Cabinet approvals

Image via: flickr

Covid-19: Now Cabinet notes “slight increase” in infections

The government has noted the slight increase in Covid-19 infections as more people tested positive due to cluster infections.

Cabinet approvals

Image via: flickr

South Africa has experienced a “slight increase” in Covid-19 infections over the past two weeks the government’s cabinet noted during its meeting this week.

Cabinet said in a statement on Thursday that it had received an update on the COVID-19 infections across the country.

Cabinet said that it “commended” South Africans for their continued adherence to the non-pharmaceutical health protocols of wearing a mask when in public spaces, maintaining social distancing of about 1.5 metres and always washing hands with soap and water or using a 70% alcohol-based hand sanitiser.  

However, it said that the report it had received also indicated a “slight increase of 4,9% in persons testing positive in the past 14 days, by 18 April 2021”. 

“The cases increased from 14 113 in the preceding 14 days to 14 807 cases in the last 14 days.  The slight increase in cases is attributed to cluster resurgences in the Free State and Northern Cape, and rapid response teams have been activated to conduct contact tracing,” Cabinet said.

Cabinet said it had approved the establishment of the No-Fault Compensation Fund. 

“The Fund’s establishment is in line with the contractual agreements entered into with the pharmaceutical companies that will be supplying the South Africa with COVID-19 vaccines,” cabinet said.

“The Fund is also important for the protection of South Africans who may be affected by side effects of vaccines to access better support and treatment.”

The fund will be established through the amendments to Section 27 of the Disaster Management Act, 2002 (Act 57 of 2002). It will be chaired by a judge.

Cabinet welcomed the recommendation by the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority to lift the suspension of the J&J Sisonke Vaccination Programme. 

“Our scientists will continue to monitor all South Africans as and when they are vaccinated. By mid-April 2021, more than 292 623 HCWs had been vaccinated under the Sisonke Vaccination Programme,” Cabinet said.