The Health Department has reported that an additional 59 people have succumbed to COVID-19 related complications in the last 24-hour cycle. The latest number now brings the country’s death toll to 55 183.
According to News24, the Western Cape has seen a resurgence of COVID-19 cases due to an increase in social gatherings. The province has reported a total of 2727 active cases as of May 14.
Along with the Western Cape, the rest of South Africa is preparing to enter the second phase of the vaccine rollout programme, where citizens over 60 are encouraged to receive the vaccine. As South Africans teeter on the edge of entering a third wave, Health Minister Zweli Mkhize has warned South Africans to continue practising non-pharmaceutical practices. This includes wearing a mask, social distancing and sanitizing to help curb the spread of the virus, as per EWN.
News of the variants in India and the UK reaching South Africa has made headlines over the past few weeks, with the minister warning South Africans to take extra precautions. “We all have the responsibility to use non-pharmaceuticals to protect ourselves or reduce the risk of infection.”
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