By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD),reports 263 new COVID-19 cases that have been identified in South Africa, which brings the total number of laboratory-confirmed cases to 4 000 894.
The National Department of Health reports 13 deaths, and of these, 1 occurred in the past 24 – 48 hours. This brings the total fatalities to 101,935 to date.
The Minister of Health, Dr Joe Phaahla, is currently in isolation after testing positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday.
National Health Department spokesperson, Foster Mohale, said Phaahla tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday after experiencing minor symptoms.
Phaahla will continue with his official duties from home for a period of seven days. The Minister of Health has received two doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, which he believes has boosted his immunity and prevented severe disease, according to Foster.
The Department of Health has now distributed 37 044 632 COVID-19 vaccine doses, 13 651 of which were given since the last reporting cycle.
Data show that 20 208 298 adults are now jabbed, while 2 614 546 vaccine shots were distributed to children between the ages of 12 and 17.
The department would like to remind the public that lifting the Covid-19 restrictions doesn’t mean the pandemic is over, hence vaccination services remain accessible at all times at selected sites, “Mohale said.
Four weeks ago the health department repealed regulations regarding the wearing of masks as well as a regulation on the numbers permitted at a gathering and rules around vaccinations for people entering the country.