The number of Covid-19 cases saw a slight increase this week with an average of 1 088.4 new cases over the last five days.
5 442 new cases were recorded between 7 to 12 March with Wednesday, 10 March, recording the highest number of new cases at 1 477, bringing the total number of positive cases to 1 525 648 as of 11 March.
An increase in cases led Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize to warn South Africans not to let their guard down when it comes to safety measures set out during level 1 amid a looming third wave over the Easter period.
Mkhize, who spoke during an oral question and answer session in the National Assembly on Wednesday, said the wearing of masks, sanitising and social distancing remains crucial in delaying any resurgence. “We are still living with Covid-19. The timing of when the third wave arises is in the hands of South Africans. Our behaviour determines when the wave of infection will arise,” he said.
The country recorded 463 new deaths over the past five days, at an average of 92.6 deaths. The highest number of daily deaths was recorded on Monday, 8 March with 125 deaths reported.
As the vaccination programme continues, 594 043 health workers were vaccinated under the Sinsonke protocol at an average of 118 808.6 healthcare workers, daily. During the session, Mkhize noted that the rate of vaccination was limited by the delivery rate of the vaccines and anticipated that the number of vaccines will rapidly increase between April and June.
“We will then be in a position to escalate the numbers of people vaccinated. We will do everything in our power to continue to reach as many people as possible with a target of more than 40 million by the end of the year,” he said.
Kwa Zulu-Natal remains the province with the highest number of active cases, recording a total of 7 880 as of 11 March. The Western Cape has the second-highest number of active cases at 5 216.
South Africa’s total deaths stand at 51 110, with the Western Cape recording the highest number (11 334) and the Eastern Cape, second (11 321).
Recoveries stand at 1 447 503, with a recovery rate of 94.8%.
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