We have not dug one million open graves, Gauteng Health clarifies

Dennis TJuly 9, 2020

69 1 minute read

The Gauteng Department of Health has released a statement clarifying early reports that approximately 1.5-million graves that can be “easily accessed” should the need arise.

On Wednesday, Gauteng Health MEC Bandile Masuku said the province has approximately 1.5-million burial sites that can be easily accessed should the need arise.

In a statement released on Thursday, the Department said it wished to clarify the confusion on the number of graves dug for COVID-19.

“The province does not have over a million already open dug graves, the over a million graves refers to the collective capacity municipalities can take.

“The GDoH is continuing to improve and increase both the infrastructure and human resource capacity of the health system to deal with the increasing pressure from the COVID-19 pandemic,” the statement read.

Gauteng has become the new epicentre of the coronavirus. The province recorded more than 75,000 infections.

City of Johannesburg mayoral spokesperson Mlimandlela Ndamase said the city is confident that they have the capacity to provide space for families who need to bury their deceased loved ones.

Ndamase stated the city’s capacity for burial space is not an indication of the anticipated number of casualties due to COVID-19. Coronavirus Hotline Number: 0800 029 999 from 8am to 4pm, Monday to Friday

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