By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD),reports 11 182 new COVID-19 cases that have been identified in South Africa, which brings the total number of laboratory-confirmed cases to 2 206 781. This increase represents a 31.4% positivity rate.
The total number of cases today (n= 11 182) is lower than yesterday (n= 16 302) and lower than the average number of new cases per day over the 7 preceding days (n=18 768). The 7-day moving average daily number of cases has decreased.
The majority of new cases today are from Gauteng (50%), followed by Western Cape (11%). KwaZulu-Natal and Limpopo accounted for 9% each; Mpumalanga accounted for 8%; North West accounted for 5%; Eastern Cape accounted for 4%; Free State accounted for 2%, and Northern Cape accounted for 1% of today’s new cases, said NICD.
“A total of 35 623 tests were conducted and 13 937 470 tests have been conducted in both public and private sectors in the last 24 hrs.
Hospital Admissions:
There has been an increase of 571 hospital admissions in the past 24 hours.
NICD added that a further 220 COVID-19 related deaths have been reported, bringing total fatalities to 64 509 to date.
Vaccine Update:
For updates on the national vaccine programme, click here.
Meanwhile Western Cape premier Alan Winde has welcomed the easing of restrictions around restaurants and other businesses but says that some more “common-sense’ interventions should be introduced.
Responding to president Cyril Ramaphosa’s latest lockdown extension, Winde said that the government cannot allow the healthcare system to be overwhelmed and for residents to suffer the indignity of not having a bed, enough oxygen or a nurse to care for them when they are sick.
Similarly, it cannot allow job losses to continue as they are – ruining the lives of tens of thousands of people and, ultimately costing lives too, he said.
Winde pointed specifically to the hospitality sector which still faces gathering restrictions of 50 people, limitations on the sale of alcohol, and an evening curfew.
“I do believe that there are further changes possible in this space if we embrace innovation and ‘out of the box’ thinking; we should work with the industry to find other ways in which operations could be scaled up in a safe, well-distanced and well-ventilated environment.
“This innovation is also needed with the responsible sale of alcohol, which is an important revenue stream for hospitality businesses.”
One such measure would be allowing wine sales on wine farms and at wine cellars, and online wine sales with delivery, he said. This could help keep businesses afloat in a safe fashion over the next 14 days.
The premier also raised concerns around prolonged school closures, and especially on those in the foundation phase.