The National Institute For Communicable Diseases (NICD) reported that over 90 000 South Africans have died since the start of the pandemic. This number comes as the country sees the start of its fourth coviCovid-19 wave. As of Tuesday, nearly a quarter of all people testing for the virus are testing positive for Covid.
“The majority of new cases today are from Gauteng (64%), followed by KwaZulu-Natal (11%). Western Cape accounted for 6%; North West accounted for 5%; Mpumalanga accounted for 4%; Eastern Cape, Free State, and Limpopo each accounted for 3% respectively; and Northern Cape accounted for 1% of today’s new cases.,” the NICD noted.
As the numbers continue to climb, the South African president, Cyril Ramaphosa, urged citizens to get vaccinated. Earlier this week, Ramaphosa encouraged vaccination as a measure to curb the spread of new infections.
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“Scientific evidence shows that vaccination is the most effective means of preventing the spread of new infections and that vaccines reduce severe illness, hospitalisation, and death. As every day passes, and as infections rise, the reasons to get vaccinated become more compelling and the need becomes ever more urgent,” he said.
Unlike the previous three waves, scientists are seeing an increase in the number of hospitalisations for children under the age of five. As part of its preparation for the fourth wage. The Department of Health has said it is paying close attention to these developments.
. and is paying special attention to pediatric patients as necessary. The department said adequate clinical guidelines have been shared with hospitals to guide and support clinicians
