By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Minister of Health Dr Zweli Mkhize says the cumulative number of COVID-19 cases identified in South Africa is 1 584 064.
The number of tests conducted to date is 10 699 021. Of these 16 194 tests were conducted since the last report and the cumulative recoveries now stand at 1 507 778, representing a recovery rate of 95%. said Mkhize.
The minister added that a further 11 COVID-19 related deaths have been reported: Eastern Cape 1, Free State 5, Gauteng 1, Kwa-Zulu Natal 0, Limpopo 0, Mpumalanga 0, North West 0, Northern Cape 1 and Western Cape 3 which brings the total to 54 417 deaths.
Mkhize announced that the first batches of Pfizer vaccines will land at OR Tambo International Airport on Sunday evening, 2 May.
He confirmed in a statement on Sunday that 325, 260 doses will arrive at 11.45pm.
“Upon arrival, the entire batch will be transported initially to a central warehouse. Samples will be sent to the National Control Laboratory for quality assurance and, after release, will be distributed to the provinces.
“Following this initial delivery of Pfizer we are expecting approximately the same number of doses, ie 325,260, to arrive on a weekly basis to a total of over 1.3 million doses by the end of May. Thereafter the vaccine supply will increase to an average of 636,480 doses weekly from 31 May which will see us accumulating close to 4.5 million doses by the end of June.”
The vaccination of healthcare workers will continue with the Johnson and Johnson vaccines received earlier this year through the Sisonke Protocol. Mkhize called on healthcare workers and citizens over the age of 60 including traditional healers to register to get vaccinated.