Staff Writer

The South African National Institute for Communicable Diseases reported a 1% increase in novel coronavirus cases between Tuesday and Wednesday, calling for caution and vigilance. Meanwhile, 48 coronavirus related deaths were reported in that same period, leaving the death toll of around 90000, with around 3 million cases being confirmed. 33 new hospitalisations were reported. However, South Africa’s health system is currently well capacitated.

Speaking to Radio Islam International, Professor Glenda Grey, of the South African Medical Research Council noted that this may be a result of the relaxing of vigilance levels, arguing that vigilance and vaccination was the only means of ensuring that this doesn’t increase into a possible fourth wave. She said, ”We hope this is not the beginning of a new wave. It’s quite possible that people have let their guards down [and] are moving around and we don’t have enough people vaccinated, which can also impact on containing the next wave… it’s very important to note that people can themselves start taking responsibility to try and prevent themselves getting [the] coronavirus… So, I would urge people who are hesitant to be vaccinated, I would urge people who’ve got children over 12 to get vaccinated. The only way we can contain this next wave is either to make sure we’re very strict about implementing a non-pharmaceutical intervention or getting a vaccination, particularly those who want to travel.”

Professor Grey also encouraged health workers to obtain their booster shots by the 15^th of December, reiterating that the vaccine was safe and tested. She further noted no new concerning variants, but stated that the SAMRC was monitoring a mutation of the Delta variant, which is currently prevalent in Europe.

Around 23 million doses of the vaccine have so far been dispersed in South Africa, with Professor Grey reiterating that around 60% of the country’s 60 million population need to be vaccinated before real gains can be made. Vaccine supplies are large, with Professor Gray praising incentivisation schemes aimed at encouraging vaccinations.

In recent weeks, anti-viral medication from Pfizer and Merck has been authorised in the US and Europe, providing another means of tackling the pandemic.