Category: COVID-19 Corona Virus

South Africa is showing signs of declining COVID-19 cases, with 9 010 new cases reported in the last 24 hours.

This brings the total number of infections to 1 346 936 since the outbreak.

“Regrettably, we report a further 344 COVID-19 related deaths,” said Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize, on Monday.

Of the recent deaths, 91 are in KwaZulu-Natal, 88 from the Western Cape, 66 in the Eastern Cape and 63 in Gauteng.

Meanwhile, 13 are in the Northern Cape, 12 in Mpumalanga and 11 in Free State, which brings the tally to 37 449.

“We convey our condolences to the loved ones of the departed and thank the healthcare workers who treated these patients,” he expressed his condolences.

In addition, the recovery rate is sitting at 83% after 1 117 452 patients were healed from the respiratory disease.

The information is based on the 7 653 371 with 39 901 new tests conducted since the last report.

According to the World Health Organisation, there are 93 611 355 confirmed global cases of COVID-19, including 2 022 405 deaths, to date.

It is important to note that there is a difference between being fully recovered and being ready to come out of isolation.

The following criteria are specified for de-isolation of a person who tests positive for COVID-19:

• Symptomatic patients with mild disease (not requiring hospitalisation for Covid-19) can be de-isolated 10 days after the onset of their symptoms, provided their fever has resolved and their other symptoms are improving.
• Hospitalised patients with moderate-severe disease (who require hospitalisation due to COVID-19) can be de-isolated 10 days after achievement of clinical stability (i.e. from when they are not requiring supplemental oxygen and are otherwise clinically stable).
• Asymptomatic patients can be de-isolated 10 days after their test.
• Repeat PCR testing is NOT required in order to de-isolate a patient and is not recommended.

It is common for patients to continue to have symptoms for longer than the 10 days. Full recovery may take several weeks for some patients, especially for symptoms such as fatigue, cough and anosmia (loss of sense of smell).

Patients who are still symptomatic at the end of their isolation period can be de-isolated provided that their fever has resolved and their other symptoms have shown improvement. Patients admitted to hospital can continue their isolation period at home or at an isolation facility once clinical stability has been achieved.

Employees can return to work:
1. 10 days after symptom onset for cases of mild disease
2. 10 days after clinical stability (e.g. after oxygen stopped) for cases of severe disease

Note: PCR testing is not required for return to work (exception: if a person remains asymptomatic in quarantine after a high-risk exposure to a confirmed COVID-19 case, a PCR test should be done when assessing the employee for early return to work on day 8 post-exposure).

The distinction between the isolation period and returning to work
The recommended isolation time is the period during which a patient is still considered infectious. This should be distinguished from the point at which a patient is medically well enough to return to work. Some patients, especially those who have had severe disease, may require to be booked off sick for longer than the above isolation periods.

The Department of Health has warned that high-dose blood thinners may harm critically ill COVID-19 patients.

This comes after recent evidence from a large randomised controlled clinical trial – a collaboration of three international groups – revealed that high-dose compared to low-dose blood thinners did not help critically ill ICU patients.

“This new evidence also suggests that high-dose blood thinners may harm critically ill patients. Because of these findings, the trial oversight committees have recommended stopping further enrolment of critically ill patients to the trial,” said the department in a statement.

However, no data is available yet to review these findings.

“The clinical trial design is strong and the National Essential Medicines List sub-committee on COVID-19 recommends against the use of high-dose blood thinners in critically ill patients with COVID-19,” said the department.

Patients with severe COVID-19 symptoms may develop extensive blood clotting, which can cause serious health problems and death. “For this reason, many guidelines, including the South African guidelines have recommended the use of blood thinners (usually low-molecular weight heparin) for all hospitalised patients with COVID-19,” reads the statement.

Blood thinners can be given in two different doses: low-dose to reduce the risk of blood clots developing and high-dose to treat blood clots that have already developed.

“The risk of bleeding is a lot higher with high-dose blood thinners. High-dose blood thinners have been recommended for the most severely ill COVID-19 patients, even if there is no proof that blood clots have formed, because it is difficult to exclude small blood clots,” the department said.

In the absence of contraindications, low-dose blood thinners are still recommended for all hospitalised patients, as recommended in the rapid review3 and Standard Treatment Guidelines and Essential Medicines List.

While the country has seen some promising signs of declining new COVID-19 cases compared to the previous week, the second wave continues to put a massive burden on the healthcare system.

This is according to the Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize, who was speaking during the opening address on the update on COVID-19 and the new variant 501.V2 on Monday.

