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SA records 1 447 new coronavirus cases on Wednesday

SABC News
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The number of coronavirus cases in South Africa has increased to 1 516 262 after the country identified 1 447 new cases since the last report.

In a statement, the Department of Health has also reported a further 95 COVID-19 related deaths. “Eastern Cape 5, Free State 19, Gauteng 30, Kwa-Zulu Natal 8, Limpopo 0, Mpumalanga 7, North West 0, Northern Cape 1 and Western Cape 25.” This brings the total to 50 366 deaths.

The recoveries now stand at 1 434 772, representing a recovery rate of 94,6%.

The number of health care workers vaccinated under the Sisonke Protocol is 83 570 as of 6.30 pm, 3 March 2021.

“We are very encouraged that our first target of exhausting the first batch of 80 000 vaccines from Johnson & Johnson in two weeks has been achieved and exceeded. We have taken every opportunity to learn from this process and continue to refine the programme in preparation for the rollout to the larger community in the subsequent phases,” says the Health Department.

Below are the latest coronavirus stats: 

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Vaccine rollout phase I 

Receiving his vaccination at the George Mukhari Academic hospital vaccination centre in Pretoria, on Wednesday, Deputy Health Minister Joe Phaahla said the current Johnson and Johnson vaccination process in the country is part of phase one of the vaccine rollout.

The number of vaccination sites has been increased from 17 to 49.

Dr Phaahla says the actual phase one rollout programme will commence before the end of this month.

Antibodies

Head of the KwaZulu-Natal Research, Innovation and Sequencing Platform (KRISP) Professor Tulio De Oliviera says scientists are monitoring other variants of the coronavirus that are not yet of concern.

KRISP has been conducting research into the variant found in South Africa. Part of the research found that persons infected with the variant found in South Africa have developed antibodies to guard against re-infection from other variants of the coronavirus.

KRISP’s Tulio De Oliveira explains:

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