Kubayi-Ngubane gave an update on the current status of the Covid-19 pandemic in the country. During the briefing, Kubayi emphasised that indications show South Africa has passed the peak of the third Covid-19 wave. 

She raised concerns about the current situation in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal following looting and unrest that could be the cause of a major spike in Covid-19 infections in the coming weeks. With regard to future plans in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic, Kubai says that the country will now be vaccinating 250 000 people on a daily basis. 

On this note, she also announced plans to vaccinate 300 000 people daily for the next few weeks. 

Kubayi-Ngubane says a National Coronavirus Command Council (NCCC) is set to meet on Sunday 25 July 2021 about the country’s current lockdown restrictions. By September the country plans to administer 400 000 jabs daily.

The government is expected to announce the next group of people who are eligible to register for vaccinations next week, focused on people aged 18 years and older. According to the National Department of Health, presently the cumulative number of Covid-19 cases identified in SA is 2 342 330 with 14 858 new cases reported. A total of 433 deaths have been reported in the last 24 hours, bringing the total to 68 625 deaths. The cumulative number of recoveries now stand at 2 109 820 with a recovery rate of 90,1%.

OFM News/Blaine Jones