NELSON MANDELA BAY - BHANGA APPLAUDS VACCINATION ROLLOUT BUT WORRIED ABOUT RISING HOSPITAL ADMISSIONS

With the COVID-19 active cases in Nelson Mandela Bay remaining over the 2000 mark, public and private hospitals have reported an increase in patient admissions across the City, with a total of 333 patients admitted in hospitals as at 12 July 2021.

NMBM Executive Mayor, Cllr Nqaba Bhanga said it was worrisome that the City’s active cases had not decreased significantly, with Walmer, Gelvandale, Bloemendal, Lorraine and Schauderville remaining the hotspot areas in the City.

“The active cases in our City as at 12 July 2021 stood at 2162, there were 211 new cases reported and seven new deaths reported in the last 24 hours. During the COVID-19 Joint Operating Centre (JOC) meeting today, the hospitals have painted a bleak picture that the admissions are increasing, which means people are not only getting infected, but they are also getting sick and being admitted in hospitals because of COVID-19,” he said.

A total of 251 patients were admitted at the private hospitals while 82 were admitted in the public hospitals on Monday, with 70 patients admitted in Intensive Care Units.

“Our private hospitals have most of the ICU admissions; with 67 patients admitted in their facilities and three in public hospitals. The third wave in our City is showing us once again, that COVID-19 does not discriminate along racial or economic lines. We are seeing most cases in the affluent areas and as stated by the provincial Department of Health, more hospital admissions are in the private hospitals.

“We are appealing to our residents to change their behaviour around COVID-19. The virus is moved around by people and we have seen this in the age groups that are mostly infected right now. The 15-19 year-olds have surpassed the 100 mark with infections, while the 35-39 year-olds have recorded the highest infections with 231 cases. They are followed closely by the 30-34 year olds at 229 and 45-49 year-olds with 210 cases. These age groups are the most mobile and economically active, we understand it might be people who go to work and shopping malls, which further tells us that we are all at risk and must self regulate now more than ever,” said Mayor Bhanga.

The Mayor has also urged eligible residents to register and vaccinate as more age groups were now allowed to do so.

“We are encouraged by the vaccination rollout in our City. We are calling on more eligible people to go for vaccination, it is the only way we can get back to normality. My age group, between 35 to 49 years will soon be eligible for vaccination, I will register and when the time comes, I will join the thousands of our people that will take the vaccine,” he said.

Vaccination sites are open to residents who are 50 years and above to get vaccinated, and walk ins are welcome. Residents between the age of 35-49 will be allowed to register from 15 July 2021 and their vaccination will commence on 1 August 2021.

NMBM