Covid-19 update: Healthcare workers celebrate less traumatic New Year
Thankfully it seems as if South African hospitals managed to have a less traumatic New Year's Eve than expected. Briefly.co.za explores the latest updates on the Covid-19 pandemic.
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Many were concerned that New Year's Eve celebrations amid the Covid-19 pandemic would prove traumatic for those on the frontline.
Thankfully, it seems as if South Africans managed to herald in 2021 with fewer incidents than in previous years.
Briefly.co.za explores the latest updates on the pandemic below:
Source: Twitter
1. Less trauma reported in hospitals
Healthcare workers are reported the least traumatic New Year's Eve recorded in recent history.
Medical workers thanked the nation for their cooperation amid Level 3 lockdown conditions.
While Covid-19 admissions kept staff busy, there was an immense decrease in trauma admissions at public hospitals.
Those in the know have chalked up the thankfully quiet evening to the liquor ban in conjunction with a 9 pm curfew.
Victoria Hospital in Wynberg recorded not one trauma case on both New Year's Eve or New Year's Day.
The same can be said for hospitals in Khayelitsha, Paarl and even the usually chaotic Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital in Soweto.
2. Mkhize on latest statistics
Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize has once again provided South Africans with an update on the Covid-19 pandemic in South Africa.
In a statement released on New Year's Day, the Minister confirmed the latest infections:
"As of today the cumulative number of COVID-19 cases in South Africa is 1 073 887 with 16 726 new cases identified since the last report. This represents a positivity rate of 33.4%."
In addition to the latest number of cases, Mkhize also noted the reported fatalities:
"Regrettably, 418 more COVID-19 related deaths have been reported today: Eastern Cape 66, Free State 8, Gauteng 66, Kwa-Zulu Natal 134, Mpumalanga 6, and Western Cape 138. This brings the total detected deaths to 28 887."
Earlier, Briefly.co.za reported that Professor Shabir Madhi has signalled his surprise that South Africans are amongst the least willing to give the Covid-19 vaccine a shot.
A 15-nation survey has been conducted by IPSOS and the World Economic Forum and found that only 53% of citizens would get the vaccine.
Madhi provided some insight as to why so many are reluctant, saying that there is now 'a lot of uncertainty' regarding the vaccine.
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Source: Briefly News
