Eastern Cape premier Oscar Mabuyane says they are reaching a point where tough decisions will have to be made regarding funerals, in order to try to control the spread of Coronavirus.<\/p>\n
\u201c[We\u2019re at a point] where we\u2019re no longer talking about 50 [mourners] attending, but where people will be buried by their children or siblings — we\u2019re reaching that point,\u201d the premier said on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
Mabuyane said they have received complaints from funeral parlours feeling overwhelmed about the situation that the province is facing.<\/p>\n
As of Monday, the province remained the third worst hit province, with 38,081 Covid-19 cases and the second highest provincial death toll, with 528 deceased.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re now really facing the eye of the storm. It\u2019s no longer about the issue of the peak. We\u2019re now there in the middle of a crisis,\u201d the premier said.<\/p>\n
Mabuyane said a risk-adjusted, differentiated approach must be implemented to rescue the province.<\/p>\n
Together with this, primary health education and awareness campaigns will have to be amplified in efforts to slow the spread of the disease.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe know that the Eastern Cape is the most vulnerable province. We know the health profile of our people, how risky the situation is. That\u2019s why we believe in preventative measures.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are still other people who believe there\u2019s no COVID-19 and those who using their Constitutional Rights to say, \u2018I can\u2019t be isolated or quarantined\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n
He said all their life-saving sites have never been full to capacity and still have extra beds.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019ve been running below 50% and that\u2019s why we\u2019re asking people to voluntarily come forward and isolate themselves.\u201d<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, those isolating at home should take full responsibility, the premier pleaded.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou can\u2019t be loitering when your doctor has condemned you to be at home for that particular period and if [you] don\u2019t, [you\u2019re] engaging in culpable homicide unintentionally.\u201d<\/p>\n
The premier has asked the people to work together with government to fight the pandemic.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s about being patriotic; we have a country and a future to protect.\u201d<\/p>\n
He believes that it is not going to be easy to introduce lower alert levels as government tries to save lives, while preserving people\u2019s livelihood.<\/p>\n
Mabuyane said they have many cases of people who die in their homes before they reach the hospital, especially in rural areas.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are saying people must be tested, even if it\u2019s posthumous, to ensure we protect those who are left behind.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Eastern Cape is currently recording the second highest daily infections after Gauteng, which records about 3,000 day-to-day.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis shows that this infection is galloping,\u201d Mabuyane said, adding that people should stay at home to avoid spreading the disease.<\/p>\n
Corruption will not be tolerated<\/strong><\/p>\n Meanwhile, the province is dealing with alleged corruption after a company claimed R4.8 million from the OR Tambo District Municipality in the so-called door-to-door Covid-19 campaign.<\/p>\n According to reports, the company claimed its employees had spoken to 6 400 people, while some residents said no one visited their homes.<\/p>\n \u201cWe were not surprised at all when it happened because we knew there would be chance takers who\u2019d use this pandemic to get rich quick,\u201d the premier said.<\/p>\n He has now written to President Cyril Ramaphosa asking for the Special Investigating Unit\u00a0to intervene, while the Departments of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs and Treasury are busy with the preliminary investigations.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve never heard about door-to-door campaigns where people are paid.”<\/p>\n He has applauded the whistleblowers for lifting the lid on this matter.<\/p>\n Grade R learners to go back in August<\/strong><\/p>\n The Eastern Cape announced over the weekend that Grades 3, 6 and 11 will now reopen on 20 July due to the spike in the number of Covid-19 infections.<\/p>\n Mabuyane said Grade R learners will only return to the classroom on 17 August, as they do not want to endanger lives.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re at high risk in the Eastern Cape because that\u2019s where you get all these grandchildren staying with their grandparents.<\/p>\n “If these young people are contracting this virus at school, it will be more dangerous for their grandparents at home, especially in the rural areas.\u201d<\/p>\n
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