By: Nosipho Haya-Komisa
Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane has warned that the sale of alcohol may increase the number of infections of coronavirus in the province.
Mabuyane was speaking during his weekly virtual press conference on the state of coronavirus in the province yesterday.
He said the consumption of alcohol may result in trauma-related cases and pose a threat to public health services.
“The impact of the sale of alcohol is another threat to public health services. The sale of alcohol may result in an increase of trauma-related cases which may overstretch the resources of the health system and expose patients and healthcare workers to possible infections,” said Mabuyane.
He further said that the war against the spread of COVID-19 in the country is not yet over.
“The misinterpretation of the level 2 regulations by the public is threatening to spark new cases. Some of our people are unfortunately thinking the war is over under level 2 and are going behaving recklessly. This can lead to the emergence of clusters,” he said.
Mabuyane revealed that more than 2000 people have lost their lives due to COVID-19 related illness in the province.
“We want to remind our people that 2,876 people lost their lives to this virus in our province and it is still deadly. We, therefore, plead with them to continue being vigilant by wearing their masks, washing their hands, and maintaining social distancing. Our biggest worry is alcohol users who go out of their homes to drink with friends whose infection status they do not know. They are putting the lives of their family members at risk,” said Mabuyane.
Mabuyane said the government is encouraged by the number of COVID-19 recoveries in the province.
“We enter the spring season encouraged by the fact that ninety-five per cent (95%) of the individuals who tested positive for COVID-19 in our province have recovered, and all districts have the recovery rate that is above 90%.”