Despite the coronavirus plateaus in three provinces and dexamethasone dramatically improving ICU survival rates, Health Minister Zweli Mkhize has warned that South Africa could face a second wave of infections if people fail to stick to social distancing rules.
People should continue to wear masks, avoid large gatherings and maintain hand hygiene if the government was to ease restrictions on movement between provinces and free up more economic activity, he is quoted in Business Day as saying.
South Africa has the world’s fifth highest number of recorded cases of COVID-19.
Several indicators, including the seven-day rolling average of new cases, hospital admissions and the number of severely ill people presenting at hospitals with possible COVID-19, showed that Western Cape, Gauteng and Eastern Cape had surged and plateaued, said the minister.
But it was too soon to draw firm conclusions about whether infections in these provinces were declining. “The indications are that the containment measures are beginning to bear fruit and we may be over the peak by some time in August. But if we don’t insist on social distancing and masks, we can have a second surge,” he is quoted in a report as saying.
South Africa has benefitted from various treatment developments that have led to a reduction in the mortality rate, reports News24. "It appears we may have benefitted from treatment developments as we were experiencing our surge," Health Minister Zweli Mkhize said.
"Our indications are that there has already been an improvement in the survival rate from intensive care units (ICU), where the mortality has been reduced demonstrably. One study shows ICU mortality has been reduced by about 25% since the introduction of dexamethasone on 16 June," Mkhize said.
According to the report, the South African Medical Research Council said the ICU survival rates showed a dramatic improvement at 30% to 40%, whereas the ICU mortality rate at the beginning of the pandemic was around 80%. In its assessment on the availability of beds, oxygen and staff, the Health Department said it has not breached its bed capacity and continues to fill vacancies where there are gaps.
While government is coping with the surge in infections, the department has directed all provinces to enter into service level agreements with private health facilities to ensure that when bed shortages are experienced, alternatives can be explored.
[link url="https://www.businesslive.co.za/bd/national/health/2020-08-05-sa-risks-a-second-coronavirus-wave-warns-health-minister/?utm_source=&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=SAA+stalls+again+as+rescue+practitioners+wait+for+new+funding+%7C+Intu+Properties+to+leave+the+JSE+and+LSE+after+10+years+%7C+SA+risks+a+second+coronavirus+wave%2C+warns+health+minister&utm_term=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.businesslive.co.za%2Fbd%2Fnational%2Fhealth%2F2020-08-05-sa-risks-a-second-coronavirus-wave-warns-health-minister%2F"]Full Business Day report[/link]
[link url="https://www.news24.com/news24/southafrica/news/icu-mortality-reduced-by-at-least-25-since-the-introduction-of-dexamethasone-mkhize-20200805"]Full News24 report[/link]