POLITICS

Hospitalisations and deaths continue to show a decline in WCape – Alan Winde

Premier says only 18 deaths were recorded over past 48 hours

Media Release: Update on the coronavirus by Premier Alan Winde

23 August 2020

As of 1pm on 23 August, the Western Cape has 5203 active cases of COVID-19, with a total of 102 585 confirmed cases and 93 656  recoveries.

Total confirmed COVID-19 cases

102 585

Total recoveries

93 656

Total deaths

3726

Total active cases (currently infected patients)

5203

Tests conducted

469 498

Hospitalisations

1032 with 207 in ICU or high care

Cape Metro Sub-districts:

 Sub-district

Cases

 

Recoveries

Western

8971

 8270

Southern

9249

 8417

Northern

6379

 5948

Tygerberg

12897

 11960

Eastern

9736

 8943

Klipfontein

8888

 8086

Mitchells Plain

8250

 7636

Khayelitsha

8096

 7565

Total

72466

66825

Sub-districts:

 District

 Sub-district

Cases

Recoveries

Garden Route

Bitou

554

488

Garden Route

Knysna

1325

1164

Garden Route

George

3224

2850

Garden Route

Hessequa

268

208

Garden Route

Kannaland

99

72

Garden Route

Mossel Bay

2041

1735

Garden Route

Oudsthoorn

1047

711

Cape Winelands

Stellenbosch

1972

1830

Cape Winelands

Drakenstein

4162

3816

Cape Winelands

Breede Valley

3206

2919

Cape Winelands

Langeberg

1104

999

Cape Winelands

Witzenberg

1485

1320

Overberg

Overstrand

1492

1431

Overberg

Cape Agulhas

256

226

Overberg

Swellendam

267

242

Overberg

Theewaterskloof

1126

1040

West Coast

Bergrivier

398

358

West Coast

Cederberg

154

137

West Coast 

Matzikama

317

252

West Coast

Saldanha Bay Municipality

1316

1208

West Coast

Swartland

1442

1291

Central Karoo

Beaufort West

467

337

Central Karoo

Laingsburg

122

65

Central Karoo

Prince Albert

15

10

Unallocated: 2260 (2122 recovered)

Data note: It is not always possible to check and verify that the address data supplied for each new recorded case is correct, within the time frames required to provide regular and timely updates. This means that in some instances, cases could be allocated to the wrong sub-districts. We are working with the sub-districts to clean and verify the data and where errors are picked up locally, cases will be re-allocated to the correct areas. 

More data is available here: https://coronavirus.westerncape.gov.za/covid-19-dashboard

*Due to the unavailability of data yesterday- the deaths being reported today are for a 48 hour period.

Over the past 48 hours, the Western Cape has recorded an additional 18 deaths, bringing the total number of COVID-19 related deaths in the province to 3726. We send our condolences to their family and friends at this time.

Hospitalisations and deaths continue to show a decline in the Western Cape:

I am pleased to note that hospitalisations in the province continue to show a decline. The total number hospitalised for COVID-19 is now below the 1100 mark, while our ICU admissions are very close to the 200 mark. Another positive sign is that the number of deaths recorded in the province continues to track downwards- with just 18 deaths recorded over a two day period. While every death we record is still one too many, it is heartening to see the numbers showing a steady decline. 

The Western Cape Department of Health has been working hard to ensure that the data we present to the public is as accurate as possible. As part of this process, we have been working closely with the NHLS, and from time to time, we will adjust data as new information comes to light.  Today, we have removed some duplicated cases which were incorrectly added into the system last week, resulting in the number of new cases recorded since Friday appearing lower than usual. 

Despite this adjustment, all of our reliable indicators, such as our hospital and death data, continue to indicate that we are continuing to make progress in slowing the spread of COVID-19 in the province.

For this, I would like to thank every single resident who has played their part in helping to slow the spread. Each time you leave home with your mask on, keep your distance from others and wash or sanitize your hands, you are helping to reduce the number of new infections and save lives. 

This weekend was the first weekend under the new alert level 2 restrictions and as more of our businesses start to open up, as people start to move around more, see their families and interact with others more, it remains important that we all continue to take precautions to protect ourselves, our loved ones and those who are most vulnerable to becoming seriously ill with COVID-19. 

If we all continue to act responsibly, we can ensure that businesses can continue trading safely, and that we are able to save important jobs. Many people have been severely impacted by the hard lockdown and our focus must now be on addressing unemployment, hunger and poverty while reducing the numbers of new COVID-19 infections in our province.

Issued by Western Cape Office of the Premier, 23 August 2020