As Amajuba District cruises to 5000 COVID-19 cases, more than a 1000 increase in a week, we as Newcastillians need to be paying more attention to how we are treating this virus. As we clearly are not abiding by the rules to stop the spread.
This follows the KwaZulu-Natal Health Department releasing the latest figures on the virus, for KZN. According to the department, KZN ranks a stomach-churning third in the country, with regards to the highest number of cases in the country. Furthermore, the province contributes to 11% of the deaths countrywide and ranks fourth in terms of death.
Two of the latest deaths in our province are sadly a three-month-old baby girl and a four-year-old boy.
Currently, there have been 84 252 confirmed cases within KZN. At present, there are 38 609 active cases in KZN with 44 664 recoveries and 979 deaths.
In the Amajuba District alone, there are a bone-chilling 4 656 cases coupled with 2 495 recoveries and 43 deaths.
What makes these figures scary, is that Australia currently has 18 729 confirmed cases, 10 790 recoveries and 232 deaths. That means KZN has 65 523 more cases than the entire country of Australia. The Amajuba District only has 14 073 fewer cases than Australia and at the rate, our numbers are climbing, that number does not look that far down the line from achieving.
On July 28, the Newcastillian reported that KZN had been classified as a hotspot for COVID-19. At the time, there were 3 570 confirmed cases in the Amajuba District. Which means that in one week, the Amajuba District has seen 1 086 new cases.
Read more: Devasting news as Newcastle is declared a COVID-19 hotspot
Is the virus out of control or does the problem lay in the hands of the community?
As much as we look at our government for solutions, does the general nonchalant behaviour towards the rules and regulations not contribute to the spread of COVID-19? High numbers also aid the Government in motivating their agendas (food for thought).
While the regulations pertaining to the ban of alcohol and cigarette sales might not make sense, not taking this virus seriously is clearly nonsensical on our part and is our problem to remedy.
How can a country have less than a province in terms of COVID-19 cases? Simple answer, the people in countries like Australia are not treating this as common flu, but rather are wearing masks, washing hands, sanitizing and strictly abiding by social distancing rules. Looking at our numbers and how rapidly they are climbing, indicates, we are not.
Can we continue to ignore the threat the virus poses, as we go about our daily routines? Let us support and respect the efforts of the medical industry by abiding by basic rules to protect our lives.
