COVID-19: South Africa has PASSED fourth wave, says Government

Just two months after the Omicron variant of COVID-19 sparked the fourth wave, government reckons the peak may have finally been surpassed. The National Coronavirus Command Council (NCCC) and the President’s Coordinating Council (PCC), received an update on the country’s response to the fourth wave.

Health experts have consistently said that the fourth wave was not as intense as the previous waves, as cases were lower and hospital admissions were not as severe. Added to that was the fact more people had been vaccinated against COVID-19.

The current trajectory has even prompted government to lift its contentious lockdown curfew. In a statement, Minister in the Presidency Mondli Gungubele says cases declined in all provinces except the Western Cape and Eastern Cape.

“The information gathered through the system used by the Department of Health has reported a 29.7% decrease in the number of new cases detected in the week ending 25 December 2021 (89,781), compared to the number of new cases detected in the previous week (127,753). All indicators suggest the country may have passed the peak of the fourth wave at a national level”

Minister in the Presidency Mondli Gungubele

COVID-19: LOWER HOSPITALISATIONS FROM OMICRON VARIANT

In addition, Mondli Gungubele says that all provinces have also seen a drop in hospital admissions, with the exception of the Western Cape. This is particularly in relation to recent COVID-19 cases from the Omicron variant.

“While the Omicron variant is highly transmissible, there has been lower rates of hospitalisation than in previous waves. This means that the country has a spare capacity for admission of patients even for routine health services. There is a marginal increase in the number of deaths in all the provinces”

Minister in the Presidency Mondli Gungubele

Gungubele has further encouraged South Africans to get themselves vaccinated and reminded them to continue applying the necessary protocols.

“Parents are reminded to support their children aged 12 years and older to use this opportunity to vaccinate before schools open. This will avoid learners losing school time as a result of testing positive or as a result of contact with people infected with COVID-19,” Gungubele said.

“Government wishes to commend all South Africans who have observed the health regulations and protocols over the festive season. Government urges everyone to continue to act cautiously and responsibly over the new year and for the remainder of the holiday season”

Minister in the Presidency Mondli Gungubele