The premier was encouraged by the high turnout of those 60 years and above that the province aims to vaccinate.

Phase two of the vaccine rollout has already started last week. Another vaccination site was opened at the Pelonomi Tertiary Hospital on Monday. Elderly people have welcomed the vaccination programme after it was delayed last week due to the shutdown. Ntombela said the latest statistics call for concern, as there are 331 new confirmed cases in the last 24 hours which bring the total number of confirmed cases in the Free State to 97 908.

The premier is, however, encouraged by the 89% recovery rate in the province, although the aim is to cut down the number of infections. 

According to the premier, the rate at which lives are lost due to the coronavirus is an alarming factor. People need to be more cautious. She once again called for people to avoid crowded places and continue to wash their hands, sanitise, and wear their face masks.  

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi