Zikalala: KZN has entered third Covid-19 wave
KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sihle Zikalala says the province has officially entered the third wave of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Zikalala briefed the media on Sunday amid an exponential increase in the number of infections in the province.
The province recorded 3 445 new cases in the past 24 hours.
Zikalala said the surge in cases was driven by the recent violence and looting in the province.
“The province has for the past three consecutive days, recorded more than 3000 new cases, and is reporting the second-highest number of daily confirmed cases.
“Our third wave appears to be due to the sustained increase in the rate of new infections. The surge in cases appears to have been driven, in the main, by the recent large gatherings by people engaging in looting and destruction of property and an increase in interprovincial travel and large gatherings at pubs and restaurants.”
Zikalala said the province has also recorded an increase in cluster cases driven by schools.
“We have also noted an increase in cluster cases, with schools emerging as the biggest contributor in this regard. In fact, more than 120 schools have reported clusters in their school settings and more than 800 learners and teachers have been affected. Learners make up at least 95% of this number, while educators account for the remaining 5%.”
The province has notably seen an increase in the number of Covid-19 related deaths with a 16% increase compared to the week before.
