Dear B4SA members and colleagues
The events of the past week or so in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng are of grave concern and a huge setback to both the country and our response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The loss of both lives and livelihoods has been devastating, and the state must take immediate action to end the violence and destruction.
The situation has severe consequences for controlling the pandemic: the risk that superspreading events will result in significant levels of infection and further overburdening of the healthcare system. This is particularly worrying in a setting where access to healthcare has been disrupted, which includes testing for COVID-19, oxygen supplies, and the transport and administration of vaccines.
To this end, B4SA is working closely with Government to protect staff, patients and the medical supplies and property that form part of the vaccination programme. Some vaccination sites that were damaged, or deemed to be at risk have been closed temporarily as a result.
Read more: B4SA weekly update 16 July 21