Ramaphosa on rising infection rate: ‘Don’t be alarmed, be prepared’

President Cyril Ramaphosa has warned of a rapidly rising COVID-19 infection rate, compounded by the relaxation of lockdown regulations and the virus’ projected spread as the inevitable peak looms.

In his customary Monday-morning address, entitled From The Desk of the President, Ramaphosa noted the country’s concerns regarding the sharp rise in confirmed coronavirus infections. The president said that as the country’s infection count neared 50 000 — with the death toll expected to exceed 1 000 on Monday — South Africans needed to remain vigilant and proactive in the personal battle against COVID-19.

COVID-19 spikes as pupils head back to school

Ramaphosa’s comments coincide with the reopening of schools to Grade 7 and 12 pupils; a decision which has been marred by inconsistencies and delays on behalf of the Department of Basic Education. The move to reopen classrooms, which have been ordered to follow strict health and safety protocols, has been criticised as premature and reckless by some civil societies.

The president noted that while anxiety and apprehension was par for the course, government’s preventative efforts in implementing a nationwide lockdown had succeeded in flattening the virus’ curve and had, subsequently, lessened the pressure on the country’s healthcare services. Ramaphosa added that the lockdown had, additionally, afforded citizens an opportunity to learn more about the virus and the importance of good hygiene in combatting the spread of COVID-19.

The president argued that South Africans still needed to heed the call for better social distancing practices, pointing to public places as a primary concern.

Western and Eastern Cape: Problem provinces

Health Minister Zweli Mkhize was, last week, joined by President Ramaphosa during an oversight visit to the Western Cape. The province — which holds the critical title as the country’s coronavirus epicentre — has come under government’s microscope, with the risk-adjusted, district-based model threatening to plunge hotspots back into higher levels of lockdown.

Both Mkhize and Ramaphosa noted that while the province’s testing and tracing programmes had assisted with government’s projection models, the lack of beds — particularly in critical care sectors — posed serious problems for the regions preparedness. Mkhize ordered that the Western Cape increase its capacity by almost 300%.

Ramaphosa added that the Eastern Cape — which has been marred by under-resourced healthcare services – remained a serious concern, saying:

“After the Western Cape, the Eastern Cape is the province with the fastest-growing proportion of people infected. And we know that some of the infections in the province were the result of people travelling from the Western Cape.

What this tells us is that no part of the country is an island and that all South Africans, no matter where they live, need to remain vigilant and prepared.

It is for this reason also that people are not permitted to travel between provinces while the country is at alert level 3, except under specific circumstances and with the necessary permits.”

‘Don’t be alarmed, be prepared’ – President Ramaphosa

Ramaphosa reiterated the call for personal responsibility. Echoing the sentiments expressed during his announcement on Level 3 lockdown — which has been aimed at reopening the economy to limit socioeconomic disaster — Ramaphosa said that the onus of limiting the spread of COVID-19 rested with ordinary South Africans. The president explained:

“As we watch the number of infections rise further — probably far faster than most of us imagined — we should be concerned, but not alarmed. That is because we have the ability, as individuals, communities and as a country, to limit the impact of the disease on our people.

As we have shown, we can slow the spread of the disease, and we should continue to take all measures possible to continue to flatten the infection curve. Most importantly, we must be prepared to reduce the number of deaths by implementing the necessary health measures.”

Ramaphosa added that the focus for families and communities should be on how to better protect high-risk individuals, namely, the elderly and those with comorbidities. The president said that personal planning for isolation and quarantine needed to be intensified in households across South Africa. Ramaphosa called on citizens to be adequately prepared, saying:

“Over the coming weeks, as we watch the coronavirus infections continue to rise, we must remember that we are not helpless.

And we should remember one simple, but fundamental, message: Don’t be alarmed. Be prepared.”