Phaahla urges SA to continue observing Covid protocols
While South African's can breathe a sigh of relief as the country exists its third wave of Covid-19, Health Minister Joe Phaahla has warned South Africa is not yet out of the woods.
He briefed the media on Friday on the department's response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
About 19 million doses of the vaccine have been administered, but only some 9 million South Africans are fully vaccinated.
"The number of new infections has been consistently dropping in the last three weeks with 33% reduction in the last seven days, there has also been a 19.3% decrease in hospitalisation in the last seven days, welcomed news because it means there is a lot of relief for our health workers," said Phaahla.
He said they have recorded a 51% decrease in the death rate due to Covid-19 complications.
"We can only sustain the low levels if we continue to observe the personal health and safety measures which we know very well. While we reported only 989 new infections this killer virus is still in our midst, indeed we are not yet out of the woods, there are still over 5000 people in hospital, 885 are in ICU, and 465 are in ventilators.
"Because of the reduced level of restrictions, it does not mean the pandemic is over, it just means we have been given space to breathe. This space can be longer if we observe all protocols and remember that while the numbers are down the virus remains in our midst," added Phaahla.
ALSO READ:
