Professor Shabir Madhi with a COVID-19 vaccine – Photo: Fuhu Media / Flickr
Professor Shabir Madhi with a COVID-19 vaccine – Photo: Fuhu Media / Flickr
The beginnings of the third wave of COVID-19 are starting to show themselves in South Africa, experts claim: Slight upticks in overall numbers – including those of new cases and test positivity rates – are allegedly pointing to a resurgence of the virus, just before our Easter holidays. But are we likely to be under Level 3 restrictions for the next long weekend?
Easter lockdown may be avoided – but later restrictions ‘likely’
Wits Professor of Vaccinology, Shabir Madhi, was asked about the likelihood of lockdown shifting to Level 3 in April. Although he doesn’t feel like this would be the right move, the specialist does think that ‘targeted rules’ would have to return after the upcoming public holiday. According to Madhi, failed vaccine rollout leaves SA at the mercy of coronavirus:
“I don’t think South Africa needs a Level 3 lockdown in its entirety, but the rules would need to be more targeted. When facing a resurgence, what we must concentrate on is stopping people from getting hospitalised and killed. We need to target high-risk individuals, but we can’t do that with vaccines because our vaccination programme is all over the show.”
Will South Africa return to Level 3 lockdown for Easter?
Before sharing his thoughts with eNCA, Madhi shared this graph on his Twitter page. Ominously, the data shows that new COVID-19 cases are slowly rising in six provinces. The Eastern, Western, and Northern Capes are showing the most obvious signs of a resurgence – and the professor states that these developments are ‘worrisome’.
Upward trend for Covid in 6 of 9 provinces already (source Jonny Myers)- worrisome . pic.twitter.com/cysfVYGcka
— Shabir Madhi (@ShabirMadh) March 22, 2021
COVID-19 latest news for South Africa: Cases, deaths, test positivity rising
These numbers are supported by Ridhwaan Suliman’s latest figures. The senior CSIR researcher revealed on Sunday that several key indicators are going the wrong way for South Africa – and the weekly death figures have soared by one-third.
An ‘adjusted’ Level 3 lockdown may not come during Easter – but a return later on in April isn’t out of the question…
Weekly update #COVID19 in SA????????
— Ridhwaan Suliman (@rid1tweets) March 21, 2021
Most indicators going in the wrong directions this week! Need a clear resurgence plan and strategy ????⚠️
• Cases up 2% ⬆️
• Tests down 3% ⬇️
• Test positivity up 2% ⬆️
• Hospitalisations down 14% ⬇️
• Deaths up 33% ⬆️
• Vaccines down 15% ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/P8K06ZeZ2i
Potential Level 3: What date is Easter in 2021?
- Good Friday falls on 2 April
- Easter Sunday is on 4 April
- Easter Monday takes place on 5 April
- All days between 2 – 5 April 2021 are classed as public holidays in South Africa.
