17 Aug 2021

Although there has been a surge of COVID-19 positive cases in the months of June and July, the chairman of Good Hope sub-district, Mr Boniface Leshomo says the regions experienced a slight decline in the numbers of cases since beginning of August.

Officially opening Goodhope sub-district virtual meeting on Monday, Mr Leshomo said it was hoped that the trend continued in that direction, urging the general public to always adhere to COVID-19 protocols.

This, he said was important as there was insufficient space for isolation which had now led to increased home isolation and risk for noncompliance giving rise to spread of infections.

However the chairman said there had been a surge in numbers of COVID-19 cases in the month of June which reached peak in July this year.

He said as at of July 5 cumulative cases reached 6 174 while 5 368 people had already recovered. Mr Leshomo said 198 were repatriated to their countries of origin and 596 were active cases. “Of the active cases 41 were still in isolation at Pitsane and 555 were isolated at home,” he said adding that 42 people in the district succumbed to the disease so far.

He pointed out that most of the cases arose from school outbreaks across the sub-district. These included four junior schools, three primaries and Goodhope Senior School.

Furthermore Mr Leshomo said since the commencement of vaccination on April 9 in the sub-district, 6 787 people had received the first dose.

“The second dose was received by 3 486 people and vaccination of second dose is on-going”.

Meanwhile the Mr Leshomo was worried about the low number of applications for Youth Development Fund businesses, saying a total of 24 applications had been received thus far with the closing date set for August 20.

He said the reasons were not yet known for low numbers but the department was looking into the matter to come up with mitigations. He therefore encourage youth to apply.

Mr Leshomo also announced the commencement of long awaited mini stadium construction work.

 

He also noted that 2020/21 destitute and RADP housing project was progressing well with 21 out of 23 houses completed and handed over to beneficiaries while only two at Mmathethe and Metlojane were still under construction. ENDS