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A health worker with safety equipment.
Oliver Berg / Picture Alliance via Getty Images
- The World Health Organization (WHO) has praised South Africa for the decline in confirmed Covid-19 cases.
- It currently has fewer than 2,000 new cases per day, compared to the peak when around 12,000 cases were reported daily.
- However, confirmed cases from South Africa account for almost half of all cases in Africa.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has praised South Africa for the decline in confirmed Covid-19 cases.
In a statement Thursday, the WHO said it was highly encouraged by ongoing measures to suppress the spread of SARs-COV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19.
He added that South Africa had taken decisive steps such as “instituting response coordination mechanisms at all levels, establishing control interventions for all critical pillars of the response, and imposing social and public health measures, including movement restrictions, curfews. , closure of businesses and schools and places of worship. “
The WHO said it was these public health measures that helped limit the exponential spread of the coronavirus and allowed the country to establish capacities for testing, isolation and treatment of cases, as well as tracking and quarantine of contacts.
READ | Abdool Karim: SA Targets Low-Level Covid-19 Transmission Threshold, But Second Wave Threat Remains
Following the peak of confirmed Covid-19 cases, daily infections in South Africa have been declining, with the country now entering its sixth consecutive week of decline.
It currently registers less than 2 000 cases per day juxtaposed to two months ago, when around 12 000 new cases were registered per day.
“The strong commitment and leadership of the South African government has been and will continue to be fundamental in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic,” said its regional director for Africa, Dr. Matshidiso Moeti.
“Without this dedication, we would not be where we are today.
READ | Level 1 lockdown: Covid-19 testing to be increased to contain outbreaks, says Ramaphosa
“The latest trends in South Africa are clearly encouraging. However, we must remain vigilant and be prepared to effectively address any resurgence. We are not out of the woods yet, so we must not relax.”
News24 previously reported that the country was on track to reach the threshold of a country with low-level Covid-19 transmission.
This according to the prominent epidemiologist and infectious disease specialist, Professor Salim Abdool Karim.
But he’s not out of the woods yet, and Karim warned there was a continuing risk and threat of another wave of infections.
Following the downward trend in new infections, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced on Wednesday night the easing of lockdown regulations with a move to Level 1.
– Compiled by Alex Mitchley
