Health experts and government officials in South Africa have said that the country has passed the peak of its third wave of Covid-19 infections, nevertheless there will not be a relaxation of lockdown regulations anytime soon.
In the last 24 hours there has been a spike in Covid-19 cases, with a total of 14,271 new cases and 473 deaths reported.
The cumulative number of Covid-19 cases identified in South Africa is 2,568,511, and the cumulative number of recoveries now stands at 2,344,896, with a recovery rate of 91.3%.
In a presentation on Friday, 13 August, newly-appointed health minister Dr Joe Phaahla said that as the third wave is still ongoing, South Africans should not expect a relaxation in restrictions.
“This is no time to relax the restrictions, therefore as the Department of Health, we will in no way be recommending to the National Coronavirus Command Council or Cabinet for a relaxation of the restrictions at this stage,” Minister Phaahla said.
Vaccine roll-out
The Department of Health has set a target to vaccinate at least 70% – 90% (between 28 million and 36 million people) of the adult population by December 2021.
To date the country has now reached a landmark of over 9.1 million vaccines administered.
From September the government will open vaccines to people between 18 – 35.