it is to get healthcare treatment. You must first call our hotline on 080 928 4102 for guidance on the next steps.
• You should also not visit someone who is sick, and find other ways to provide support, like delivering a meal to a neighbour’s doorstep.

Every single resident should assume that Covid-19 is everywhere they go and take all the necessary precautions at every point along their journey.