While this weekend would normally be one with the spectre of COVID-19 in South Africa looming large, exacerbating matters is stage 2 loadshedding, which is currently set to last until next week Monday.

As such, it scuppers any plans South Africans may have had now that level 1 lockdown restrictions have been eased significantly.

That said, we are still failing to shake off the effects of the recent fourth wave and Omicron variant of the virus.

To that end, the latest report from the National Department of Health (NDoH) shows that 3 266 new cases have been recorded over the past 24 hours. Consequently, the total number of infections recorded to date has risen to 3 616 075.

The department also notes that 82 fatalities have been reported too, as the daily number of newly recorded deaths continues to be a concern. As a result, the death toll related to COVID-19 in South Africa now sits at 95 545.

As for other statistics in the latest report, the NDoH says the recovery rate remains unmoved from the previous day at 95.8 percent, while more than 22.37 million tests have been conducted so far.

Shifting to the vaccine rollout and turnout at sites across the country remains poor, with 65 181 jabs administered in the past 24 hours.

As of 17:00 on 3rd February 2022, a total of 30 101 147 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]