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“The fact that we are still dealing with our Fourth Wave means that our numbers will continue growing – unlike the numbers in a Province such as Gauteng, which has already started seeing a decline in the rate of infections,” says KZN Health MEC, Nomgugu Simelane.
In KZN, Simelane notes that increasing numbers are a cause for concern. Especially now that KZN has surpassed Gauteng, the province with the highest infection rate.
She, however, emphasises that the increase in new infections is not entirely unexpected.
“We say this, because ours is the second most populous province in the country after Gauteng. Our province is also a very popular tourist destination, and this rise in the rate of infections comes at a time when we’re officially at the peak of the festive holiday season, with many visitors here.”
KZN Health MEC, Nomgugu Simelane
Omicron’s Effects on Children
Although the Omicron variant is highly infectious, it does not appear to be as lethal as the variants that came before it.
“However, that said, we are extremely concerned by emerging scientific reports to the effect that this variant causes more severe illness among younger age groups compared to what we have with other variants that we have seen in South Africa before.”
In the new cases that the Health Department has registered in the last week or so, an unusually large number of children under the age of 14 have been affected.
“In terms of deaths, we have not seen a high number, but in the few that we have recorded, all age groups are affected from 04 months upwards. That is yet another strong reason for parents to ensure that their children who are aged 12-17 are vaccinated.”
Hospitalisation
The number of daily admissions in both the public and private sectors continues to rise dramatically.
Currently, the province has 1,933 patients admitted to both private and public hospitals. This includes 574 (or 29%) of patients in private hospitals and 1 359 (or 71% of patients in public hospitals).
Of those admitted, 90 patients (5%) required intensive care services.
Only the private hospitals had patients admitted in ICU (67%) and public facilities (33%). Among those who required intensive care, 31% were ventilated in private (53%) and public facilities (47%).
Declining vaccination numbers
Unfortunately, while people continue to die due to COVID-19, and the rate of infections continues to rise, the Health Department has noted with great concern that even fewer people are coming forward to get vaccinated.
“So, instead of growing, our vaccination numbers have actually dropped in recent weeks. We’ve moved from around 20 000 vaccinations per week day to less than 10 000,” says Simelane.
KZN has vaccinated 2,735 million people so far, with a total of 4,484 million people still to be vaccinated.
According to the department, the age groups 12–17 and 18–34 have the lowest rates of vaccination, with 2,9% and 23%, respectively. Nonetheless, these groups make up a sizable portion of the target population.
“While we once again encourage those who have flu-like symptoms to get tested, we urge all those who have not been vaccinated to come forward and get a jab.”
As a result, this will allow their bodies to fight the virus if they become infected. It will also reduce their chances of becoming seriously ill, being hospitalised, or dying. This will also bring the province and the country one step closer to achieving population immunity.
Conspiracy theories
Vaccines, once again, are not linked to 5G technology, religion, a one-world order, tracking, zombie outbreak or whatever childish creation people have come up with to avoid getting an injection.
Simelane emphasises, “They do not turn you into a Satanist, or a cannibal who feeds on human flesh bakwethu!!! The vaccine also does not cause infertility or impotence. In South Africa, there have not been any deaths that have been linked with COVID-19 vaccination. Yinto engekho leyo Yizinto nje ezikhulunywa ngabantu. At some point, as a society we must choose whether we want believe scientists who have studied what they’re talking about, or scientists from the street.”
Simelane stresses that it is imperative people turn their backs on the myths and false information spread about Covid19 vaccines, “and to accept that there is nothing “evil” about these vaccines, but they are rather meant to save lives.”
What are your thoughts on the emergence of COVID-9 infections and the lingering vaccine myths? Share your views in the comment section below.
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