Covid cases decreasing
The last week in August 2021 has shown a steady decrease in the number of active Covid-19 cases in the Dr Beyers Naude municipal area. The number of active cases, declined from 429 (Graaff-Reinet 263) on 24 August to 269 (Graaff-Reinet 108) on 31 August.
Statistics confirmed a total number of 1 998 new cases for August. The mortality rate has increased from 207 (Graaff-Reinet: 163) on 1 August to 239 (Graaff-Reinet: 180) on 31 August.
Notably, 733 of the new cases that were registered for August were children of schoolgoing age. This shows an increase from 105 in June 2021 and 461 in July 2021.
The statistics as at 6 September can be summarised as follows:
2 September
New cases reported: 50 Active cases: 258 (GraaffReinet: 112), Aberdeen(17), Asherville (13), Geluksdal (4), Jansenville (59), Klipplaat (18), Koebergville (1), Kroonvale (29), Lotusville (10), Rietbron (11), Santaville (4), Selfbou (5), Steytlerville (5), Sunnyside (1), Thembalesizwe (5), Umasizakhe (13), Willowmore(21) and Graaff-Reinet town(42).
4 September
New cases reported: 14 Active cases: 211 (GraaffReinet: 71), Aberdeen (13), Asherville (2), Geluksdal (2), Jansenville (53), Klipplaat (6), Kroonvale (28), Lotusville (12),
Rietbron (13), Santaville (4), Selfbou (5), Steytlerville (17), Sunnyside (1), Thembalesizwe (6), Umasizakhe (6), Willowmore (20), Graaff- Reinet town (23).
6 September
New cases reported: 23 Active cases: 156 (GraaffReinet: 50), Aberdeen (8), Asherville (2), Jansenville (44), Klipplaat (5), Kroonvale (20), Lotusville (8), Rietbron (7), Selfbou (5), Steytlerville (17), Sunnyside (2), Thembalesizwe (3), Umasizakhe (4), Willowmore (14), Graaff-Reinet town (17).
Only one death due to Covid-19 has been reported for this period.
Whilst it appears as if we are finally reaching the end of the third wave of Covid-19 infections, South Africa’s vaccination efforts will be a key factor in limiting a potential fourth wave of Covid-19 infections at the end of 2021. The importance of the Covid-19 vaccination in deterring the fourth wave was emphasised by President Cyril Ramaphosa on Friday 3 September: “Getting vaccinated is not only a personal choice about protecting yourself from infection. It is also about protecting others, including your family, friends and coworkers, and allowing the whole of society to return to normal activity more quickly. If we can vaccinate a large enough proportion of our population, particularly the adult population, by December, we can avoid another devastating wave of infections and restrictions on the economy.”