Western Cape Premier Alan Winde says the local government continues to analyse its data to better understand the risks that COVID-19 presents, as well as the effectiveness of vaccines.
According to Winde, sharing this information with the public enables residents to better understand the benefits that vaccination brings, especially for those in high-risk categories.
Winde says their analysis found that those aged 50 years and older were 7.5 times more likely to die compared to younger age groups, while men were 1.4 times more likely to die than women. Those who have comorbidities also have a greater chance of dying, and that comorbidities are more common amongst those 50 years and older.
“This is a significant difference, and it is why every person who is over 50 years should act quickly so that they get this important protection. While the vaccine does not offer 100% protection, it does provide significantly more protection than not being vaccinated at all,” Winde said.
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Winde went on to say that to date, only 52% of those in this high-risk age group have been fully vaccinated and just 9% are partially vaccinated.
“This means that there are still a significant number of people who can get infected, and end up in a hospital and die during a fourth wave. This is not only heartbreaking for family and loved ones, but it will also mean that a high burden will remain on our healthcare system,” Winde indicated.
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In the meantime, the provincial minister for Finance and Economic Opportunities, David Maynier, has described South Africa’s removal from the United Kingdom’s ‘red list’ as great news for the province.
According to Maynier, the decision brings an end to a baffling diplomatic shamble that placed the economic recovery of the tourism and hospitality sector in the Western Cape at risk. Maynier says the UK is a key source market for tourism in the Western Cape.
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