Dr Zweli Mkhize concedes COVID-19 related deaths not reported timeously
Health Minister Zweli Mkhize says there is nothing untoward about the surge in COVID-19 related deaths in the past few days.
He says it indicates a backlog in reporting deaths timeously.
Mkhize also reiterated the country is moving into the eye of the COVID-19 storm.
Mkhize was speaking during a National Assembly debate on the additional R21-billion his department has received to respond to the pandemic.
He said that the re-opening of the economy has contributed to the rapid surge in coronavirus cases.
With deaths hovering over 6,000, Mkhize says under-reporting is carefully watched.
“Various explanations are given for this phenomenon, for example, people dying of COVID before they get to health services, or people dying of COVID-19 but the death not being reported as such, or people dying from non-COVID-19 conditions because of constraints in the health services,” he said.
In response to criticism from opposition MPs, Mkhize says it was inevitable the pandemic would expose weaknesses in the health system. Coronavirus Hotline Number: 0800 029 999 from 8am to 4pm, Monday to Friday
Help protect your loved ones by sharing this official South African government COVID-19 service with your family, friends and community.
Send HI to 0600 123 456 on WhatsApp.
The NICD has another Clinician Hotline to improve #COVID19 communication and support for healthcare providers. The Clinician Hotline is 0800 11 1131, operating 24 hrs. The Public Hotline is 0800 029 999 also operating 24hrs.
In other news – Pearl Thusi and Daughter, Okuhle, spend quality time together
Pearl Thusi is a lady of many talents, one of them being hands-on mom who is completely smitten with her two daughters. Read more
Source: eNCA
