Members of the Executive Council
Heads of Department
Members of the media
Ladies and gentlemen,
I want to express my appreciation to everyone that is joining us this morning. It is the holiday season and we are all in a festive spirit but unfortunately the work of Government must continue and we rely on the media as our partners to get the news out to all our people.
As you are well aware, we are now faced with a different challenge, namely the fast spreading Omicron Variant of Covid19. As the Northern Cape Provincial Government, we reaffirm our commitment to strengthen all forms of primary health care and emergency medical services in response to health related incidences and in the worst case, fatalities.
Our priority is to ensure that all health services which are at the coal-face of service delivery, are dependable and available to communities at all reasonable times.
We would therefore like to thank our staff from team Health for their continued diligence and commitment to ensure that we lower the rate of Covid-19 transmissions and ultimately flatten the curve.
On COVID-19 Epidemiology
South Africa has surpassed the 3 million mark in terms of total cumulative COVID-19 cases since the start of the pandemic last year. The Delta variant dominated the country’s third wave with less than 80% frequency in October but as recently as 8th November 2021, South Africa identified a new variant, which is more transmissible, termed “Omicron”.
So far Omicron has been detected in 56 countries across the globe (detections based on the Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data - GISAID) and appears to dominate the November sequencing data, although sequencing is ongoing to determine its prevalence. However, early data suggests that symptoms from this new variant appear to be milder, hence fewer hospital admissions and lower fatality rates.
The Northern Cape is currently sitting at position 6 in ranking provinces per capita (taking into account population size). In the previous week (05 - 11 December 2021), 109 053 new infections were reported across the country. Northern Cape accounts for 0, 9% of the country’s cases and has the second lowest incidence rate (per capita) after Eastern Cape.
Since the start of the pandemic of Covid-19, a cumulative total of 98 137 confirmed cases have been reported in the Province as of 19th December 2021. The Province experienced a prolonged third wave which lasted for 24 weeks, resulting in an additional 54 000 new cases during this period. The impact of the disease for the Province was felt in all our communities, where 1 361 more deaths (related to Covid-19 complications) were recorded, and this was significantly higher than the first and second wave.
At the end of the Third Wave, Northern Cape registered the lowest levels of daily infections last seen during the start of the pandemic, where on daily average 39 new infections were recorded compared to 321 during the peak period of the past wave. The Province has been in the post-wave period for nine weeks before experiencing a resurgence.
South Africa has been officially declared to have entered into the Fourth Wave due to the substantially high infections recorded in the past few weeks.
The Northern Cape’s average positivity rate stands at 44.4%, which means that every second person tested is positive. As a Province, we are officially in the Fourth Wave with Frances Baard, John Taolo Gaetsewe, ZF Mgcawu and Pixley Ka Seme Districts experiencing increases in Covid-19 cases. All our regions are in the Fourth Wave except the Namakwa District.
It should be noted that we are anticipating a further increase in infections as we enter the festive season, due to anticipated increase in mobility between districts and provinces, and more festive events. We must emphasize that this can be averted through strict adherence to elementary COVID-19 measures aimed at mitigating the spread.
Due to the dedication and commitment of our Health officials, 7077 Covid-19 tests were conducted in the last 7 days. This is an increase from 5100 the previous week. To date, a total number of 532 482 Covid-19 tests have been conducted at a cost of R271 565 820.
Currently our recovery rate for the Province stands at 93% (90 693) and we now have in excess of 5000 active cases. Previously we had about 1000 active cases on average, which was a huge drop compared to the Third Wave where at some point we had about 10 000 active cases.
The increase in the last week is an accelerated surge which translates to an average of 411 daily cases in the last 7 days compared to the 135 average daily cases in the preceding 7 days. This is a 304% increase comparatively. Two weeks ago our average daily cases were 55 new cases per day.
Members of the media
The Northern Cape Department of Health is currently piloting innovative interventions to improve the management, support and monitoring of our ICU patients through a partnership with the University of Fort Hare. This programme is known as the E-ICU programme where specialist clinicians can support local clinicians remotely by giving support and guidance to improve health outcomes of our Covid-19 patients.
