Covid-19 update: 7,740 new cases identified

As of Sunday evening, 7,740 new Covid-19 cases had been identified by the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) after a total of 45,534 tests were conducted in the last 24-hour period.

According to the NICD, this represents a 17.0% positivity rate.

A further 134 Covid-related deaths had been reported during the same period bringing total fatalities to 81,595.

The institute further reported that the majority of new cases identified are from KwaZulu-Natal (29%), followed by Western Cape (22%).

Eastern Cape accounted for 15% of cases while Gauteng Province accounted for 8%.

Northern Cape accounted for 7%, Free State and Mpumalanga accounted for 6% each while North West accounted for 4% and Limpopo Province accounted for 2% of Sunday’s new cases.

In addition, 127 hospital admissions had been recorded bringing the total amount of Covid patients in both public and private hospitals to 13,090.

Covid-19 vaccines: Gauteng reaches 3 million mark

Gauteng reached a record total of three million Covid-19 vaccines this week, bringing the total of fully vaccinated people in the province to 1,310,372. 

On Friday alone, the Gauteng health department said over 75,000 jabs were administered. 

Although hesitant to celebrate just yet, Gauteng health MEC Nomathemba Mokgethi said there had been a consistent, albeit slight, decrease in daily Covid-19 cases in the province and the country over the past week.

Months ago, Gauteng was seen as the epicentre of the virus. 

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Wave overlap possible 

The department warned there was always a risk of a resurgence of infections, and that government remained concerned that the lingering third wave could overlap with the fourth wave.

“We still need to move with speed to vaccinate as many people as possible ahead of the anticipated fourth wave of Covid-19,” Mokgethi urged. 

To simplify the process of receiving a vaccine even more, the department reminded residents all Gauteng vaccine sites, both private and public, were accepting walk-ins, regardless of whether people were registered on the EVDS or not. 

Those who have already received their first of the two-dose Pfizer vaccine are also reminded to return for their second jab 42 days after the first. 

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Compiled by Kaunda Selisho