On Friday the Eastern Cape Department of Health announced that more than 80 people who travelled from the Western Cape to the Eastern Cape tested positive for Covid-19.
Earlier on Thursday, the statistics showed 56 positive results from people who travelled via the same route. Health MEC Sindiswa Gomba expressed concern about the high volume of travel from the Western Cape.
“We understand that inter-provincial travelling is allowed but having so many people who have tested positive for COVID-19 coming to the Eastern Cape undermines the good work that we have been doing and continue doing. Why the 56 people were not tested in the Western Cape is beyond me. We need all provinces to work together in containing the spread of this virus,” Gomba said.
Gomba hopes that now that the grace period has ended, there will be fewer increases in positive cases. The MEC advised people to adhere to regulations by washing their hands with soap or sanitiser frequently and social distancing.
On 7 May, the Eastern Cape had reported 929 confirmed cases, 18 deaths and 388 recoveries.