COVID-19

Photo: Stock/Canva

COVID-19 latest: SA reports 21 157 new confirmed cases, 75 more deaths

The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) said 75 more deaths were recorded, bringing the fatalities to 90 662.

COVID-19

Photo: Stock/Canva

South Africa recorded 21 157 new cases of COVID-19 in the last 24 hours, the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) has said on Thursday. 

WHAT IS THE TOTAL NUMBER OF CONFIRMED CASES TO DATE? 

This brings the total number of laboratory-confirmed cases to 3 374 262. 

This increase of 21 157 new COVID-19 cases represents a 29.1% positivity rate. 

A further 75 COVID-19 related deaths have been reported, bringing total fatalities to 90 662 to date.

“The cumulative number of recoveries is 3 064 311.” 

THE TOTAL NUMBER OF RECOVERIES TO DATE? 

The majority of new cases are in KwaZulu-Natal with 5 241 new cases, the Western Cape with 4 597 new cases, and Gauteng with 4 206 the Eastern Cape with 2 459 new cases in the provinces. 

For more detailed information, visit the GIS Dashboard.

20 413 334 tests have been conducted in both the public and private sectors.

There has been an increase of 411 hospital admissions in the past 24hours.

ANY INDICATIONS OF MORE LOCKDOWN RESTRICTIONS?  

The government last week confirmed that there will be ZERO new lockdown restrictions at this moment in time to combat the spread of the Omicron variant. A family meeting on the matter has also been scrapped, and the country will remain at its current alert phase of Level 1.

LEVEL 1 REMAINS, AND NO NEW LOCKDOWN RESTRICTIONS FOR CHRISTMAS!

This latest announcement matches a rather bullish tone coming from both the Cabinet and the medical experts of Mzansi. 

There’s growing confidence that Omicron, although it spreads like butter on a hot slice of toast, isn’t putting much of a dent into hospitalisations and deaths. And that’s the game, at this stage of the pandemic.

The National Coronavirus Command Council (NCCC) met on Wednesday to consider the need for changes to our current Level 1 laws. Although cases continue to rise alongside new hospital admissions, data on ICU treatment and mortality remains flat. Therefore, there’s no need to push the panic button as it stands.

“This virus is spreading quicker than in previous waves, but the rates of hospitalisations and deaths remain relatively low.it is in our hands to maintain the current break in the clouds into the lasting sunshine in order to have safer and joyous Christmas, and prosperous New Year celebrations,” NCCC said.

ALSO READ: Just in: ZERO new restrictions for SA, as Level 1 lockdown remains

WHAT IS THE OMICRON VARIANT?

On Friday, the World Health organisation’s Technical Advisory Group on all things COVID-19 met. They met for the sole purpose of assessing the B.1.1.529 variant.

By the end of that meeting, the WHO had named the variant the omicron variant. This follows the Delta and Beta variants that were also given Greek names.

The first case of the Omicron variant was from a COVID test that was collected on the 9th of November. South African scientists identified the new variant and first reported the matter to the WHO on the 24th of November.

But what makes Omicron different from other variants? Well, it has a large number of mutations. In fact, a lot more than any of the previous variants seen before.

ALSO READ: Do you qualify for the Covid-19 grant? Here are the eligibility criteria