Department of Health Deputy Director-General Anban Pillay has stressed the importance of getting vaccinated against the coronavirus both as individuals and communities to achieve protection and population immunity.
Pillay and Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize briefed the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) on government’s vaccine acquisition and rollout strategy.
“In addition to preventing morbidity and mortality, they also contribute towards herd immunity. So, I think it is important to emphasise that when an individual is vaccinated, he or she receives immediate personal protection against infection from a virus. In addition, when a significant number of people in a community are immunised, they then have protection and then that protection prevents the spread of the virus from one individual to another,” explains Pillay.
The video below discusses the vaccine rollout in South Africa:
Meanwhile, the department has reported 1 676 new cases of coronavirus, taking the number of total infections to 1 509 124.
There have been a further 144 COVID-19-related deaths in the country, bringing the national death toll to 49 667 deaths.
In a statement, Health Minister Zweli Mkhize says most of the new deaths were recorded in the North West.
“Regrettably, we report 144 more COVID-19 related deaths: 7 from Eastern Cape, 25 from the Free State, 14 from Gauteng, 10 from KwaZulu-Natal, 22 from Limpopo, 10 from Mpumalanga, 41 from North West, 2 from Northern Cape and 13 from the Western Cape,” says Dr Mkhize.
Recoveries now stand at 1 424 401, representing a recovery rate of 94%.
As of today, the total number of confirmed #COVID19 cases is 1 509 124 the total number of deaths is 49 667, the total number of recoveries is 1 424 401 and the total number of vaccines administered is 52 647. pic.twitter.com/zuvO7joTEC
— Dr Zweli Mkhize (@DrZweliMkhize) February 25, 2021
Minister Mkhize briefs on COVID-19 vaccine rollout:
