NELSON MANDELA BAY - NEW STATS SHOW NELSON MANDELA BAY NOW HAS 8 COVID-19 HOTSPOT AREAS OF CONCERN

An alarming number of COVID-19 positive cases has been recorded in Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality with more than 2500 active cases recorded as at 1 November 2020.

New statistics show that currently the City has eight COVID-19 hotspots led by Motherwell with 416 active cases. In Uitenhage 319 cases have been recorded, KwaZakhele has 137 cases, KwaNobuhle has 133 cases, Walmer has 132, Bethelsdorp follows with 128, in Zwide there are 104 cases and Despatch has 102 cases.

Acting Mayor Cllr Thsonono Buyeye said there was an active case in every ward in the City, making up a total of 2513 active cases.

“As at 1 November 2020, the total number of deaths due to COVID-19 stood at 1189. This is very concerning for us. We are working very closely with the Provincial Government to find ways around this crisis. Not so long ago the numbers were so low that we even closed our NMB stadium as we could not justify keeping it open anymore as an isolation facility but now these numbers are increasing again and it is clear that something needs to be done fast,” said Mayor Buyeye.

NMBM Disaster Management Chairperson Shane Brown said the City was doing its utmost best to ensure the numbers decline again, working with all the stakeholders.

He said: “SAPS and the Metro Police successfully closed down on some non-complying establishments where residents gathered over the weekend. The Department of Labour is busy investigating if businesses, shopping malls and even the Municipality are complying with the regulations as they have compliance inspectors for such establishments.”

“Perhaps we need to remind residents that actually between 12midnight and 4am there is still a curfew in line with Alert Level 1 COVID-19 regulations. We are now pleading with residents to please wear their masks at all times, wash their hands regularly, and keep to a social distancing. We do not want a harder lockdown but if this trend persists, we might be heading that direction to save lives.”

via - NMBM