As we edge closer to the Easter weekend, concerns around a potential third wave of infections for COVID-19 in South Africa increase. It remains to be seen how strictly the public will adhere to lockdown regulations or indeed how they will be enforced, but regardless, an increased vigilance will be needed over the coming weeks, especially as no news on incoming vaccine batches has been shared to date.

Looking at the latest statistics from the National Department of Health (NDoH), we see a familiar trend, as only 613 new cases have been reported over the past 24 hours. This has been the case at the beginning of most weeks recently, with the daily infection rate picking up as the week progresses.

The result sees the total number of infections recorded to date climb to 1 530 033, with 1 455 325 recoveries also being reported by the NDoH. The latter results in the recovery rate remaining at the previous day’s level of 95 percent.

Unfortunately, 94 new fatalities have also been recorded, with the North West and KwaZulu-Natal contributing the most with 32 and 22 respectively. The death toll related to COVID-19 in South Africa has risen to 51 421 as a result.

The full breakdown of COVID-19 in South Africa is as follows:

As always, in order to stay up to date with the spread of COVID-19 in South Africa and abroad, we advise the following materials and platforms:

• Dr Zweli Mkhize on Twitter
• COVID-19 Connect on WhatsApp – add 0600 123 456 as a contact and say “Hi”.
• World Health Organisation
• SA Coronavirus website
• SA Government
• SA Presidency

[Image – Photo by Mat Napo on Unsplash]