“We must get the balance right in saving lives and livelihoods. Let’s be vigilant and get vaccinated so that we can support our economy.”

Over the past week, we have learnt a lot, and are continuing to learn even more about the variant. Our scientists are studying the virus closely and I continue to urge them to do so as quickly as possible to guide us in terms of our response to the fourth wave and Omicron variant.

In response to the identification of the Omicron variant, numerous nations have placed travel bans on South Africa, placing significant pressure on our airports and as well as our local economy. I want to stress that we need to manage the variant, not apply unnecessary travel bans.

I strongly feel that the existing measures, such as proof of vaccination or a negative PCR test, are sufficient in preventing the spread of COVID-19 across international borders. The World Health Organisation has been clear that this is not the correct response by the international community.

We also need to be mindful of the jobs and livelihoods that will be lost by travel bans during our peak tourism season. The Quarterly Labour Force Survey data released this week demonstrates clearly just how badly we need the tourism and hospitality sector to create jobs over this peak season.

Yesterday, I engaged with the South African Chamber of Commerce UK where I stressed the impact of the travel bans on the province’s key industries, including the tourism and hospitality industries. During the engagement, I called for support in lobbying the UK government to remove South Africa from its red list.

I have also engaged with Consul Generals from our partner countries in Africa this week, during which we agreed that the measures against travelling to our region should be lifted and that research be conducted to guide our response to the pandemic.

To address the spillover consequences of the travel bans on our economy, Wesgro and the Provincial Minister of Finance and Economic Opportunities have been closely engaging with airports, businesses, tourism authorities, and business chambers. Minister Maynier has also been engaging with Consul Generals to assist holidaymakers and travelers to return home safely. Daily coordinating meetings are also being convened with relevant stakeholders on our response.

We are closely monitoring the impact that the red lists will have on our tourism and hospitality industries amid travel bans and are sharing frequently updated FAQs(link is external) on the impact of the red lists and where to get help.

The important thing to keep in mind at this time is that we must be vigilant, and should you not have already done so – get vaccinated. Doing so will protect yourself and those around you from severe illness and death – particularly those at higher risk of severe illness and death. Vaccinations are quick and easy and will likely take no longer than 30 minutes at any given vaccination site.

“We are officially in a resurgence, but absolute case numbers remain low.”

The Western Cape is now officially in a resurgence. This means that there has been a steep increase in cases, which is concerning, but case numbers remain relatively low. We know that we are in a resurgence because there has been an over 20% week-on-week percentage change in the 7-day moving average of new cases.

According to the South African COVID-19 Modelling Consortium’s short-term predictions, actual cases are higher than expected for the past week although case numbers are still relatively low. The Consortium is anticipating a very large increase in the absolute number of cases for the coming week.

As we enter a resurgence, we will continue to monitor the number of COVID-19 cases, hospital admissions and deaths in the province through the Provincial Department of Health.

Our healthcare platform shows us that across the province:

16 confirmed or sequenced Omicron cases have been identified in the Western Cape.

The Reproduction or “R” number is over 1 and has risen quickly.

We are now seeing clear increases in the number of daily new cases with on average 200 new diagnoses per day.

The proportion of positive COVID-19 tests has increased to an average of 8.2%.

Hospital admissions are showing signs of an early increase with 11 admissions per day.

COVID-19 related deaths remain low with under 2 deaths per day.

Insofar as our healthcare platform is concerned:

The Metro hospitals have an average bed occupancy rate of 91%; George drainage area hospitals at 61%; Paarl drainage area hospitals at 73% and Worcester drainage area hospitals at 77%. The critical care bed occupancy rate for designated COVID-19 beds for the province is at 13%.

COVID-19 and persons under investigation cases currently make up 3% of all available acute general hospital capacity in both Metro and Rural Regional Hospital drainage areas.

COVID-19 inter-mediate care: the Brackengate Hospital of Hope currently has 7 patients with a bed occupancy rate of 2%, Sonstraal and Freesia & Ward 99 currently have no patients.