Preparation for the Fourth Wave
In order to mitigate the impact and spread of the disease among our people, the Province has revised and developed its Fourth Wave Resurgence Plan, which is already in its implementation phase. The interventions cover various work streams that have been grouped into: governance and leadership, epidemiology and response, clinical care pathways, human resources, vaccination roll-out, and continuity of essential services.
During the period of low transmission, our Provincial Health Team together with the World Health Organization, National Department of Health, the DG Murray Trust and Right to Care have been working together to ensure that any lessons learnt are addressed prior to the start of the 4th Wave.
Provincial COVID-19 Bed and Oxygen Capacity
The Province has approximately 3038 Covid-19 dedicated beds between public and private facilities and to date only 11% of these were occupied. However, with a projected slight increase in cases, it is anticipated that a marginal increase in bed occupancy is possible though the impact of vaccination has affected low admission rates.
In terms of the age groups, there are fewer older people (70 years and older) being admitted compared to the 1st and 2nd waves. Among the current admitted patients in our facilities, 43.8% of these are in the younger age groups (20 – 49 years).
The length of stay in our facilities has also shortened, where currently is averaging at 5 days stay in a hospital, further emphasizing that the pressure in our facilities will be manageable. We also have forty-six (46) ICU beds immediately available in the province, and these can be increased to 120, at any given time.
Despite a sustained increased in the incidence, the number of new hospital admissions remains relatively low compared to the previous three waves; however, there’s a steady increase in admissions. In terms of age analysis, older age groups have stabilized while most cases are in the age group 40 – 59 years.
Furthermore, total admissions since the start of the pandemic has surpassed the 10 000 mark with 48 patients newly admitted over the last week. Most patients admitted in Frances Baard (62.5% of total new admissions) are as a result of the alarming increase in incidence. There were 2 deaths recorded (18 December 2021), across the Province with the total cumulative deaths standing at 2 440. Our hospitals have not reported any alarming increase or related pressures, and most importantly, there are fewer patients requiring to be ventilated or oxygenated.
All hospitals have additional oxygen tanks or cylinders and high flow oxygen capacity has been increased. The department established a provincial health team focusing on oxygen availability to ensure that all infrastructure, supply and equipment match the demand of oxygen on the ground.
As part of our first phase of the Provincial Oxygen project, 20 of our facilities have been completed. The second phase is currently underway and to date 14 of the 20 facilities have been completed.
The cost of this project to date is already exceeding R50 million as part of our investment to improve the care and health outcomes of our patients.
Furthermore, as part of our commitment to Healthcare, we have 308 Community Service and interns starting on the 1st January 2022 at a carry through cost of Two Hundred and Seven Million Three Hundred and Forty Thousand Rand (207 340 000). The Northern Cape Department of Health is currently piloting innovative interventions to improve the management, support and monitoring of our ICU patients through a partnership with the University of Fort Hare to pilot the implementation of the E-ICU programme
On Vaccination Rollout
From the 1.29 million people population estimates, our overall target for vaccination in the province stands at 986 444 (including the 12 years and older). This figure entails that the Northern Cape is expected to vaccinate 690 510 (70%) from the 986 444 people aged 12 and older, in order to achieve herd immunity.
By 19 December 2021, the Province had administered a total of 575 740 vaccine doses to qualifying people (i.e. 12 years and older), since the start of the vaccination programme on 17th February 2021. We achieved 59% of the 70% target for the NC (received at least one dose (over 12 year olds).
There are 9 456 healthcare workers eligible to be vaccinated under Sisonke II and 4 236 have been vaccinated for the booster jab to date. We are now offering Pfizer booster doses as approved by SAPHRA to children aged 12 to 17 years.
The province has adopted a multipronged approach to achieve its objective of complete coverage on vaccination into regular primary health care services, and community based vaccination drives.
In early January 2022 as part of strengthening our Vaccine Rollout in the province we will be distributing 130 vaccine fridges, 444 Vaccine Cold Boxes as well as 280 temperature monitoring devices. In addition to this we will also be distributing an additional 67 laptops and 92 tablets to improve the efficiency of our vaccine sites across the province.
