COVID-19: Minister Ebrahim Patel rejects lockdown criticism

Some opposition parties have indicated they will ask the courts to end the COVID-19 lockdown. Government is being accused of implementing regulations that are not rational. Trade and Industry Minister, Ebrahim Patel, says mistakes may have been made but these were quickly corrected.

We have used the 52 days to date, really as a toolkit of slowing down the virus during the lockdown and increasingly building up the stocks of hospital supplies.

As well as equipping hospitals and introducing protocols at the workplace, such as social distancing, hand sanitising and cleaning up the areas”, said Patel. The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in South Africa stands at 15,515 with 264 deaths.

The Western Cape has just over 9,000 cases which are almost 60% of the country’s infection.

Government is being accused of implementing regulations that are not rational. Trade and Industry Minister, Ebrahim Patel, says mistakes may have been made, but these were quickly corrected. Courtesy #DStv403 pic.twitter.com/1FMbALYndI

— eNCA (@eNCA) May 18, 2020

It also has the highest number of COVID-19 deaths at 149, followed by KwaZulu-Natal at 45. Gauteng has recorded 25 deaths. Nearly half of the people who tested positive have recovered. Mpumalanga and Northern Cape are the only two provinces that haven’t recorded any deaths.

– Coronavirus Hotline Number: 0800 029 999 from 8 am to 4 pm, 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.

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Source: eNCA