The Minister said the decrease in infections could be credited to many factors, including enhanced physical distancing facilitated by lockdown regulations.

Meanwhile, he found it encouraging that despite the new Coronavirus variant that carries mutations, citizens are still able to protect themselves with the “armour” that government has established.

“We must thank South Africans for adhering to the regulations, difficult and frustrating as it may be. Every sacrifice made has saved lives and we appreciate the patriotism South Africans are displaying to protect the sanctity of life,” he said.

However, Mkhize raised concerns about the healthcare system that continues to see an uptick in COVID-19 patients.

The recent data shows that there has been an 18.3% upward trend on 16 January compared to the last seven days, with close to 18 000 who were admitted, while 2 472 were in the intensive care unit.

Meanwhile, 1 117 of these were on ventilators and 5 850 requiring oxygen.

“This is a significant additional burden to the system.”

He has saluted healthcare workers for their stamina and courage as they continue to battle it out in the forefront.

“We understand the significant risks that you take every day, yet we have witnessed sheer commitment by the professions in health care and a willingness to engage in the pursuit of excellence in health care delivery. We thank you and appreciate you during this extraordinary time.”

Mkhize believes that as the nation that carries 85% of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region burden, it is incumbent to take leadership in strategies for COVID-19 combat.

He has thanked the local scientists positioning the country as a world leader in genomic surveillance and emergency response.

New variant

COVID-19 Ministerial Advisory Committee Chairperson, Professor Salim Abdool Karim, said one of three tests are coming positive as the country battles the second wave, higher than the first wave.

“This drastic change is largely driven by the virus that certainly biologically looks like it can attach to human cells more efficiently,” he explained.

Meanwhile, according to Karim, the numbers of additional infections are coming down, with the Western Cape and Eastern Cape showing indications of easing off.

“But we’re still in the throes of the second wave,” he added.

The Professor said the daily admissions during the resurgence was more than double than any level during the first wave owing to the new variant.

“We know subjectively, we know it anecdotally, from what we find in our own families and neighbourhoods and now we can see the impact it has overall within the provinces.”

Meanwhile, he said the virus also spreads much faster.

Karim also cited a study that shows that 501.V2 is 50% more transmissible than the previous variants found in South Africa.

Also, in the Western Cape, it travelled 50% faster, taking 54 days to reach 100 000 people compared to 107 days in the first wave.

“In KwaZulu-Natal, it’s 39% faster, it took 54 days in the first wave and 33 days in the second wave,” he explained.

The current studies also indicate that while the virus may be putting pressure in hospitals, it does not cause severe disease, the Professor said.

Is there evidence where the COVID-19 vaccines are effective against this variant?

“I’m so sorry to tell you, not yet,” the Professor said during his presentation.

However, many scientists across the world are working on this, he added.

“We don’t yet have an answer but we’re expecting an answer very soon.

“There’s much to speculate on this, but we want to see actual data but it’s not yet available.”

He is predicting that the vaccine rollout is not going to be easy or quick, but a mammoth logistical task that will need all hands on deck.

“To vaccinate our healthcare workers, elderly, our patients with comorbidities amongst others as soon as we can. That’s our challenge, to make a difference.”

In addition, Karim has assured citizens that the country is looking at vaccines that have a high efficacy rate.

The Health Minister has assured the essential workers that government will provide vaccines.

“The programme will prioritise you, as our frontline workers, from this first quarter of the year. We will then continue to rollout inoculation to all parts of our country during the second quarter onwards. I give you this undertaking – we will not renege on this commitment,” Mkhize vowed.

The Minister has pleaded with citizens as the country gears up for massive inoculation to continue to adhere to the regulations.

“This will be crucial to ensure we can maintain the decline we are observing, which will be threatened by the increased movement of people across provinces and into places of congregation,” he stressed, adding that everyone should play their part and protect one another.

South Africa’s death toll due to Coronavirus has now surpassed the 37 000 mark after 254 people passed away on Sunday.

According to the latest data, 72 deaths were recorded in the Western Cape, 59 in Gauteng, 40 in KwaZulu-Natal, 26 in the North West, 22 in the Eastern Cape, 16 in Mpumalanga, 13 in Free State and six in the Northern Cape.

This brings the total to 37 105 deaths since the outbreak.

Meanwhile, the number of infections has risen to a cumulative 1 337 926 with 12 267 new cases identified since the last report.

Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize, said there are 202 380 COVID-19 cases.

