Yesterday, the National Department of Health’s (NDoH) report on COVID-19 in South Africa featured several inconsistencies, specifically as it pertained the total cases, infections and deaths for the North West and Mpumalanga.

While we know mistakes happen, especially on a daily report that has been created and shared two nearly two years now, the lack of acknowledgement from the NDoH on this matter is rather concerning.

As such, one has to wonder where the buck stops and what level of accountability there is this deep into a global pandemic. It therefore brings into question the validity of the figures being shared and will no doubt stoke rumours about government withholding specific information on the spread of the virus.

Hopefully this is corrected quickly, with the need to vaccinate still dire and the threat of another wave of infections always looming.

For now, the past 24 hours has 3 699 new cases reported, with the total number of infections rising to 3 648 968. The NDoH also says 89 fatalities have been reported too, but it is unclear how many of these deaths have been added as the result of an ongoing audit. Consequently, the death toll related to COVID-19 in South Africa is now 97 520.

As for the vaccine rollout, turnout is still relatively low with 72 296 jabs administered in the past 24 hours. As of 17:00 on 16th February 2022, a total of 30 779 273 vaccines have been administered across SA.

The full outlook for COVID-19 in South Africa follows on below:

• 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 – CC 0 Pixabay]