Health MEC Madoda Sambatha confirms that the deaths have been mainly attributed to, amongst others, pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, acute respiratory distress syndrome, cardiac failure and severe pancreatitis. 

This follows the sudden increase in the number of deaths in the province which skyrocketed to 36 in the past few weeks. 

Sambatha on Thursday further confirmed that on 2 July the province was standing at 7 deaths then suddenly climbed to 36 confirmed deaths on 3 July. This drew a hysterical shock from residents who raised their concerns about the high number of cases and deaths, however, Sambatha explained that each case has to be thoroughly investigated before it can be reported.  

“While the province has known of certain deaths which were suspected to be Covid-19 related, such cases had to go through the process of verification before they could be reported for inclusion in the National Institute of Communicable Disease (NICD) database and be reported by the Minister,” he adds.

He added that other common co-morbidities include diabetes, hypertension and obesity. The province has recorded over 700 cases in the last 24 hours and no further deaths has been reported yet.

The province has once again reiterated that its Covid-19 positive cases are largely located within the mining communities with “Bojanala standing at 4797, Dr Kenneth Kaunda 1788, Ngaka Modiri Molema 428 and Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati at 113. The mining Sub-Districts take the bulk of cases with Rustenburg at 4194 and Matlosana at 1277.”

Meanwhile, residents in the province have been issued with a red alert during the sharp increase in the number of positive cases and deaths. MEC Sambatha further warned them to abide by Covid-19 regulations by keeping social distancing, wearing masks, sanitising and avoiding unnecessary travel.

OFM News