Update on the coronavirus by Premier Alan Winde

11 December 2020

As of 1pm on 11 December, the Western Cape has 19 263 active Covid-19 infections with a total of 148 768 confirmed Covid-19 cases and 124 500 recoveries.

The Western Cape has recorded 35 additional deaths, bringing the total number of COVID-19 related deaths in the province to 5005. We send our condolences to their loved ones at this time.

Please note that going forward, the reporting format of this statement will no longer feature the sub-district data tables. This data is still contained in the attached maps and is available on our data dashboard which is updated daily.

The dashboard also features additional data including active cases per sub-district, active cases per 100 000 and 7-day moving averages. Access the data dashboard here: https://coronavirus.westerncape.gov.za/covid-19-dashboard

Working together to save lives:

Sadly, the Western Cape topped 5000 Covid-19 deaths today. Since we recorded our first death on 27 March this year, 5005 people have succumbed to this virus.

With new statistics being released globally, nationally and locally each day, it is easy to get lost in the numbers and lose sight of the human impact of this virus.

Each of these people started 2020 with plans, dreams and aspirations, and each of them leave behind family members, loved ones, friends and colleagues who have been devastated by this loss.

Among these 5000 were parents, siblings, partners, husbands, wives , friends, grandparents. The number includes breadwinners, caregivers, people who have contributed to this province and their communities for years, and others who were just starting to build their lives and their careers.

Although the elderly are most at risk of severe COVID-19, more than 40% of our deaths have been in people younger than 60.  This includes more than 120 people younger than 30, almost 900 people aged between 30 and 50 and over 1000 people aged 50 to 59.

Our health services have also been deeply affected. In this International Year of the Nurse and Midwife, we have lost 67 healthcare workers, a third of whom are nurses.

We send our deepest condolences to the family, friends and loved ones of each one of these 5005 people. 

As a province, we have worked around the clock to put in place life saving measures to reduce the numbers of people who are severely affected by Covid-19. We have built field hospitals to ensure that everyone receives appropriate care, we implemented high flow nasal oxygen as a treatment method and have put in place the VECTOR project which has had a significant impact in reducing the risks of Covid-19 for diabetics in the province.

While these interventions have saved lives- the best way to save lives is to slow the spread of Covid-19 in the province and reduce the number of people who contract it in the first place.

These deaths are sober reminder that we should all be doing more to protect ourselves and our loved ones from this virus. Our behaviour now and over this festive season can ensure that we save lives.

Wear a mask. Wash your hands regularly. Practice social distancing and avoid the three 3C's- crowded places, confined spaces and close contact. Celebrate responsibly- keep your gatherings small and take them outside where the risk of infection is lower. I also call on people to drink responsibly. Alcohol related trauma has a severe impact on our ability to render appropriate care to everyone who needs it- whether it be for Covid-19 or for other serious illnesses. 

Issued by Western Cape Office of the Premier, 11 December 2020