Until recently, a small number of coronavirus infections were recorded in the country – about 200 confirmed cases per day. The situation has changed dramatically this week.
If on Wednesday the daily number of infections exceeded 1200, then on Thursday it doubled to 2465. Experts believe that there is a high probability that such an increase in the incidence is associated with a new variant B.1.1.529.
An estimated 90% of those infected with the new B.1.1.529 virus live in Gauteng. However, the strain may be present in eight other provinces in South Africa.
Scientists in the country are now trying to determine the extent of the spread of the new strain, but this may take some time.
“While data is limited, our experts are working overtime with all surveillance systems in place to understand the new strain and the potential consequences,” said South Africa’s National Institute for Infectious Diseases.
Note that in South Africa, 41% of the adult population are vaccinated against coronavirus. At the same time, the number of vaccines administered per day in the country is relatively small and amounts to less than 130,000.
Low vaccination rates are not associated with a lack of vaccines. The country, on the contrary, has Delay shipments to avoid stockpiling vaccines.
“We receive vaccines faster than we can use them now,” the Ministry of Health said.
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