By Raphael Oni
President Cyril Ramaphosa announced on Monday night that the country would stay on adjusted level three lockdown due to coronavirus.
The president briefed the nation on Monday after holding meetings with the National Coronavirus Command Council and the Cabinet.
The country has seen 4,600 COVID related deaths since the start of this year alone.
He moved South Africa to this level last month, saying it would last until 15 January. This, along with the state of disaster, was extended.
“There are currently over 15,000 people with COVID-19 in hospitals nationally, placing a considerable strain on health facilities, personnel and equipment. Around a third of all COVID-19 patients in hospitals are on oxygen.”
He said the province with the highest average number of cases was KwaZulu-Natal (KZN).
“New infections in KZN and the Western Cape have grown fast and have now far exceeded the peak during the first wave. Infections in Gauteng are growing exponentially and are expected to increase further as more residents of Gauteng return to the province following the festive break.”
The president once again reminded the nation that attending funerals in large numbers made them super spreader events.
The sale of alcohol would still be banned under level three lockdown.