A bulk of active cases can be found in KwaZulu-Natal sitting at 64 016, followed by Gauteng with 45 363, while 40 437 can be found in the Western Cape. Meanwhile, the North West has 13 652 people who are currently infected, 10 064 in Free State, 8 528 in Mpumalanga, 8 461 in Limpopo, 7 390 in Eastern Cape and 4 469 in the Northern Cape.

In addition, the recovery rate stands at 82.1% after 1 098 441 patients beat COVID-19.

“The cumulative total tests conducted to date is 7 613 470 with 54 696 new tests conducted since the last report.”

According to the World Health Organisation, there have been 93 194 922 confirmed global cases of COVID-19, including 2 014 729 deaths.

KwaZulu-Natal cases surge

Meanwhile, KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sihle Zikalala said the province recorded 29 147 new infections in the last seven days.

“The infection rate continues to increase particularly in the following districts eThekwini, UMgungundlovu, UThukela, Amajuba, Zululand, UMkhanyakude, UMzinyathi.”

However, he said the numbers came down slightly by 3 000 on Wednesday last week.

“We are not treating this a trend as yet, due to the fact that the new variant is bringing surprises. As they say, one swallow does not make a summer.”

He raised concern that the province continues to rank number one in the country in terms of the number of active cases, while it has the second-highest total number of laboratory-confirmed cases countrywide after Gauteng.

“We are ranked the fourth highest countrywide in terms of fatalities with a total of 6 318 deaths.”

According to the Premier, eThekwini has contributed 44% of the reported deaths, which stand at 2 769.

The median age for the deaths was 62, while more than half of the deceased were female at 54%.

He said of these deaths, 4 826 (77%) had comorbidities, with the most commonly recorded comorbidities include hypertension (25%), diabetes mellitus (22%), cardiac diseases (5%) and retroviral infection (5%).

Meanwhile, the number of deaths with no recorded comorbidities is rising.

“Worryingly, these statistics are telling us that a whole 33% of the deceased patients had no underlying illnesses.”

Meanwhile, 11 419 healthcare workers have been infected with COVID-19 in the public sector since the beginning of the pandemic in KwaZulu-Natal, while 107 did not make it.

The majority of the infected are nurses (55%), with doctors accounting for 6%, and the rest are attributed to other categories of staff.

As of 15 January 2021, the province had 4 975 patients admitted hospitals, of which 2 869 were in private hospitals. Of those admitted, 524 patients (11%) required intensive care services.

Zikalala said private hospitals had more patients in the intensive care unit.

While the number of cases and deaths are increasing, Zikalala said hospitals are not yet full.

“We have increased our bed capacity and oxygen supply,” he said on Sunday.

He said out 2 905 available COVID-19 isolation beds, 2 082 or 72% were occupied.

“And from a total of 115 ICU beds allocated in the public sector, 53% were occupied. We have 823 beds available in our health facilities within the province and additional beds in our field hospitals and private facilities such as lodges and hotels.”

The African Vaccine Acquisition Task Team (AVATT) has confirmed the acquisition of provisional 270 million vaccine doses for African countries, with at least 50 million being available for the crucial period of April to June 2021.

The 10-member AVATT, which was established by African Union Chair, President Cyril Ramaphosa in August, on Thursday confirmed this during a special meeting of the AU Bureau of the Assembly. The AVATT was established to ensure that the continent would be able to secure sufficient vaccine doses to achieve herd immunity.

In a statement, the Presidency said the vaccines will be supplied by Pfizer, AstraZeneca (through an independent licensee, Serum Institute of India) and Johnson & Johnson.

“These efforts complement the COVAX facility, a World Health Organisation and Gavi Vaccine Alliance initiative to help low- and middle-income countries secure access to vaccines on a fair and equitable basis,” reads the statement.

President Ramaphosa said: “From the onset of this pandemic, our focus as a continent has been on collaboration and collective effort. We have held steadfastly to the principle that no country should be left behind.

“With this in mind, we have not only campaigned vigorously for changes through all the available international forums, but we have taken the additional step to independently secure vaccines using our own limited resources as member states.

“As a result of our own efforts we have so far secured a commitment of a provisional amount of 270 million vaccines from three major suppliers: Pfizer, AstraZeneca (through Serum Institute of India) and Johnson & Johnson.”

Arrangements have been made with Afreximbank to support member states who want to access these vaccines based on a whole-of-Africa approach. Afreximbank will, upon receipt of firm orders from member states, provide advance procurement commitment guarantees of up to US$2 billion to the manufacturers on behalf of member states.

