Home PodcastJulie Alli Volunteers at burial organisations are beginning to feel the strain of the COVID-19 third wave, burial committee member says

Volunteers at burial organisations are beginning to feel the strain of the COVID-19 third wave, burial committee member says

by Zahid Jadwat

COVID-19 cases exceed 2,000, 25 deaths in South Africa

 

JOHANNESBURG – As the third wave of COVID-19 gets underway in South Africa, volunteers at burial committees are beginning to feel the strain of a climbing death rate.

“This weekend, we were inundated with the number of mayyits,” said Aboobaker Sayed from the Lenasia-based Saaberie Chisty burial committee. “This is taking its toll on volunteers,” he added

‘Everyone seems to be busy’

Sayed told Salaamedia that his teams conducted more than 20 funerals over the weekend, which, he explains, is a dramatic increase. He added that other organisations in the area were also active over the weekend.

Latest figures from the Department of Health state that the cumulative number of CIVID-19 cases in South Africa now stands at 1 699 849, with 57 063 deaths.

Sayed fears that the third wave may place a heavier strain on burial teams than the first wave. He said: “So far, it looks like [the third wave] might be worse than the first wave.”

Last week, President Cyril Ramaphosa placed the country on Alert Level 2, introducing new restrictions and an extended curfew, in an effort to curb the spread of the virus as the country’s vaccine rollout gets underway.

Julie Alli spoke to Aboobaker Sayed from Saabrie Chisty Burials on News & Views. You can listen to the full interview here:

 

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