By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD),reports 1,868 new COVID-19 cases that have been identified in South Africa, which brings the total number of laboratory-confirmed cases to 3,690,291.
The majority of new cases today are from Gauteng (34%), followed by Western Cape (24%). Kwa-Zulu Natal accounted for 16%; Limpopo and North West each accounted for 6% respectively; Mpumalanga accounted for 5%; Free State accounted for 4%; Eastern Cape accounted for 3%; and Northern Cape accounted for 1% of today’s new cases.
This increase represents a 6.5% positivity rate.
The proportion of positive new cases/total new tested today is 6.5%, which is the same as yesterday (6.5%). The 7-day average is 6.0% today, which is lower than yesterday (6.1%).
Due to the ongoing audit exercise by the National Department of Health (NDoH), there may be a backlog of COVID-19 mortality cases reported. Today, the NDoH reports 25 deaths and of these, 10 occurred in the past 24 – 48 hours. This brings the total fatalities to 99,681 to date.
Meanwhile Cabinet acknowledged the country’s efforts in the fight against COVID-19, but cautioned that the battle is not yet over.
Cabinet urged all people in South Africa to remain vigilant and continue protecting themselves against the spread of the deadly virus.
“Cabinet is pleased that almost 32 million COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered and that over 42 percent of our adult population is fully vaccinated,” Cabinet said in a statement.
However, unvaccinated people still remain unprotected against COVID-19 and pose a health risk to themselves and those around them.
Cabinet said vaccination remains the best way to fight COVID-19, and called on everyone aged 12 years and above to vaccinate without further delay.
“Booster shots are now freely available for most people and Cabinet calls on those who are eligible to get boosted as soon as possible.
“We must also continue to wear masks that cover both the mouth and nose, wash or sanitise our hands frequently, keep a safe social distance and ensure adequate ventilation by opening windows, “Cabinet said.