#Rage Festivals postponed after Covid-19 spike

A rave on a KwaZulu Natal beach is thought to be behind a surge in Covid-19 infections and the organisers of the annual #Rage Festival have cancelled all other events until further notice.

Doctors say there is a link between a #Rage party held at Ballito on the KwaZulu-Natal North coast and a spike in cases particularly among youngsters who attended the event held between 27 November to 4 December.

#Rage Festivals spokesperson Darren Sandras said those who have tickets will be refunded.

“Tickets for Plett Rage have been paused with immediate effect,” he said.

“This is to ensure all necessary further consultation with the relevant officials and stakeholders can take place. For now, all further Rage Festival events are postponed as we consult further with the relevant officials and stakeholders. More details can be shared as they become available.”

That comes after Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize said on Sunday that all those who attended the festival should be tested and self-quarantine. The Provincial Executive Council (PEC) of KwaZulu-Natal has also stepped in regarding the number of cases in KZN.

It is also being reported this week that many hospitals in the province are reporting full ICUs.

“This is a clear illustration that large gatherings which involve the consumption of alcohol are a major risk and continue to undermine our efforts to contain the spread of the virus. Whilst government makes an effort to contain this virus, we now plead with all parents to also exercise their parental prerogative and set boundaries on activities that their children (specifically the youth) can participate in,” said Mkhize.

Covid-19 graph showing growth in the pandemic in South Africa

Number of Covid-19 cases growing across the country – Department of Health

The provincial government has also called on people in the province to avoid gathering in large numbers.

“The Executive Council, on the advice of medical and scientific practitioners, resolved not to encourage the hosting of major events in the province, owing to the threat and risks imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said premier Sihle Zikalala

“People are encouraged to visit and enjoy the province of KwaZulu-Natal. They can hold small family activities without compromising the disaster management regulations,” he said.

[Read] The Coronavirus pandemic continues to grip South Africa as 4 116 more people were confirmed to have contracted the virus, pushing the cumulative total cases to 814 565 https://t.co/G2zYmHgex2 #COVID19 @DrZweliMkhize @HealthZA pic.twitter.com/EVMoPDlbDz

— @SAgovnews (@SAgovnews) December 7, 2020

Covid-19 emergency staff boosted

At the same time, the contracts of 7 051 employees who were employed for six months to strengthen the fight against Coronavirus have been extended. Provincial authorities hire these workers to fill the gaps as health workers have been flooded by #covid-19 cases.

“It will ensure that the province is equal to the task in the event that the country is hit by a second wave of this deadly and incurable virus,” said the Premier, adding that contracts will now end in March 2021.

Source: DoH

There were 804 new cases in KZN in the last 24 hours, with 3 393 deaths confirmed and 131 350 positive cases identified in the province since the pandemic broke out in March 2020.

-Health-e News with SAnews.gov.za

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