- One of the reasons for the recent spike in cases in the Free State is because the province is close to five national roads.
- On Monday, the province recorded an additional 740 new cases.
- The Free State has since registered over 18 000 cases.
The Free State health department says a recent spike in cases can be attributed to various reasons, including the province’s proximity to five key national roads.
“We are a province in the middle of the country with five key national roads that criss-cross the country, namely N1, N3, N5, N6 and N8.
“Some of these passers-by unknowingly carry the virus and pass it through their interactions with the locals,” spokesperson Mondli Mvambi told News24 on Wednesday.
“We have imported cases and exported cases of Covid-19 and we would like to advise against anyone, from anywhere, who would be tempted to blame others for their infections,” he added.
The Free State recently saw a spike of 740 cases within 24 hours: It had 16 482 cases on Sunday and, the following day [Monday], the province recorded 17 222.
“It’s a myriad of reasons for the spike. The virus is indeed spreading fast. However, we also had a backlog of results in the NHLS system.
“The opening of schools and mines in the region of Fezile Dabi and Lejweleputswa have increased the number of positive cases and the viral spread of Covid-19,” he added.
READ | Covid-19: Free State fatalities surge as SA’s total death toll rises to 7 067
The health department has further urged its residents to take health advice by always protecting themselves against Covid-19 through social and physical distancing, regular hand washing using running water with soap, hand sanitising with 60% alcohol-based hand sanitiser, regular using of face cloth masks in public, the use of appropriate PPEs (personal protective equipment) by medical staff and those performing aerosol generating procedures.
As a result of the recent spike, the province is preparing should a surge take place in the province.
“The province is busy making plans for bigger numbers by recruiting more appropriate personnel, preparing more bed space, as well as isolation and quarantine facilities.
“We are always praying for the best, while planning and implementing clinical and infrastructure upgrades in preparation for the worst,” Mvambi concluded.
As of Tuesday, 28 July, the Free State had 18 134 cases, 2 178 recoveries and 154 deaths.
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