3rd Wave: Easter May Cause Numbers to Rise but Gov Is Prepared
- The third wave of coronavirus infections may arrive a bit sooner than expected as regulations have been eased, according to vaccinology professor at Wits, Professor Shabir Madhi
- However, Professor Salim Abdool Karim believes that the government will be prepared to handle the third wave
- Prior predictions noted the start of the third wave from June but new reports suggest it may start in May
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Professor Shabir Madhi, prof of vaccinology at Wits University, believes that coronavirus numbers will rise towards May, following Easter. Prof Madhi was speaking on Monday during a leadership dialogue hosted by Wits Business School.
He says that easing regulations before the Easter holiday season could result in the third wave arriving much sooner than expected. Prior predictions suggested the third wave would be arriving towards the winter months (June onwards).
Easter is a big religious holiday which will be celebrated on 4 April and experts believe that the gatherings associated with the holiday will cause a resurgence in numbers.
Source: Getty Images
SowetanLIVE reported that Prof Madhi added that the focus for 2021 should be on vaccinating high-risk groups which, according to him, will allow South Africa to return to a sense of normality.
Speaking to SABC News, Professor Salim Abdool Karim, co-chair of the Ministerial Advisory Committee on Covid-19, said the government is prepared to deal with the third wave, although challenges still remain. Prof Karim added that the experience of the first and second waves allows for the government to have some elements of what needs to be done.
In other Covid-related news, Briefly.co.za recently reported that President Cyril Ramaphosa moved the country to Alert Level One. Ramaphosa had a range of new measures in place as sites for vaccination will be expanded across the country, including rural area.
New admissions to hospitals have fallen, as well as deaths and less than 10 000 new infections have been reported compared to December last year when South Africa recorded close to 90 000 new cases.
As a result, the Covid-19 restrictions have been relaxed as South Africa moves from Alert Level Three to Alert Level One. Curfew was moved from midnight to 4am and alcohol sales will now return to normal. According to Ramaphosa, alcohol will be on sale as normal except during the hours of curfew.
Although the sale of alcohol is now allowed, the President mentioned that nightclubs would remain closed. Ramaphosa spoke about gatherings being permitted and social distancing being observed but made sure to speak of nightclubs on their own.
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Source: Briefly News
