By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The NICD reports 1,087 new COVID-19 cases that have been identified in South Africa, which brings the total number of laboratory-confirmed cases to 3,987,979.
This increase represents a 7.8% positivity rate.
The majority of new cases today are from Gauteng (37%), followed by Western Cape (21%). Kwa-Zulu Natal accounted for 16%; Eastern Cape accounted for 9%; Free State accounted for 5%; Mpumalanga and North West each accounted for 4% respectively; Northern Cape accounted for 2%; and Limpopo accounted for 1% of today’s new cases.
The proportion of positive new cases/total new tested today is 7.8%, and is higher than yesterday (4.1%). The 7-day average is 8.1% today, and is higher than yesterday (7.9%).
Today, the NDoH reports 20 deaths and of these 3 deaths occurred in the past 24 to 48 hours. The cumulative COVID-19 deaths are 101,640 to date. 25,618,427 tests have been conducted in both public and private sectors.
The government is co nsidering lifting remaining Covid restrictions as cases in the country continue to remain flat.
In a letter published on social media, health minister Joe Phaahla has asked provincial health authorities for their views on whether South Africa should repeal its Covid-19 regulations.
The department of health has confirmed the legitimacy of the letter, noting that is a statutory requirement that such consultations take place before regulations are promulgated or withdrawn.
Specific restrictions which will be discussed as part of the consultations include:
-Mask-wearing no longer needs to be in place;
-Restrictions on gatherings are no longer necessary;
-Entry limitations (Covid certificate) no longer need to be in place at certain venues.
Mask rules are being eased globally, in many parts of Europe and the US. And Bloomberg reported that the European Union is relaxing its guidance for mask-wearing on flights as many airlines have already abandoned those rules with Covid-19 concerns easing.