The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), a National Health Laboratory Service division, states that it continues to observe a sustained increase in the number of laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases in South Africa.
On Wednesday, 2 June 2021, NICD Acting Executive Director Professor Adrian Puren noted a sharp increase in daily cases, with 5 782 new cases being reported. The percent testing positive each day (i.e. the number of positive results out of the total daily tests) has also been steadily increasing – this reached 12.7% on Wednesday nationally).
Four provinces have already entered a third wave of COVID-19 infections – Northern Cape Province, Free State Province, North West Province and most recently Gauteng Province. Puren adds, “This means that the 7-day moving average of case incidence has reached 30% of the previous peak in these provinces. We are also seeing sustained increases in case incidence in some districts in other provinces.”
As the pandemic continues into its second year, it is easy to become tired of the restrictions on our lives and social interactions, but according to the NICD, it is imperative for the public to remain vigilant at this time. Thus far, just over 1 million people have been vaccinated in South Africa.
Dr Michelle Groome, Head of the Division of Public Health Surveillance and Response at the NICD, urges, “Until such time as the majority of the population has been vaccinated, we need to persevere with the current recommendations to limit the spread of the virus.”
Remember to wear your mask, practice good hand hygiene (through washing and/or sanitising), maintain social distancing and limit social interactions as much as possible. Please don’t give up; we are too far down this road for that.
Share your thoughts in the comment section below.
RELATED NEWS