Upon delivery of the vaccines, member states may pay using their internal resources or access an instalment payment facility of up to five years offered by Afreximbank.

The Presidency said there is also close collaboration between the AU team and the World Bank to ensure that member states are able to access about US$5 billion either to buy more vaccines or pay for delivery of vaccines committed on their behalf by Afreximbank.

“These endeavours aim to supplement the COVAX efforts, and to ensure that as many dosages of vaccine as possible become available throughout Africa as soon as possible,” adds the statement.

It is hoped that donors will step up further and ensure that more vaccines are provided through COVAX, as any new debt burden on member states is difficult in the long term.

While the COVAX initiative is vital to Africa’s response, the African Union is concerned that the COVAX volumes to be released between February and June may not extend beyond the needs of frontline health care workers, and may thus not be enough to contain the ever-increasing toll of the pandemic in Africa.

Another challenge is that the target of 600 million doses from COVAX will cover only about 300 million people across the African continent, which is only about 20% of the population.

Scientists at the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) have advised that countries need to reach at least 60% of the population to substantially slow the spread of the disease.

The AVATT team continues to engage other suppliers to secure more vaccines.
Given the virulent nature of the COVID pandemic, it is clear that a threat to one nation and continent is a threat to all.

To successfully eradicate the global threat of the disease, it is critical that a majority of citizens of all nations get urgent and equitable access to the COVID-19 vaccines as soon as possible.

President Ramaphosa said: “I wish to commend the members of the Africa Vaccine Acquisition Task Team, Afreximbank, Africa CDC and all those who have been working tirelessly to secure these vaccines for the people of Africa. There is a long road ahead, but as Africa we are now seeing progress in our shared effort to defeat this disease”.

COVID-19 is showing no signs of slowing down in South Africa, with the death toll now exceeding 35 000.

The Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize, reported a new record for most COVID-19 deaths in a single day since the outbreak.

This after 806 people lost their lives to the respiratory disease on Wednesday.

According to the latest data, 235 fatalities occurred in KwaZulu-Natal, 211 in Gauteng, 151 in the Western Cape and 150 in the Eastern Cape.

Twenty-four people died in Free State, 14 each in Limpopo and Mpumalanga, while seven were recorded in the Northern Cape.

The latest figure pushes the death toll to 35 140 since the first case was recorded in March last year.

“We convey our condolences to the loved ones of the departed and thank the healthcare workers who treated these patients,” said Mkhize.

Also, 18 558 patients were confirmed to have contracted the virus since the last 24 hours, which brings the growing number of COVID-19 cases to 1 278 303.

Meanwhile, the active cases stand at 212 233, of which 69 599 patients are based in KwaZulu-Natal, followed by Gauteng with 47 919, while 42 473 are found in the Western Cape.

The North West currently has 12 090 active cases, Limpopo 11 620, Free State 9 045, Mpumalanga 8 621, Eastern Cape 7 050 and Northern Cape 3 816.

Mkhize said the total number of tests conducted to date is 7 358 741, with 71 681 performed since the last reporting cycle.

“Our recoveries now stand at 1 030 930, representing a recovery rate of 80.6%,” he added.

According to the World Health Organisation, there have been 90 335 008 confirmed global cases of COVID-19, with 1 954 336 deaths, to date.

The Gauteng Provincial Government is gearing up for the worst-case scenario as the second wave of COVID-19 infections rears its ugly head in the province.

Addressing the media on Tuesday, Premier David Makhura said Gauteng is now the second most affected province in the country in terms of active Coronavirus cases after KwaZulu-Natal.

The province has 50 000 patients who are currently battling with COVID-19, while hospital admissions are increasing rapidly.

“Active cases are an important measure of the pace of the pandemic,” he explained.

Also, over 30% of the people who are taking the COVID-19 test come back positive.

“The private sector is also not coping, we’re coordinating and working together in a number of instances we’ve also admitted some of the private patients in the public sector.”

Meanwhile, the rate of those who are succumbing to the novel Coronavirus is also rising.

It is for this reason the province is now doubling its efforts to prevent the further spread of COVID-19 and pleading with citizens follow the health protocols as Gauteng continues to be a hotspot.

The province’s three metros, City of Ekurhuleni, City of Johannesburg and City of Tshwane are also on high alert.

In the last four days, the rate of increases has surpassed the highest daily infections during the first peak, reaching close to 7 000 new cases on Friday last week.

“We have doubled the numbers in the last seven days and is double to what it was a week before.”

