Gauteng Premier David Makhura announced that Gauteng has hit the third wave of Covid-19.
As the number of Covid-19 infections rises in South Africa, health experts warn that one of the reasons for the resurgence in infections is declining adherence to recommended safety protocols.
After more than a year spent socially distancing, a study has found an overall drop in adherence to preventative measures.
According to Ask Afrika’s Covid-19 Tracker study, while 65 percent of of South Africans largely adhere to Covid-19 preventative measures including regularly washing hands, using sanitizers, mask wearing and social distancing, an alarming 35 percent of South Africans demonstrate limited adherence.
Of particular concern is the fact that this limited adherence group is least likely to observe behaviours pertaining to social distancing and isolating after testing positive for Covid-19 which means they are potential super spreaders of the virus.
Not only is this group less likely to trust the advice of official sources such as health experts, doctors, nurses and the World Health Organisation, they are also generally less trusting of vaccine related advice or opinions.
The Covid-19 Tracker study, a pro-bono study launched at the start of the lockdown in South Africa, regularly canvases the opinions of a demographically representative sample of South Africans in order to gain a better understanding of the socio-economic impact of the pandemic, lockdown and gradual re-opening of the economy on the country.
Nearly half of those surveyed said they experienced stigma against adhering to preventative measures, particularly against perceived unsociable behaviours such as social distancing and mask wearing. Of concern is the fact that the study found a stigmatisation against the use of hand sanitizer. In fact, the study recorded a 20 percent decrease in the use of hand sanitizer between February and March this year.
However, when soap and water is not available to wash hands, health experts are unanimous in recommending the use of hand sanitizers. Earlier this year the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) released a new standard for hand sanitizers which includes a minimum concentration of 70 percent alcohol.
Annette Devenish, marketing director at Infection Protection Products advised that officially certified sanitizers will bear the ‘SABS Approved’ mark on the product.
A SABS Approved mark means the product has been audited by the SABS and tested against criteria pertaining to a specific SANS specification. To obtain and use a SABS mark on a product does not simply mean it has been tested by the SABS. In addition the product must adhere to all specifications stipulated in the mark requirement which includes the use of correct ingredients and the correct labelling requirements.”
In the past year there have been numerous complaints around questionable sanitizers which is why it’s so important to check that sanitizers are certified, safe to use and provide the required protection against the coronavirus.
Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic many manufacturers included less than 70 percent alcohol in their sanitizing products.
“Not only have we always taken compliance and quality standards very seriously, but our sanitizing products included 80 percent alcohol even prior to the pandemic,” revealed Devenish.
As South Africa once again faces the prospect of another wave of Covid-19 infections, it will require a collective effort to maintain the necessary precautions.
If the past year has taught us anything, it is that we can each make a difference if we practice all the recommended safety guidelines, both to safeguard our own health and the health of those around us,” said Devenish.
Andrea Rademeyer, the CEO of Ask Afrika and the project lead on the Covid-19 Tracker study, added that despite society’s general fatigue with all things Covid-related, the fact that the number of infections is on the rise indicates that life is not back to normal.
“As we head into winter it is critical that we all practice preventative measures,” she said.
