Western Cape Health authorities say it is seeing early signs of a decrease in the number of COVID-19 infections and hospitalisations in the province.
The Western Cape is still at the peak of the third wave of the pandemic, with some 3 600 people in hospital and 46 000 active cases.
Provincial Head of Health, Dr Keith Cloete, says while indicators point to an early decline of the peak, it remains important to avoid gatherings due to the high number of active cases.
Just over 1.56 million vaccinations have taken place in the province to date.
#LetsDoThis, Western Cape!? Our Department of Health administered 34 289 vaccines yesterday, bringing the total number to 1 567 329.
▶️ For COVID-19 vaccine resources, visit our website: https://t.co/nt3zgcUiHs. pic.twitter.com/sBQL0optw2
— Western Cape Gov (@WesternCapeGov) August 19, 2021
Vaccination drive
In efforts to accelerate its vaccination drive, the province launched a mass vaccination site at the Athlone Stadium on Tuesday.
The provincial government said the launch was key in ensuring equity in access to vaccination.
The walk-in section of the mass site was launched first, which will be followed by the launch of the drive-through component of the site in two weeks’ time.
In the video below, Cape Town launches a mass vaccination site at Athlone Stadium:
