On Monday, the Department also confirmed that 547 hospital beds are now occupied with COVID-19 Positive patients. This is 63 more patients hospitalized from Sunday. 50 Patients said to be in Intensive Care, while 77 are confirmed to be on ventilators for oxygen.

Stats as 20 July 2020 by NW Health

The North West Province, like the rest of the country, is currently on its 5th week of the National Lockdown Level 3. It is in this level that the province has seen its most COVID19 positive cases and related deaths. Before level 3, the Platinum Province’s contribution to the country’s burden of coronavirus virus was below the 1% mark. To date, the province contributes over 3% to South Africa’s COVID19 infection burden. As at Tuesday, 21 July 2020, 14 634 makes the number confirmed COVID19 positive cases in the North West Province.

The Department of Health in the North West Province has confirmed that though there is great anticipation for the nearing peak, at least a 30% recovery rate is recorded in the province. Be that as it may, the Province’s 3,8% infection rate puts a dent on other Provinces might view as good news. The North West Province has the fifth most numbers of infections of the novel coronavirus amongst the the 9 in the country.

On Monday, the Department also confirmed that 547 hospital beds are now occupied with COVID-19 Positive patients. This is 63 more patients hospitalized from Sunday. 50 Patients said to be in Intensive Care, while 77 are confirmed to be on ventilators for oxygen. The Vryburg Independent Post (The VIP) Team enquired with the Department about its preparedness with the looming peak, but unfortunately we were not given an audience at the time of publishing. The VIP Team is pursuing an update regarding capacity in the province’s hospitals.

The Bojanala Platinum District remains the Provincial epicenter of the pandemic, with almost ten thousands confirmed cases. The VIP Team is however watching closest the developments that even closer to home. The Dr. Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District went from having a 100% recovery rate towards the end of the National Lockdown Level 4, to accumulating a total of almost 500, as the numbers are bound to tip over the 400 mark, coronavirus infections currently in Level 3. The district now has a 19,6% recovery rate, be that as it may, the infection rate is also on the rise.

Under Level 3, the district’s economic hub, the Naledi Local (NL) Municipality area is turning out to be the hardest hit, emerging to be an epicenter in the district. NL Municipality is announced to have over 150 positive confirmed coronavirus cases. The sting of this rise in cases is felt closer and closer to home by many. On Sunday, 19 July 2020, Huhudi’s local Clinic was announced to be closing because of a confirmed case. Our sources have also informed us that a case has also been confirmed at Mokgosi Primary School, a local school in Huhudi. Learners at this school were sent home today, and according to some parents an alleged COVID19 case was the reason. A number of locally known individuals have now also gone into quarantine. Compliance, however, is steadily becoming evident at the grassroots levels of this community, with increased face mask wearing after it has been made compulsory under the current National Disaster Act regulation. The Department of Health continues to also advocate for consciousness as far as the COVID-19 literature and compliance is concern, but the question that remain is, is the message come down fast enough? Or contrary, is the audience listen and implement the message accordingly?

-The VIP Team

-National DoH

-NW DoH

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