LISTEN: Prof Salim Abdool Karim gives COVID-19 update
When can South Africa expect another wave or variant? Prof Salim Abdool Karim weighs in on what to expect.
On Monday morning, Jacaranda FM News reported that South Africa has recorded a decrease in the number of new COVID-19 cases.
The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) has recorded 1,649 new cases in the last 24-hour reporting cycle.
READ: Breakfast with Martin Bester weighs in on the new COVID-19 regulations
Gauteng continues to account for the majority of cases.
Prof Salim Abdool Karim is a South African epidemiologist and infectious diseases specialist.
Professor Karim joined Breakfast with Martin Bester on 15 February 2022 to talk about everything you need to know about COVID-19 and a possible new wave in South Africa.
READ: SA sees slight decline in Covid-19 cases
"We don't know what the next wave or variant will look like. The virus is changing and we need to adapt to it. We need to balance it with the needs of the economy. We now have room for flexibility.
"Omicron is much milder - in South Africa it is significantly milder."
According to Professor Karim, only 30% of South Africans are vaccinated.
READ: Covid-19 death toll passes 97 000 in SA
He continued by saying that we could allow lighter regulations if more people get vaccinated.
"If we were highly vaccinated - we could allow some lighter regulations."
He mentioned that we can expect a new wave at the end of April - but they have no idea of what the new variant would look like.
Tune in to the 'Breakfast with Martin Bester', weekdays from 06:00 - 09:00. Stream the show live here or download our mobile app here.
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