GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - George recorded its sixth Covid-19 death today, Monday 15 June.
Leensie Lötter, spokesperson for the Western Cape Health Department upon enquiry did not supply details about the latest local fatality, but she confirmed that the total number of Covid-19 deaths in George now stands at 6.
This brings the total number of deaths in the Garden Route district to 10 and follows the death on Saturday 13 June of an official of the George Municipality, the second municipal official who has passed away due to Covid-19.
George Herald's municipal journalist, Michelle Pienaar reports that Municipal Manager Trevor Botha has offered condolences to the family and colleagues of the official. Municipal spokesperson Chantel Edwards-Klose told her that the official had worked at the municipality for 43 years.
Mayor Leon van Wyk also offered sincerest condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of the official on behalf of the Council. “We feel for the family in this difficult time. We should at all times remain aware and alert to observe safe practices at all times,” he said.
George Municipality has requested that the privacy of the official and that of the family is taken into consideration at all times during this difficult period.
The total number of people in the Garden Route district who have tested positive for the novel coronavirus now stands at 385 (as of 13:00 on 15 June).
Zee Brickles, the health district director for the Garden Route and Little Karoo, said today in a live Facebook conference in which he reported back to Western Cape Health Minister Dr Nomafrench Mbombo, that they are working on obtaining statistics for smaller and geographical areas of Covid infections. This will aid in the challenges posed in the management of the spread of the virus. He said there has been a sudden and significant rise of infections over the past seven days, especially in George, Knysna and Mossel Bay.
The numbers having tested positive in the various municipal areas in the district are currently as follows:
George 165 (90 recoveries)
Knysna 96 (61 recoveries)
Mossel Bay 63 (31 recoveries)
Oudtshoorn 24 (9 recoveries)
Hessequa 18 (12 recoveries)
Bitou 16 (15 recoveries)
Kannaland 3 (2 recoveries)
The number of positive tests in the Western Cape is 42 892 and 1 111 of deaths have been recorded.
Related article: 5th Covid death in George
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