As winter slowly starts to creep in and wrap its icy fingers around us, fears that a fifth COVID-19 wave may be upon us have started stirring.
This comes after a resurgence in COVID infections as 4230 tests came back positive over the last 24-hour recording period, as per EWN.
Over the weekend, the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) indicated that the number of confirmed laboratory cases now sits at 759 689 nationally, with the number of people who have passed away due to COVID-related symptoms now reaching 100 298.
As temperatures continue to drop, the provincial health and wellness department has stated that the fifth wave could begin as early as late April or early May.
The provincial health and wellness department said it expects the fifth wave in late April or early May, as per IOL.
“We are seeing increases in cases countrywide, specifically in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal, driven by the new Omicron sublineages identified (BA.4 and BA.5).
“There is a very small number of specimens with BA.4 in the Western Cape and work is underway to understand virus phenotype and potential impact,” Department spokesperson Mark van der Heever said.
However, the department is willing to reopen quarantine and isolation facilities should numbers reach their peak.
Despite the rapid increase in numbers, the Health Department has stated that it is closely monitoring the rise in infections and would inform the public should the situation become alarming.
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