Disease hot-spots: Here’s where you are most likely to fall ill in SA

The global health crisis is beginning to take a hefty toll on South Africa, as almost 5 000 positive cases have been confirmed in the country. Our death toll increased to 93 on Tuesday, just days before the first restrictions of lockdown are lifted. But where are you most likely to catch the disease in Mzansi?

The Department of Health has released its latest facts and figures, with a particular focus on ‘disease hot-spots’. These are the locations – sorted by municipal boundaries – which have seen the highest rates of infection since this “invisible enemy” landed on our shores.

Disease hot-spots in South Africa

South Africa’s biggest cities – Johannesburg, Cape Town and Tshwane – all feature on this list. The Western Cape has become the new “epicentre”, and there are six districts that are identified as transmission hot-spots. KZN has the most with nine, followed by the Eastern Cape with eight. There are 50 in total:

Western Cape

• Cape Winelands
• Central Karoo
• City of Cape Town
• Garden Route
• Overberg
• West Coast

Gauteng

• City of Johannesburg
• City of Tshwane
• Ekurhuleni
• West Rand

KZN

• Amajuba
• eThekwini
• iLembe
• Harry Gwala
• King Cetshwayo
• Mgungundlovu
• Ugu
• Uthukela
• Zululand

Eastern Cape

• Alfred Nzo
• Amathole Municipality
• Buffalo City
• Chris Hani
• Joe Gqabi
• Nelson Mandela Bay
• Oliver Tambo
• Sarah Baartman

Limpopo

• Capricorn
• Mopane
• Sekhukhune
• Vhembe
• Waterberg

Mpumalanga

• Ehlanzeni
• Gert Sibande
• Nkangata

North West

• Bojanala Platinum
• Kenneth Kaunda
• Ngaka Modri Molema
• Ruth Segomotsi Mompati

Free State

• Fezile Dabi
• Lejweleputswa
• Mangaung
• Thabo Motutsanyana
• Xhariep

Northern Cape

• Frances Baard
• John Taolo Gaetswe
• Namakwa
• Podey ka Seme
• ZF Mgcawu

Fighting a killer illness – SA lands a punch or two

Despite these warnings, the initial signs of progress remain positive. The health department thoroughly believe the curve has been flattened, and the peak of this illness has been delayed.

Although no nation can indefinitely hide from this crisis, entering into a swift and strict lockdown allows governments more time to beef-up their hospital and treatment capacities before reopening the economy. It’s also worth noting over 2 000 South Africans have recovered from the killer disease: Now there’s a reason for optimism.