Covid cases rising rapidly

REGIONAL - With the number of active cases in Bitou still higher than in Knysna, both sub-districts' tallies are edging closer and closer to the 100 mark for the first time since January.

As at Monday 16 May, the Western Cape has seen

3 003 517 registrations for the Covid-19 vaccine, 53,51% of the eligible population.

In the Garden Route a total of 261 606 people have registered for the vaccine, 52,84% of the eligible population.

In Knysna there has been a total of 36 965 vaccine registrations, which is 64,39% of the eligible population. Bitou has seen a total of 22 734 vaccine registrations, 53,50% of the eligible population.

As at Tuesday 17 May, Knysna had recorded a total of 10 003 cases of Covid-19, of which 9 618 have recovered, 292 have died, and 93 are active cases.

The number of new cases in the past week, 50, represents an increase of 8,7% (+4) in new cases from the week before.

The active cases also increased this week, rising by 40,91% (+27) - this is the largest rise in active cases in Knysna in 2022. The recovery rate has fallen to 96,15% (96,40% last week). The deaths have remained the same.

In Bitou as at Tuesday,

5 877 Covid-19 cases had been recorded, with 5 640 having recovered, 143 having died, and 94 being active cases. This shows 53 new cases recorded between 10 and 17 May, an increase of 29,27% (+12). This is Bitou's second-largest weekly rise in new cases this year.

The active cases have climbed by 34,29% (+24) this week - it is the second-highest increase in active cases that Bitou has seen this year. The recovery rate decreased and is now 95,97% (96,34% last week), and the mortality rate is 2,5%. The deaths have not increased for the 10th week in a row - the longest such streak seen this year.