Cholera loss of life moves to 31

Pretoria: The cholera outbreak has resulted in at least 31 deaths, and Gauteng and Free State hospitals have seen over 600 people with suspected cholera symptoms.

According to a statement released on Thursday by the Department of Health, 202 cases of cholera occurred between February 1 and June 6, 2023.

Foster Mohale, a spokesperson for the Health Department, stated that Gauteng was responsible for 29 deaths, while Free State and Mpumalanga each had one death.

“Gauteng, which accounts for at least 92%, or 152 cases, recorded the majority of cases, while Free State Province recorded 5%, or nine cases. Mohale stated that North West had three positive cases, in addition to Limpopo and Mpumalanga, which each recorded one.

Patients in Gauteng range in age from one to 91 years old, while those in the Free State range from 10 to 50 years old.

This temporary hospital has seen more than 200 patients. The office has been working every minute of every day since 26 May.”

Mohale asked individuals from the general population to stay careful and stay away from known or thought sullied food, water and surfaces, and wash hands completely with cleanser prior to dealing with and getting ready food or in the wake of utilizing the restroom.

He added, “Never drink water from unsafe sources like rivers, dams, or streams unless it has been boiled or disinfected first.”

In the meantime, President Cyril Ramaphosa visited Hammanskraal earlier on Thursday to apologize to residents for the poor quality of the water there.

“We are grieved that it has taken the passings of various individuals… Your fundamental basic freedom of having clean water, we have not satisfied your hopes as individuals of Hammanskraal,” he said.