By: Zethu Gweva
The Buffalo City Health District has vaccinated 10 924 employees as of April 9 2021.
This is after the Buffalo City Metro rolled out its first vaccination to its employees.
According to the Buffalo City Metro Municipality Spokesperson Samkelo Ngwenya, the Johnson & Johnson vaccine arrived in Buffalo City Metro as part of the expansion of vaccination sites announced by the State President.
Ngwenya added that Frere Hospital has been identified as a Satellite vaccination site under the
Johnson & Johnson Sisonke Study.
“Health Workers from both public and private hospitals are being vaccinated first,” he said.
The number according to Ngwenya for daily vaccinations at Frere Hospital is 350 people per day.
He expressed that, since the opening of the vaccination site on March 26 2021 at Cecilia Makiwane Hospital, a number of 1233 employees have been vaccinated.
Ngwenya added people who will conduct vaccinations are currently undergoing training.
“The vaccination drive for all Phase one health workers is ongoing and readiness activities are also ongoing for Phase two and Phase three vaccination,” said Ngwenya.
According to Ngwenya the highest incident rate of Covid-19 cases remains amongst the 30-39 years age group in the week under review.
“All the sub-areas continue to report recovery rates of above 90% as evidenced by the number of active cases which has declined,” he said.
He added that in Ward 18 in East London cases have increased drastically and in Ward 22 in Mdantsane there has been a rise in cases.
“The numbers show that things are getting better, but people need to keep up precautions especially with lockdown regulations being eased,” said Ngwenya.