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City cemeteries experience increase in burials <p>The City’s cemeteries have experienced incremental increases in the number of burials in recent weeks.</p><p>From just over 300 in a week towards the end of June, the number of burials last week was 483. </p><p>‘The increase in burials underscores the increase in Covid-19 infections and fatalities since the start of the third wave. For the moment, our cemeteries are able to cope with the increased demand, but we renew our appeal to residents to please consider burials on weekdays and where possible, to consider alternatives to burial. We also ask that funeral organisers be mindful of the current regulations in terms of the number of attendees and time allowed at the cemetery. In recent weeks, the City’s Environmental Health Practitioners have expressed concern about the non-adherence to regulations at funerals. This third wave is proving to be devastating, and while we realise how difficult it is to manage funerals in the times we are living in, I appeal to the public to please keep personal safety and the health protocols top of mind at all times.</p><p>‘The City also reminds residents that cemetery visits are not allowed at this time. While memorial work can still continue if the relevant permits have been secured, unveiling ceremonies cannot be accommodated until further notice,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Zahid Badroodien.</p><p>During the last week, Klip Road cemetery in Grassy Park had 151 burials, Maitland 126 and Welmoed cemetery 76.</p><p>The Maitland crematorium facilitated 89 cremations, and 48 cremations were transferred to the private crematorium in Durbanville, as one of the cremators at Maitland is closed for maintenance.</p><p><strong>THIRD WAVE</strong></p><p>In terms of the third wave, the Cape metropole continues to see significant numbers of new cases on a daily basis. In the past week, there were 485 fatalities and a six percent increase in hospital admissions. </p><p>In terms of the vaccination rollout programme, more than half a million vaccine doses have been administered in the metropole.</p><p>‘We continue to see improved participation in our vaccination rollout, and this is truly heartening. The 35 – 49 cohort has played a significant role in this regard, and we thank them for that. However, it is important that we continue to ramp up participation in the older age groups and I once again encourage our younger people to get their older relatives and friends to our vaccination sites. The older age groups continue to be prioritised in terms of walk-ins, and onsite registration for those who have not yet done so.</p><p>‘We cannot afford to drop our guard. Too many people are losing loved ones still, and so it remains critical to continue adhering to the basic health protocols. Wear your mask, sanitise regularly, only leave home when you absolutely have to, and keep your distance at all times. These protocols also apply even once you have been vaccinated. It has been a long, hard road and while things are improving, there is still much work to be done,’ added Councillor Badroodien.</p><p><br><strong>End</strong></p>2021-07-19T22:00:00ZGP0|#1d539e44-7c8c-4646-887d-386dc1d95d70;L0|#01d539e44-7c8c-4646-887d-386dc1d95d70|City news;GTSet|#62efe227-07aa-45e7-944c-ceebacca891dGP0|#64b2591e-28b1-4fe1-8d55-fa078642a54f;L0|#064b2591e-28b1-4fe1-8d55-fa078642a54f|Burial;GTSet|#2e3de6c1-9951-4747-8f53-470629a399bb;GP0|#6199a1b2-2e64-4bd0-abba-c06ea746ee8b;L0|#06199a1b2-2e64-4bd0-abba-c06ea746ee8b|cemetaries10

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