The Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane on Monday told members of the media that his province is ready for the anticipated spike of Covid 19 cases especially now that the economy is opened. On Saturday President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the nation on further easing lockdown restrictions on level 2 including lifting the suspension of the sale of tobacco and liquor. Ramaphosa said the reopening of some sectors of the economy prompted scientists to warn the public that the country could see a surge in the Coronavirus cases. Speaking during his weekly Covid 19 Media Conference in Mthatha premier Mabuyane through his MEC of Health Sindiswa Gomba and Public Works MEC Babalo Madikizela said the province is ready to deal with the second wave of Covid 19 cases.
“When you match today’s bed’s availability and bed occupation in our hospitals we can easily say that if the wave comes back we are ready to deal with it in terms of facilities. The beds that had been projected to be received in September are still in the pipeline of preparing for the anticipated wave. The spaces we have created in our Health facilities will still be having beds that will tackle any surge that happens”, said MEC Gomba. Meanwhile Public Works MEC, a department responsible for infrastructure development of the Hospitals MEC Madikizela also assured the Eastern Cape citizens that the infrastructure revamp will be ready before the end of October. In his speech, Premier Mabuyane said the government has refurbished 86 projects across all 6 regions including the Metros to a value of R594m that will guarantee 2598 Covid 19 beds. Premier also voiced his concern over the behaviour of the people when the announcement of suspension on alcohol sale was lifted “It is disappointing to be in South Africa sometimes where people would wake up and celebrate the opening of the sale of liquor. He also pleaded with smokers “No Skafe” please and stop sharing umqombothi using one bucket.
