Tshwane sees decline in active COVID-19 cases

The City of Tshwane continues to see a decline in active COVID-19 cases.  

Residents in the Gauteng were earlier this month warned to anticipate a resurgence and probable third wave in the next few months.  

In the City of Tshwane however, the number of infections continues to decline daily.  

Tshwane Executive Mayor’s Chief of Staff Jordan Griffiths says the number of active cases has dropped below 600 and is currently sitting at 553.  

Active #COVID19 cases in Tshwane continue to decline, dropping below 600 with 553 active cases now present in the city. pic.twitter.com/acpe7FDI0P

— City of Tshwane (@CityTshwane) March 23, 2021

He says the City’s success can be ascribed to residents adhering to COVID-19 protocols. 

“The City itself continues awareness campaigns and tracking in terms of public awareness. We have a mobile unit that’s pro-active in communities and we constantly also try and support, across the three spheres of government, in terms of screening and testing. So, this helps us to respond early and track traces as they arrive, along with identifying hotspots, in particular wards and areas where we’re noticing there are emerging trends. And week on week we see that Tshwane in relation to the rest of the province is doing quite well in this regard.”

The number of coronavirus cases in South Africa has increased to 1 538 451 after the country identified 599 new cases yesterday.

The Health Department also reported 85 more COVID-19-related deaths, taking the total since the outbreak of the pandemic to 52 196.

Graphic below shows South Africa’s current COVID-19 stats:  

The public’s behaviour could determine potential third wave  

Earlier this month, the co-chairperson of the Ministerial Advisory Committee on COVID-19, Professor Salim Abdool Karim, warned that the severity of the expected next wave, the third wave, depends on the public’s behaviour. 

Karim said the country is at a lower transmission level, adding that a potential third wave could occur around June or July. He says its severity could depend on whether there might be a new variant or not.  

Karim said the government is better prepared for the next wave of infections.  

Meanwhile, Professor of Vaccinology at Wits University, Shabir Madhi predicted a resurgence of coronavirus infections at the end of May and early June. 

Mahdi said that the easing of restrictions, the Easter period and expected cooler temperatures in the coming months is likely to see an increase in COVID-19 cases: