By now the recent rise in newly recorded cases for COVID-19 in South Africa should be known by most people in the country. While we have not seen surges normally associated with fully fledged waves of infection, this week the numbers are picking up significantly.

To that end, the latest report from the National Department of Health (NDoH) confirms that 10 017 new cases have been recorded in the past 24 hours, with a recently discovered variant of the virus viewed as being the cause. The department adds that the total number of infections recorded to date now sit at 3 862 165.

While it remains to be seen how transmissible and indeed fatal this variant is compared to previous ones, it looks like we are on the cusp of a fifth wave of infections in SA.

Other key figures in the latest report sees 50 fatalities recorded over the past 24 hours too, as the death toll related to COVID-19 in South Africa climbs to 100 609. The NDoH also notes that the recovery rate has dropped slightly to 95.6 percent.

As for the vaccine rollout, the past 24 hours has seen 59 358 jabs have been administered, with 23 297 of these being booster shots. As of 17:00 on 11th May 2022, a total of 35 305 618 vaccines have been administered across the country.

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 – Photo by Dennis Rochel on Unsplash]