While the Metro mass fatality centre has been closed, we are prepared to bring online more facilities, if and when this is necessary and are planning to reopen the Mitchells Plain Hospital of Hope.

“The Western Cape is prepared for a fourth wave and has established a 6-point resurgence plan and will monitor for a fourth wave closely”

In anticipation of a fourth wave, we have refined and created a resurgence plan according to predefined triggers to ensure that we have enough beds, staff, and oxygen to respond to another wave and is based on lessons learnt from previous waves. 

Amid the resurgence, we will continue to monitor the week-on-week percentage changes in new cases to ensure that our healthcare system can operate at the peak of the fourth wave.

The Western Cape’s 6-point resurgence plan aims to ensure:

Sustainable and affordable interventions based on current evidence.

Shift to indicators of health service pressure. This requires easy and reliable
indicators of health service pressure – as we have prepared.

Vaccination coverage remains the key intervention to mitigate the impact of the fourth wave on the health system. We will continue in our efforts to increase uptake.

Surveillance to guide the healthcare platform titration with the ability to respond quickly.

De-escalation, which hampers the provision of comprehensive services. We need to prevent a  negative impact on chronic disease care – ensuring that people with illnesses like TB, HIV/AIDs and Diabetes continue to get the treatment they need.

Vaccinations to safeguard healthcare workers’ wellbeing. This is critical to their healing and mental health following the impact of prior waves.

“We need to ensure that as many people as possible get vaccinated to prevent severe illness and death ahead of the fourth wave”

At this stage, there are no indications that the virus will impact the effectiveness of the vaccine. Getting vaccinated is our best weapon against severe illness and even death, which is why we strongly encourage those who are at the highest risk, including those 50 years and older to get vaccinated.

By 1 December 2021, the total number of individuals who are 18 years and older who have received at least one dose was 2 467 423 or 50% of the total adult population. Of that population, 2 134 080 or 43% have been fully vaccinated. The total number of children, aged between 12 – 17 Years, vaccinated to date stands at 65 645 or 10%.

In the last 24 hours alone, we have administered a total of 17 976 vaccines and over 4 million vaccines since the start of our vaccine programme.

I am concerned that the total number of unvaccinated persons in the province who are 18 years and older currently stands at 2 500 480 and strongly encourage those of you who have not yet done so to get vaccinated.

I also strongly encourage those working in the healthcare system who have not already done so to get their booster jab ahead of the fourth wave. By 1 December 2021, 45 736 healthcare workers in the Western Cape had already received their Johnson & Johnson booster dose, ensuring that they are fully immunised. Please also look out for list of Sisonke 2 sites which are open this weekend. Let’s play our part and get vaccinated.

“We have learnt a lot about Omicron but await further information. Let’s continue to remain calm but cautious and practice the behaviours we have learnt to stop the spread.”

While we know that there are positive cases of Omicron already detected in the Western Cape, this is not the time to panic. This is the time for us to continue practising the lifesaving measures that we have already learnt throughout the previous waves to stop the risk of infections.

What we know about the Omicron variant is that tests appear to work and detect positive cases and that there is evidence of a reinfection risk. What we require further empirical information on is whether it is more transmissible and the severity of the disease.

So let’s continue to:

Get vaccinated. We especially encourage those who are at higher risk to ensure that they get vaccinated as soon as possible.

Wear your mask correctly covering both your mouth and nose, especially if you are indoors. Make sure to dispose of or clean used masks immediately.

Maintain a safe social distance of at least 1.5 metres from others, particularly at schools, shopping malls, gatherings, and when travelling or using public transport.

Ensure that you have access to good ventilation. You can do so by avoiding confined spaces, going outdoors where possible, having engagements for shorter durations, and keeping your windows and doors open – where possible.

Stay home if you are sick and ensure that you self-quarantine if you have been in contact with someone who has tested positively for COVID-19.

Issued by Western Cape Provincial Government, 2 December 2021