A gradual and phased recovery of economic activities, in South Africa, was proposed by President Cyril Ramaphosa on Thursday, 23 April 2020, and was be implemented on Friday, 01 May 2020. The president’s announcement regarding the phased recovery of economic activities speaks to a plan that is divided into 5 levels based on scientific evidence to allow the economy to resume and recover. “We will implement a risk adjusted strategy through which we take a deliberate and cautious approach to the easing of current lockdown restrictions.” President Ramaphosa said.

According to the Department of Health on Sunday 03 May 2020, the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in South Africa is 6783, an increase of 447 cases from the previous day.From the total announced by the Minister of Health Dr Zweli Mkhize, 36 of the confirmed COVID-19 cases are from the North West Province.

36 cases is equivalent to less than 1% of the total cases in South Africa. As level 5 of the lockdown, implemented in a space of 5 weeks, came to an end, making way to Level 4, the North West Provincial Department of Health has reported to have Screened over a Million people and tested just over 2500 people across the province. According to the Provincial Department’s Spokesperson, Tebogo Lekgethwane, “The North West Province is low on cases because we do not recieve many international travelers. If you look at Provinces with high number of cases like Gauteng, KZN and Western Cape you realise those provinces receive many international travelers.”

From 2549 people who have been announced to have recovered from the novel COVID-19, 20 are from the North West Province. This essentially means that the province has 16 active cases. The Provincial Department of Health says it is doing everything possible to make sure there is no sudden spike in cases. “We however do not dismiss possibility of increase in cases because there are a number of people still awaiting test results.” Said Lekgethwane.

-The VIP Team

-NICD

-PrecidencyZA

-North West DoH