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News24 reports that Health Minister Joe Phaahla believes that as the country moves closer to winter, there will be an expectation of a fifth wave of Covid-19 infections. But, the fifth wave could even come earlier, depending on variants of concern.
Phaahla briefed the media on Friday on government's efforts to fight Covid-19 as well as the national vaccine rollout programme. The minister focused most of the briefing on the decline in infections, with SA having officially reached the end of the fourth wave. But, Phaahla noted that the steady decline in infections recorded earlier in January had changed pace. He explained: "The last 14 days, including the last seven days, have given us a confusing picture. We have seen a less resilient decline in infections. The picture has been that of a stalemate where there's no serious decline and yet no worrying rise in infections. Instead of the curve flattening, it has taken the shape of a plateau." The minister said it was believed that the stagnation in the slowing down of new infections could be linked to the opening of schools and movement of people after the festive season. "We, therefore, have reason to be optimistic that as schools settle down and there's reduced movement of people there will be faster and sustained reduction of infections," he pointed out. In terms of vaccinations, as of Wednesday, more than 30 million vaccine doses had been administered, according to the minister.
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Alex Mitchley at News24
- Read too, Health officials believe fifth wave of Covid infections will hit in a few months, at EWN
Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page