Zweli Mkhize: Adjusted level 3 allowed decline in COVID-19 numbers
Health Minister Zweli Mkhize says the adjusted level 3 regulations has allowed a slight decrease in COVID-19 numbers in some provinces.
He was speaking in Gauteng as he embarked on an oversight visit to the Steve Biko Academic Hospital and the Charlotte Maxeke Academic Hospital yesterday.
"KZN almost went higher where Gauteng was during the peak. It was quite unexpected but at the same time, we have seen in the past few days, a slight decline. That decline is a result of the movement of people, the migration of people away for the holidays."
He says Eastern Cape was saved by the fact that the lockdown came a bit earlier, now Gauteng is showing a slight trend downwards.
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"We are crossing our fingers because it is still too soon to know the impact of the people coming from all over."
Mkhize says the alcohol ban eased the burden in hospitals as irresponsible consumption tended to create unnecessary and avoidable accidents.
"The pressure on our health workers is so severe, that this time around it had to be done and we are saying we are still very high. So no one must suggest that if you think the numbers are going down, why don't you reduce the ban. We actually a peak too high so even the reduction has not reached the peak we did in July."
