This is according to Dr Gerrit de Villiers, Chief Clinical Officer for Mediclinic Southern Africa, who says younger people do not necessarily feel sick immediately, spreading it before they later realise that they are positive and isolate. 

De Villiers says the Free State, North West and Northern Cape provinces are affected dramatically. Regardless thereof, early signs show a decline in new cases per day in the Free State and Northern Cape, he says. De Villiers adds young people are often more resilient and don’t end up in hospital but the same cannot be said for older people who get infected. The people who end up in hospital and are placed on ventilators, are very similar to those in the previous two waves. The older you are the more fatal, and certain medical conditions play a big role in how sick you can get, says De Villiers.

“I think everyone became relaxed and let down their guard as it has been a long year and a half of lockdown measures and social distancing measures. People also made use of the good weather, travelled around and now that it’s colder people tend to be indoors, which is a breeding ground for germs to spread. So, it’s most likely human behaviour that has played a role in young people being infected more this time around, De Villiers says.  

De Villiers says people should realise that their behaviour not only affects them but other people as well. "If other people get sick or infect their family members or other older people, it could be fatal for some of them, leading to death. Being young is not a guarantee of not being affected severely. Many people that were regarded as young and healthy, ended up in the hospital and ICU. Age is not a bulletproof jacket that one is wearing, so if you are young you can still get very sick and spread it to the community and other people."

De Villiers says people should be careful, avoid close contact with others, avoid small spaces without ventilation and avoid crowds.

OFM News/Blaine Jones