The Western Cape Provincial Parliament today held its second special sitting of the Ad Hoc Covid-19 Committee. We welcome the data-led and evidence-based approach of the Western Cape Government in its management of the second wave of infections, as presented by Premier Alan Winde and Provincial Health Minister, Nomafrench Mbombo.
Western Cape vaccine rollout readiness
This approach informs us that cases are beginning to stabilise and the proportion of Covid-19 cases to hospital admissions is on the decline. We have seen a 26% contraction in the moving average of hospital admissions between 31 December 2020 to 7 January 2021. We are also encouraged to note the 8% decline in Covid-19 cases across the City of Cape Town, on average, across districts.
However, it is only through urgent rollout of a vaccine that we will be able to turn the tide against Covid-19.
We therefore support the provincial government’s stance on equitable, ethical access to the Covid-19 vaccine. We also welcome the WC Department of Health (DoH) and Provincial Treasury’s readiness to support National Government in the procurement process of vaccines, and their preparedness with contingency plans to mitigate delays in delivery of the vaccines, should National Government need this.
The Western Cape’s three-phase plan was highlighted:
- Phase 1 has a target of vaccinating 100 000 healthcare workers across the province, including those in the private and public sector, care workers, Community Health Workers, and health science students;
- Phase 2 will vaccinate essential services workers, the elderly, and residents with comorbidities; and
- Phase 3 aims to vaccinate the remainder of the provincial population over 18 years old.
The Provincial DoH is set to provide a leading role by coordinating public and private health sectors and civil society in a shared goal of vaccinating residents of the province. And critically, this will encompass a strong emphasis on data, systems, and support to our hospitals, mobile clinics, private practice doctors, pharmacies, and vaccination centres.
This vaccination readiness strategy is led by a stable governance arrangement drilled right down to sub-districts of the province.
The DA in the Western Cape supports the call that we unite to vaccinate and turn the tide against Covid-19, once and for all.
Declassification of the Garden Route as a hotspot
During the briefing, it was revealed that the Garden Route in particular is well past its peak of infections and continues on this downward trend in terms of cases, hospitalisations, and deaths. We thus support Premier Winde’s call to the Provincial Coronavirus Coordinating Council that the Garden Route be declassified as a hotspot, and that a differentiated approach must be utilised moving forward so that major, harsh lockdowns do not unnecessarily affect other regions.
The fact that the Garden Route endured its second wave at lockdown alert level 1 tells us two key points: firstly, the Western Cape was well-prepared to manage a second wave of infections, and secondly, the blunt instrument of a beach ban under level 3 does little more than harm local economies.
Targeted SANDF support
Whilst we welcome the province’s continuous efforts to coordinate enforcement of regulations with all available safety structures, as well as the SAPS, it remains our view that the deployment of the SANDF is poorly planned by national government. Instead of patrolling long stretches of quiet beaches, the army would be far better utilised by assisting with crowd control at venues such as those of the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA), where applicants stand in line for hours, often without crowd control and hygiene measures.
As per the President’s admission, we continue to face a pandemic of Gender-Based Violence. This is another missed opportunity, as the SANDF ought to be deployed to nationally-identified GBV hotspots.
The perpetual policy hit-and-miss of national government costs us dignity, lives, and livelihoods.
Department of the Premier
The Premier highlighted that the correlation between alcohol and trauma cases is a positive one, in the sense that where alcohol restrictions are in place, trauma cases decrease. A significant additional burden is placed on the healthcare system when alcohol regulations are relaxed. During the New Year’s week of 2021, the number of trauma cases declined by 65% in comparison to the same week in 2020.
We share the Premier’s sentiment that South Africa, as a whole, has a dangerous relationship with alcohol. Long-term, smart solutions are needed for this so that we curb avoidable trauma cases, gender-based violence, and other social ills. An alcohol ban is, in the long run, a blunt instrument that should only be relied upon during very desperate times.
The Premier continues to host Extended Provincial Cabinet Meetings every week, where amongst others, law enforcement is reported. For the 2-week period of 28 December to 10 January, 7 532 actions were taken by law enforcement, majority of which (about 70%) related to curfew violations and secondly, to non-compliance in wearing a face mask in public.
Oversight
The DA in the Western Cape remains committed to conducting stringent oversight over the work of governments in combatting Covid-19. The adhoc committee will continue to meet regularly to ensure proper oversight with real meaning and teeth. Our residents deserve, and must receive, a world-class response to the pandemic.
