About 80% of people in the Eastern Cape are likely to contract COVID-19 estimates the Eastern Cape Health, reports HeraldLIVE.
The estimate is contained in a report presented to the Eastern Cape Coronavirus Command Council. Of those infected, 80% are expected to present mild symptoms or to be asymptomatic, 15% might require admission to hospital and 5% are likely to need high care. Between about 1% and 3% of infected people might die from the virus, the report said.
Premier Oscar Mabuyane, who chairs the provincial command council, said his government was saddened by the loss of lives, but would remain resolute in its efforts to work with its social partners and the public to fight the virus. “We welcome the report of the department of health, which details its operations for screening, testing, quarantine and isolation of people with the virus,” Mabuyane said.
According to HeraldLIVE, the report said the Health Department had distributed to health facilities across the province more than 18m aprons, 15,229 biohazard bags, 32,945 boot covers, 786,260 goggles/face shields/visors, 42,469 gowns, 717,140 particulate respirators (grade N95), more than 1m surgical masks, 34,761 coveralls, 557,724 surgical gloves, more than 1.7m examination gloves and 246,238 1l bottles of sanitiser.
Of these, medical facilities in Nelson Mandela Bay had received 459,800 pairs of gloves, 12.9m aprons, 2,077 bottles of disinfectant, 595 pairs of goggles, 15,508 gowns (different types), 20,755 bottles of sanitiser of various sizes, more than 1m masks (different types), 478 overshoes, 24,035 thermometers and 85 visors.
Of the fatalities, 26.3% were aged between 30 and 39, 21.3% between 40 and 49, 15.5% between 50 and 59,15.4% in the 20-29 age group, 8.2% between 60 and 69, 5.2% between 10 and 19, 4.3% aged 70 and above, and 3.1% in the 0-9 age group.
According to the report, 191 public and private health-care workers – 71 of whom are from the Bay – has tested positive for the virus.
[link url="https://www.heraldlive.co.za/news/2020-06-03-up-to-80-in-east-cape-likely-to-get-covid-19/"]Full HeraldLIVE report[/link]