By Kaya 959 Reporter
The Gauteng Department of Education is being urged to consider closing schools earlier due to the increasing numbers of COVID-19 cases in the province.
Education activist, Hendrick Makaneta, says Gauteng is the hardest hit province. He adds that closing schools early “is the right thing to do”.
He says the country is in the 4th wave of the coronavirus pandemic.
Makaneta adds that it makes no sense and called on the authorities in the province to do something about this unbearable situation.
He says the early closure of schools seems to be the most reasonable and right thing to do. Gauteng schools are due to close on December 15.
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COVID-19 cases continue to increase
The National Institute for Communicable Diseases says 6 381 new COVID-19 cases were recorded on Monday. SA now has a total of 2 861 372 cases and 89 975 deaths as a result of COVID-19. Gauteng’s cases increased by 4 488.
The NICD reported that the majority of new cases today are from Gauteng (70%), followed by KwaZulu-Natal (10%). Western Cape accounted for 6%; Mpumalanga accounted for 5%; Limpopo accounted for 3%; Free State and North West each accounted for 2%; Eastern Cape and Northern Cape each accounted for 1%.
During his weekly COVID-19 update, Health Minister Dr Joe Phaahla, said the Gauteng Department of Health is doing everything possible to make sure there are provisions and services for those who become seriously ill.
“We want to appeal to all South Africans that the time has come to be more vigilant and apply all the health and safety measures we know very well. These include the wearing of masks, hand washing and sanitising , physical distance, avoiding crowds and good ventilation,” he said.
Phaahla urged people to get vaccinated.
“We applaud all South Africans who have come forward to be vaccinated.”
The Department of Health confirmed that 26 490 416 vaccinations have been administered in SA to date.
