South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa bans the sales of alcohol to decrease the highly increasing number of patients admitted hospitals as a result of alcohol related problems. The ban will reduce admission into the hospital leaving more hospital beds for coronavirus patients.
Besides the high number of hospitalization due to coronavirus, the country is also putting back night curfew to reduce the accidents. The president also warned the public on mandatory putting of face masks while out in the public.
On a televised address on the 12th July Sunday night, President Ramaphosa reiterated the warning by the top health officials on shortages of hospital beds, medical oxygen. South Africa is estimated to reach the peak of COVID-19 cases in the next 2 months. In the current situation, some hospitals are turning away patients because their beds are full to the maximum limits.
“In the midst of our national effort to fight against this virus there are a number of people who have taken to organizing parties, who have drinking sprees, and some who walk around in crowded spaces without masks”
South Africa constant increase of COVID-19 patients
South Africa currently has made it to the top world centers for COVID-19 due to the rapid growing number of the virus cases. The research by Johns Hopkins University says country is ranked at the 9th country in the worlds most affected by the virus.
In the past few days, the country had recorded an increase of more than 10,000 cases with nearly 13,500 new cases recorded daily. In Africa, South Africa is at the top with 40% of all the confirmed cases with a total of 276,242 cases and an increase of 12058 in just a single day. The country has recorded 4,079 fatalities, 25% of which occurred last week.
The president says since the sale of alcohol returned in June, most hospitals in the country gets many admissions. An increase especially in the trauma and emergency wards.
The new countrywide curfew law demands citizens to strictly be indoors and not seen in the outside between 9p.m and 4.am starting Monday.
Putting on Face Masks is mandatory in the public
The president also declared putting on face masks as mandatory in the public. All the transport operators, employers and business owners and buildings should ensure everyone entering their premises wear masks.
He reprimanded citizens who have deny the rules put to curb the spread of the virus. For example, people who are organizing parties, attending social gatherings and drinking press. And those who walk in the public without masks.
“While the surge of infections is expected, the force and the speed with which it has progressed has, quite understandably, caused great concern. Many of us are fearful of the danger this presents for ourselves and for our families.”
Said Ramaphosa
Last words
Despite the heaviest lockdown measures put by the president in the last months, South Africa has not recorded any significant change in the fight against the virus. Instead, the numbers are rising. While the country is fighting for a balance in both managing the virus and recovering the economy, a lot needs to be done by the government. At least to control the huge number of cases heavily increasing day by day.
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