Covid-19 round-up: Fifth wave looms as cases continue to climb
In Covid-19-related news this week, cases in South Africa continue to increase as we celebrated World Immunisation Week. The National Department of Health's message remains clear: get the jab.
Covid-19 positive cases are still rapidly increasing with an average of over 4 000 cases recorded daily this week. The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) reported 6 372 new Covid-19 cases on Wednesday. The increase represented a 21% positivity rate with the majority of new cases from Gauteng (49%), followed by Kwa-Zulu Natal (23%) and the Western Cape (14%).
According to the World Health Organization, Africa is seeing an increase in Covid-19 cases, with South Africa contributing the most number of positive cases.
World Immunisation Week
As part of World Immunisation Week (celebrated from April 24-30), the National Department of Health’s message remains clear: get the jab. According Our World in Data, 34.7 million doses have administered in South Africa with 18.3 million people fully vaccinated.
Latest Covid-19 cases
According to the latest statistics by the National Institute for Communicable Diseases, the total number of laboratory-confirmed cases is at 3 780 444 as of April 28. In the latest reporting cycle, 4 146 new cases were reported that indicates an 18.3% positivity rate.
A total of four deaths have been recorded in the last 24-48 hours, which brings the number of fatalities to 100 355.
Media briefing by health minister
Health Minister Dr Joe Phaahla and Deputy Health Minister Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo will brief the media today (April 29) on government’s efforts in the fight against Covid-19, as well as the national vaccination rollout programme.
The department also urged citizens to get their booster Covid-19 and flu jabs ahead of the winter season.
Researcher Ridhwaan Suliman states the facts
Council for Scientific and Industrial Research senior researcher Ridhwaan Suliman said over past week, the country’s cases have increased by 120% or doubled in six days.
*Notice: Coronavirus reporting at Caxton Local Media aims to combat fake news
Dear reader,
As your local news provider, we have the duty of keeping you factually informed on Covid-19 developments. As you may have noticed, mis- and disinformation (also known as ‘fake news’) is circulating online. Caxton Local Media is determined to filter through the masses of information doing the rounds and to separate truth from untruth, in order to keep you adequately informed. Local newsrooms follow a strict pre-publication fact-checking protocol. A national task team has been established to assist in bringing you credible news reports on Covid-19. Readers with any comments or queries may contact National Group Editor, Irma Green (irma@caxton.co.za)
Read original story on reviewonline.co.za
