New Covid-19 variant under NICD microscope
The high number of cases in KwaZulu-Natal and new variant C.1.2 make the headlines this week.
The new Covid-19 variant, C.1.2, first identified in May in Gauteng and Mpumalanga, is being closely monitored by scientists.
The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) says on its official website that while the C.1.2 lineage shares a few common mutations with the Beta and Delta variants, it has a number of additional mutations.
“We expect new variants to continue to emerge, wherever the virus is spreading. Vaccination remains critical to protecting those in our communities at high risk of hospitalisation and death,” says the NICD.
The government has set its sights on vaccinating 70% of the population by December, and as of September 2, 13 112 268 people had been vaccinated.
Two weeks ago, when vaccination sites first opened their doors to people over the age of 18, there was an uptake in figures, with around 250 000 vaccines being administered across the country in a single day.
Infection rates this week remained relatively constant, with the majority of new cases in KwaZulu-Natal, which accounted for almost a third of the new cases yesterday (September 2), and the Western Cape, which accounted for 20%. Gauteng, which was leading in terms of case predominance at the start of the third wave, has seen a decline of cases, and as of September 2, accounted for only 8% of the new cases.
Minister in the Presidency Mondli Gungubele announced today (September 3) that the national state of disaster and current Alert Level 3 protocols will remain in effect until at least October 15.
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