East London – Minister of Health Dr. Zweli Mkhize on Thursday said the Covid-19 infection rate in the Eastern Cape should come as a huge warning.
The province has the second-highest number of Covid-19 related deaths in the country and accounted for just over 12% of the national infection load with over 7,000 cases.
The minister visited the province to assess its response to the coronavirus pandemic. This came just days after the provincial government called for the alcohol ban to be reinstated.
Premier Oscar Mabuyane argued that the ban on alcohol would help with policing efforts to control the spread of the virus.
Mkhize also said that there was a need for behavioral changes in communities.
“The numbers are going to start increasing in the Eastern Cape, probably to the same level that’s e were expecting in Gauteng, and that means we need to be ready to move ahead. So, part of what we have to look at is to evaluate the response,” said Mkhize.
