Covid-19 weekly round-up: Johnson & Johnson vaccine roll-out is resumed

Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize shared the latest statistics of Covid-19 cases from April 26 to 29.

During this period, there were 4 065 new cases of the virus recorded. Gauteng continues to have the highest rate of infection with 26.8% of total cases. There were 183 deaths during the same period. The Western Cape has the highest number of Covid-19-related deaths. As of April 29, there were also more than 10 million Covid-19 tests conducted.

As of April 29, the number of healthcare workers vaccinated under the Sisonke Protocol is 307 591.

In a press statement, Mkhize said the vaccination roll-out process resumed on April 28, after the roll-out of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine was paused due to concerns about blood clots. He said the suspension period gave scientists time to guide health professionals on the potential links between the vaccine and blood clots.

However, he said, “It has since been established there is a one-in-a-million chance of getting the clot after the vaccine and that it appears that women between the ages of 18 and 48 years old are particularly at risk. With such a low probability of developing a clot, all the regulators across the world have recommended the continued use of Johnson & Johnson.”

He added that South Africa will receive over 650 000 doses of Pfizer before May 17, with a further 325 560 arriving in the week of May 17. “We are therefore more than ready to begin phase two on time.”

Mkhize also said that there has been a surge in infections in the Northern Cape, the Free State and the North West. “We must continue to urge fellow citizens in all the provinces to adhere to basic health protocols – in particular, we must remind South Africans that the wearing of masks in public places is still compulsory under the Disaster Management Act.”