The good news keeps coming for South Africa. The number of new COVID-19 cases continues to stay relatively low, with a total of 566 new cases reported on Monday night [March 1].
Health Minister Zweli Mkhize announced the exciting news on Monday night, adding that the total confirmed cases in the country are at 1 513 959 and the total number of recoveries stand at 1 431 336. In total, 50 077 people have died thus far from COVID-19-related complications. The total number of vaccines administered is 73 047.
Daily cases have dropped significantly over the last month. For comparison, the country identified 16 726 new cases on January 1 and even recorded over 20 000 daily cases in early January.
As of today, the total number of confirmed #COVID19 cases is 1 513 959 the total number of deaths is 50 077 , the total number of recoveries is 1 431 336 and the total number of vaccines administered is 73 047. pic.twitter.com/fZV8fldDk3
— Dr Zweli Mkhize (@DrZweliMkhize) March 1, 2021
In the Western Cape, active cases now sit at 3786 with a total of 275 449 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 260 479 recoveries. The Western Cape has recorded 17 additional deaths, bringing the total number of COVID-19 related deaths in the province to 11 184 .
A total of 12 997 vaccines had been administered in the province by 5pm on February 28.
The province has completed the rollout of its first tranche of vaccines as part of the J&J/Sisonke implementation study — and will begin rolling out its new allocation in the rural areas this week.
The first vaccine was administered in the province on February 17, with a target of rolling out just over 13 000 within two weeks. These were rolled out at four sites at Groote Schuur, Tygerberg, Khayelitsha District Hospital and later, Karl Bremer.
This target was reached this past weekend, putting the Western Cape health department ahead of schedule.
The second tranche of vaccines arrived in the province on Sunday [February 28]. The Health Department aims to allocate 13 068 vaccines which will be delivered in two separate batches to areas outside of the Metro, beginning with health care workers in Worcester, Paarl and George.
A dedicated vaccine site at the Gatesville Melomed hospital will also open this week and serve as a vaccination site for health care workers in the private sector.
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Picture: Pexels