Makhura said they are also seeing many young people who are being hospitalised due to COVID-19 complications.

“We haven’t seen the impact of level 3 restrictions, the scientists say it takes a little bit of time to start seeing a positive impact,” he said.

However, he has welcomed the alcohol restrictions that led to a drop in the number of trauma admissions.

While the additional infections are surging, the Premier said the hospitals have not reached maximum capacity.

However, he said the latest figures are concerning.

“There’s no part of the province that is being spared even though the number of infections may be fewer in certain areas.”

In the meantime, the province is embarking on hotspot tracking, while doing tracing, testing and isolating people.

He is also advocating for behavioural change to contain the spread of the virus.

The province is upscaling care facilities by increasing the number of beds, retaining contract healthcare workers and improving access to oxygen.

According to Makhura, 220 patients are currently on ventilation in Gauteng hospitals, while 384 are on oxygen support.

Makhura said the province has an additional 2 419 beds and will have an extra 525 by the end of January.

“As we have more infections, we’re going to experience more hospital admissions. We’re not even at the peak,” he warned.

He predicts that Gauteng will also need the Nasrec Field Hospital to be fully operational.

“The conclusion is that we have better capacity at the moment to face the second wave than we had in terms of the number of beds, as well as personnel and health technologists.”

However, indicators show that the province will need all hands on deck.

“We’d like to appeal to communities to help our healthcare system by continuing to sanitise hands, wear the mask, social distance and by staying away from funerals unless it’s a family funeral.”

Meanwhile, Makhura said Gauteng has enough personal protective equipment for the frontline workers after a two-month shortage last year.

However, he said the province is now back on track.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced that government will deploy a comprehensive vaccination strategy that aims to reach all parts of the country.

Addressing the nation on Monday on the country’s progress in containing the COVID-19 pandemic, the President described the task as the “largest and most complex logistical undertaking in our country’s history”.

As of this week, South African has recorded over 1.2 million COVID-19 infections and 33 000 related deaths. The country is currently experiencing its second wave of infections.

“It will be far more extensive than our HIV treatment programme or even our national, provincial and local elections in terms of the number of people who have to be reached within a short space of time,” said President Ramaphosa.

The task will require the active involvement of all spheres of government, all sectors of society and all citizens and residents of the country.

The three-pronged strategy includes, firstly, the acquiring of enough vaccine doses to reach herd immunity.

In this regard, the President said the country was in the process of procuring vaccines through three channels: through the World Health Organisation’s COVAX facility, through the African Union’s vaccine initiative and through direct engagements with vaccine manufacturers.

“South Africa is part of the global COVAX facility, in which countries pool their resources to support the development of vaccines with a view to ensure that all countries receive an equitable supply of effective vaccines,” he said.

The country is expected to receive vaccine doses for around 10 percent of the population through COVAX.

“Through intensive engagement with vaccine manufacturers, the Task Team has done tremendous work to secure vaccine doses for countries on the continent,” he said. “The South African government has also been engaging directly with several vaccine manufacturers for over six months.”

Added the President: “Given the massive global demand for vaccines and the vastly greater purchasing power of wealthier countries, we are exploring all avenues to get as many vaccine doses as soon as possible.”

While there are several promising negotiations with a number of different manufacturers that are yet to be concluded, South Africa has to date secured 20 million doses to be delivered mainly in the first half of the year.

Government will make further announcements as it concludes negotiations with vaccine manufacturers.

The second part of the strategy, the President said, is to identify the priority groups that need to be vaccinated with doses throughout the year.

In Phase 1, with the first batch of vaccines, 1.2 million frontline health workers will be prioritised.

“In Phase 2, when more vaccines arrive, we will prioritise essential workers such as teachers, police, municipal workers and other frontline personnel. We will also prioritise people in institutions like old age homes, shelters and prisons, people over 60 years of age and adults with co-morbidities. The total number we plan to reach in this phase is around 16 million people,” he said.

In Phase 3, with increased manufacturer supplies, government will then vaccinate the remaining adult population of approximately 22.5 million people.

“We will then have reached around 40 million South Africans, which is considered to approximate herd immunity,” he said.

The third part of the strategy, said the President, is to distribute the vaccines throughout the country and to administer them to those who have been identified to receive them.

Government has set a target of achieving herd immunity through a massive vaccination programme as it charts a path to recovery.

“We have always said that an effective vaccine will be a game-changer. Vaccines offer to the peoples of the world a means to control the Coronavirus pandemic. A person who is vaccinated has a much reduced chance of becoming ill and dying from COVID-19,” he said.

‘Herd immunity’ or ‘population immunity’ is when enough of the population is immune to the virus to provide indirect protection to those who are not immune, bringing the spread of the virus under control.

While the actual level needed for herd immunity is not known, scientists have estimated that South Africa will likely reach herd immunity once around 67 per cent (40 million) of the population are immune.

Government has established a national coordinating committee, which brings together key government departments, the private sector and other stakeholders to oversee the implementation of our national strategy.

The President said the state will administer vaccinations through hospitals, clinics, outreach services and mobile clinics, and private settings such as doctor’s offices, pharmacies and work places.

“An inclusive partnership has been formed between government, medical schemes and the private sector to support the acquisition, funding and distribution of vaccines,” he said.

President Ramaphosa welcomed the contributions made by civil society, academics and others towards the development of an effective national strategy, even when such contributions have been critical of government.

“We are integrating the full resources and capacity of our country into a single effort directed at making vaccines available. This collaboration, which is among the most significant of its kind in our history, is essential as we work together in solidarity to win the war against COVID-19,” he said.

Vaccine safety

Addressing those who are sceptical about vaccines, the President said there is much disinformation and conspiracy theories being spread about the COVID-19 vaccines.

This was despite vaccines having been used over the years to eradicate diseases such as small pox and polio.

“Children get vaccinated routinely against many diseases such as mumps, measles rubella, and travellers are often vaccinated against diseases like yellow fever,” said the President.

He reiterated that every vaccine that will be used in government’s programme will have to be approved by the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority, which applies stringent scientific standards to ensure the safety and efficacy of any drug or treatment.

“South Africa’s vaccine strategy is well underway. Understandably, we all want to know when the vaccines will be arriving. As we work to secure the supply of sufficient doses in the midst of a huge global demand, we will do everything possible to ensure that the process is transparent and that all information is available,” he said.

He urged the public to be part of the monumental undertaking to roll out the Coronavirus vaccine.

“Although it will be difficult, complex and often frustrating, it is vital that we do this together, for the sake of our country and for the well-being of all our people,” he said.

COVID-19 infections are not showing signs of slowing down as South Africa grapples with the second wave.

On Monday, South Africa’s COVID-19 cases jumped by 15 046, which brings the tally to 1 246 643 since the outbreak.

Also, active cases are growing rapidly, with 239 799 patients currently infected.

KwaZulu-Natal remains home to the most active cases, standing at 93 376, followed by Gauteng with 50 501, while 48 416 cases can be found in the Western Cape.

The North West has 10 573 active cases, Limpopo 9 964, Free State 8 780, Mpumalanga 7 879, Eastern Cape 6 538 and the Northern Cape 3 772.

Meanwhile, the death toll has now reached 33 579 after 416 people succumbed to the respiratory disease.

According to Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize, the Western Cape reported 176 fatalities, followed by the Eastern Cape with 163.

Thirty-eight deaths occurred in KwaZulu-Natal, 30 in the Free State, four each in Mpumalanga and North West, and one in the Northern Cape.

“We convey our condolences to the loved ones of the departed and thank the healthcare workers who treated the deceased,” said Mkhize.

The recovery rate stands at 78.1% after 973 265 people beat COVID-19.

Meanwhile, 7 236 389 tests have been conducted since the pandemic, of which 52 496 were performed since the last report.

The World Health Organisation is reporting 89 048 345 confirmed cases of COVID-19, including 1 930 265 deaths, to date.

Taking precautions

Addressing the nation last night, President Cyril Ramaphosa said South Africa recorded nearly 190 000 new Coronavirus infections, with more than 4 600 COVID-19 deaths since New Year’s Day.

“New infections in KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape have grown fast and have now far exceeded the peak during the first wave,” he said, adding that infections in Gauteng are growing and expected to increase further as holidaymakers return home.

He also mentioned that over 15 000 people with COVID-19 are in hospitals nationally, while about a third are on oxygen.

Ramaphosa said these admissions are placing a considerable strain on health facilities, personnel and equipment.

The President has since called on citizens to observe all health protocols.

“If anything, the new variant means that we must be more diligent, more compliant and more consistent in following the necessary health guidelines.”

In addition, Ramaphosa also announced that the nation has 20 million doses of vaccines to be delivered mainly in the first half of the year.

“We are now in the centre of the storm. We do not know how much longer it will last or how much worse it will get. But we know what we need to do to weather the storm.”

He urged everyone to protect themselves and those around them as the country remains on adjusted alert level 3 lockdown.