An infected patient in quarantine lying in bed in hospital.

By Naadiya Adams

Gauteng has been hardest hit in the latest wave of Covid-19 infections, leading the pack as the country battles the third wave. The number of people currently being treated in Gauteng hospitals sits at a whopping 3000, a worrying figure for the community at large.

In an announcement made by the Department of Health on Sunday, 3 062 people are being treated in hospital for Covid-19 in Gauteng in both the public and private sectors. The latest statistics have shown a substantial rise in both infections and hospital admissions

The province has seen a total of 471 613 cases with 438 701 recoveries and 11 404 deaths as of Saturday.

This past Friday saw 346,914 people vaccinated in the province.

The two major metros account for the bulk of the infections with Johannesburg at 1,091 and Tshwane with 858, followed by Ekurhuleni with 552.

Gauteng Premier David Makhura said in an update on Covid-19 response on Friday that there is no evidence of better compliance from residents on the COVID-19 protocols.

“These messages are not getting out there that the pandemic is everywhere. We are not picking up the reports of infections including family-level infections. Those reports are coming from almost every part of the province. It is winter, we are very concerned it is winter and it is cold. It’s worse when there is an inadequate supply of power and electricity.”

Many provinces are experiencing a resurgence but KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sihle Zikalala said the province is not yet in the third wave and residents need to be vigilant and observe Covid-19 protocols.

The third wave is underway in Free State, the Northern Cape and North West, and new infections are accelerating rapidly in Gauteng, but an analysis by the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD)  says the Eastern Cape has the highest reproduction number.

Public Works Minister Patricia de Lille confirmed at the weekend that she tested positive for COVID-19.

The minister released a statement on Twitter saying she tested on Friday after showing symptoms.

The Minister is asking South Africans to continue adhering to COVID regulations and not allow complacency to set in.

“As we enter wave three of the pandemic, I call on all South Africans not to let their guard down.”

Good Morning. I have tested positive for Covid-19. I took the test on Friday after showing some symptoms. pic.twitter.com/UL7Mt3kT2m

— Patricia de Lille (@PatriciaDeLille) June 6, 2021

South Africa recorded 5 074 new Covid-19 infections by Sunday, 5 June and 45 more Covid-19-related deaths, taking the death toll to 56 974.