Health Minister, Dr Joe Phaahla, indicated that while the country is still at great risk of COVID-19, the government is observing the daily new infections and remains on high alert.
Phaahla said the next seven days until 6 May will give an indication as to whether the 5th wave of the pandemic has started.
“We need to remain on high alert. The rise in daily infections took a sharper uptick during the last week, “Phaahla said.
According to Phaahla, the government has noted the spike in cases in other parts of the world, however, nationally, there has been a 137% increase in new cases, compared to the seven days prior while, Gauteng, Western Cape and the Northern Cape are showing the highest new daily infections.
“COVID-19 remains a threat and it is not yet over. We cannot afford to drop our prevention measures. We urge those who have not been vaccinated to come forward and take the jab.
“We are still under 50% of adults that have taken one dose of the vaccination. We need to get this to 60% of adults to protect us, “Phaahla indicated.
As of today the cumulative number of #COVID19 cases identified in SA is 3 785 398 with 4 954 new cases reported. Today 5 deaths have been reported bringing the total to 100 360 deaths. The cumulative number of recoveries now stand at 3 646 241 with a recovery rate of 96,3% pic.twitter.com/7gGqVMjBmp
— Department of Health (@HealthZA) April 29, 2022
Meanwhile, Phaahla has urged young people who are between the ages of 18 – and 35 to come forward in their numbers to protect themselves and the elderly people around them.
“Natural immunity wanes with time and cannot be boosted. It is only the vaccine immunity that can be boosted,” Phaahla added.
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