Coronavirus cases rose by nearly 3,000 in Gauteng over the weekend.
By Saturday, 2,941 more cases had been reported than Friday. The total confirmed cases stood at 34,285, with 8,580 people recovering from Covid-19, and 166 deaths.
This has drastically increased the demand for oxygen and ventilators, the Gauteng Department of Health said in a statement.
“As more cases of Covid-19 are reported, the number of hospital admissions for critical patients has also increased. This puts more pressure on the available fans and oxygen supply, ”the statement says.
#Covid19SA || The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Gauteng as at 27 June 2020 sits at 34 285, with 8580 recoveries and 166 deaths. #GrowingGautengTogether pic.twitter.com/xMQhXMaYKw
— Gauteng Health (@GautengHealth) June 28, 2020
Of Gauteng’s five districts, Johannesburg is hit hardest. By Saturday, there were already 16,712 positive cases and 84 deaths. Ekurhuleni is second, with a total of 7,196 cases and 33 deaths, while Tshwane has 5,381 cases and 21 deaths.
On the West Rand, there are now 2,247 virus cases and 12 deaths, while by Saturday Sedibeng reported a total of 1,207 cases and 16 deaths.
In addition, there are 1 542 cases still to be assigned per district, the province says.
The parts of each affected district, with cases falling every time, are Doornkop, Soweto, Dobsonville and Protea Glen (3 082) as well as the city center (3 886).
In the Pretoria area, the virus has so far spread the fastest in Atteridgeville, Laudium, the city center, Hercules, Danville, Saulsville, Lotus as well as in the west (1 829).
In Ekurhuleni, 3 488 cases were reported in the north of the district and 1 736 in the south.
Krugersdorp has 1 072 cases so far and Emfuleni in Sedibeng 860.
According to the department, new measures have been put in place so that references to isolation and quarantine facilities can be made faster. More places are also being made available for this.
The department also continues to procure as many fans and oxygen equipment as possible to meet growing demand.
Gauteng Prime Minister David Makhura said in his provincial feedback on the pandemic on Thursday that 8,730 beds are available in Gauteng’s private and state hospitals.
Provision is made for another 1,557 beds in temporary facilities in the dr. George Mukhari, Chris Hani Baragwanath and Ashanti Gold Hospital.
