As at 1pm on 9 September 2021, the Western Cape had 21 559 active COVID-19 infections, with a total number 507 254 COVID-19 cases to date and 466 737 recoveries.  

By 5pm on 8 September 2021, the Western Cape Government had administered a cumulative total of 2 325 125 vaccines to healthcare workers, staff in the education sector and those within eligible age brackets.

The current 7-day moving average is 65 deaths per day. 

Additional data is available on the Western Cape COVID-19 data dashboard which also features active cases per sub-district, active cases per 100 000 and 7-day moving averages. To view the Dashboard, visit: https://coronavirus.westerncape.gov.za/covid-19-dashboard(link is external) 

You can also view the Western Cape Government’s vaccine registration dashboard by visiting: https://coronavirus.westerncape.gov.za/vaccine-dashboard(link is external)  

We have exited the peak and are on track to exit the third wave too 

During my weekly digital press conference today, it was highlighted that we have exited the peak of the third wave, and all indicators show us that we are coming off the wave and that we are on track to exit it too.

There is currently a 37% decrease in new cases compared to the previous week for the province. While this is a positive sign, we are not yet out of the woods as active cases remain high. We must continue to be vigilant and play our part in breaking the chain of transmission.   

Insofar as our acute service platform is concerned:  

Currently, there are 2819 COVID-19 patients in our acute hospitals (1568 in public hospitals and 1251 in private hospitals). This excludes persons under investigation and cases in a specialised hospital setting.

The Metro hospitals have an average bed occupancy rate of 92%; George drainage area hospitals at 64%; Paarl drainage area hospitals at 78% and Worcester drainage area hospitals at 71%. The critical care bed occupancy rate for the province is 91%.

COVID-19 and persons under investigation cases currently make up 22% 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 192 patients or 57.14% of its bed usage rate, Mitchells Plain Hospital of Hope has 97 clients or 62.9% of its bed usage rate and Sonstraal currently has 51 clients or 85% of its bed usage rate. We have not needed to use our additional bed capacity at Freesia and Ward 99.

The Metro mass fatality centre has the capacity for 240 bodies, it currently has 18 decedents admitted. The overall capacity has been successfully managed across the province and the mass fatality centre will close on 30 September.

Issued by Western Cape Office of the Premier, 10 September 2021