SA records 3 274 new COVID-19 cases

South Africa has recorded 3 274 new COVID-19 cases, which brings the total number of laboratory-confirmed infections to 3 948 119. This increase represents an 13.8% positivity rate.

The NICD statement says, “Due to the ongoing audit exercise by the National Department of Health, there may be a backlog of COVID-19 mortality cases reported. Today, the Health Department reports 36 deaths, and of these, 15 occurred in the past 24-48 hours. This brings the total fatalities to 101 128 to date.”

Latest COVID-19 stats:

Vaccine hesitancy

Deputy Health Minister Doctor Sibongiseni Dhlomo has attributed the decrease in vaccine hesitancy in the country to government’s improved messaging in encouraging people to get vaccinated.

Vaccine hesitancy decreased slightly from 28 percent in July 2021 to 25 percent in November 2021. That’s according to a COVID-19 Democracy Survey that the University of Johannesburg and the Human Sciences Research Council had conducted.

The online survey has also revealed support for compulsory workplace vaccinations.

Doctor Dhlomo says they will use various campaigns to improve on their messaging.

“Persuasion through correct and frequent messages, after receiving the report of the survey, probably our GCIS should come up with a plan. That is probably an area in which government should start improving on our communication in that regard,” says Dhlomo.