On average we are running 133 Vaccination points across the province in an effort to increase access to the vaccine for our communities. We want to strongly encourage our communities to make use of this to get your jab to help to safeguard yourself and your loved ones against the devastating effects of COVID-19.
We appreciate the collaborations with Red Cross, HCT Mobile, GCIS, Lovelife, Lifeline, UNICEF Mobilization truck, DGMT and other NGO’s assisting with Vaccination Registration Awareness Campaigns across the province.
As the Provincial Government of the Northern Cape, we will spare no effort in improving, customizing and implementing timely interventions as per the policy imperatives on the management of COVID-19.
On Road Safety
Involved in Safer Festive Season Operations will be strategic and multi-disciplinary networks and strategies tailor-made for this time of the year, in addition to your more traditional, well-oiled road law enforcement procedures.
Our broad Operational Plan and Road Safety Education Operations demands all Law Enforcement Officers and stakeholders must be on the roads to ensure we achieve reductions in fatalities and accidents, as always, with a zero tolerance approach. Our Plan is based on the approved National Road Safety Strategy.
We can confirm that our fatal crashes are caused mainly by human factors. Some of these are driving under the influence of alcohol, speeding, using a cellphone whilst operating a vehicle, failure to wear seatbelts, dangerous and negligent overtaking, vehicles not fit to be operated on a public road, pedestrian negligence, fatigue, vehicle overloading and jay walking.
Through our trend analysis we see that fatalities occur mainly amongst young people which are a standing concern. We need to find ways of promoting and inspiring higher levels of road responsibility and to inculcate a culture of overall responsibility in young people.
We may have seen, from last year, a marginal decrease in fatal crashes and fatalities, but our aim is to move ever closer to a crash free season.
In terms of our call for vigilance, we ask members of the public to be on special high alert when driving on a Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Our most accident prone times are between 16:00 pm to 02:00 am. Vehicles commonly involved in accidents are light delivery vehicles and mini bus taxis. Our most common issues are tyre bursts, failed brakes and passenger overloading.
Although the Northern Cape accident statistics are consistently lower than the national average, we need to consciously drive operations in such a manner that we achieve consistently lower number of crashes and fatalities every year.
On Community Safety
We have been called upon to extend our reach through blue light visibility. The only way to do that is to get our SAPS members out there in numbers and for them to go beyond the call of duty to address escalating levels of crime that characterises the festive season.
As our members in blue move out, we remind them to heed the call of Government to prioritise the protection of women, children and members of the LGBTIQIA community. Our efforts at fighting Gender Based Violence must ensure that our vulnerable people are safe, respected and protected. This is especially so for those officers who work at service points and are assigned to victim Friendly.
This year, again, we are balancing our crime prevention and crime fighting with the enforcement of Covid-19 regulations. The focus will continue be on visibility.
Government identified 6 key priorities that will be prioritised;
- Gender Based Violence
- Money related crimes
- Border security operations
- Enforcement on legislation of the proliferation of firearms
- Enforcement of legislation applicable to liquor
- Strengthening law enforcement partnerships
We are grateful for the continued, sustained, brave contributions of every member in blue and support the administrative staff of SAPS. We, as always, appreciate your willingness and acceptance of duty and express our gratitude to your families who are allowing you to work during festive periods.
As we conclude; we encourage members of the public to continue adhering to key non-pharmaceutical interventions by maintaining physical distancing, wearing of face masks over the mouth and nose, washing of hands with soap or alcohol based sanitizer, and avoiding large gatherings. This is particularly important as the Omicron variant appears to be predominantly air-borne and transmits much faster than the other variants.
We further call upon all people aged 12 years and older, to get vaccinated before they go on holiday, travel, socialise, and head home to be with their families.
It’s a time when we look forward to unwind and spend time with our loved ones. In doing so I plead that you enjoy all your festivities and celebrations responsibly and within reasonable limits.
I herewith, on behalf of The Provincial Government of the Northern Cape, wish all citizens and visitors a merry, joyous and safe Christmas.
Remember, buckle up, wear your mask, keep a safe distance from one another and in your vehicles and do not drink and drive. Enjoy responsibly
I thank you