One expert at the University of the Free State(UFS), Herkulaas Combrink, says if similar trends as – like those during the festive season of 2020 – continues, this may contribute to a third wave.

Combrink adds if the Free State local government does nothing to prevent this, it is anticipated that the province will see a steady increase and a potential third wave between April 17 and June 26.

Meanwhile, two other experts - Professor Felicity Burt and Dr Sabeehah Vawda, both virology experts at UFS - say the prevention of further infections through vaccination will require sufficient coverage to induce at least 70% herd immunity in the country.

Both Burt and Vawda say that currently no country has achieved that level of herd immunity through vaccine programmes.

According to Combrink, this means the province can already anticipate gatherings and a higher rate of travel during the next three weeks.

He adds that as a result of this as well as non-adherence to non-pharmaceutical interventions, the province can anticipate this event to serve as a catalyst for transmission.”

OFM News