WESTERN CAPE NEWS - The Western Cape has passed the peak of the fourth wave of the Covid-19 pandemic, according to data presented by provincial head of health Dr Keith Cloete during a digital conference today, Thursday 6 December.

The number of daily new reported cases is declining. In the Garden Route, there has been a marked decline in the number of active cases in the past week. 

According to the Western Cape Covid-19 Dashboard, as of Thursday 6 January there were 4 423 active cases (George 1 515, Mossel Bay 1 052, Knysna 574, Hessequa 481, Bitou 371, Oudtshoorn 322 and Kannaland 108). This is compared to 5 045 cases about a week ago (Wednesday 29 December).

A consistent decline in new cases is being expected in the next few weeks. Premier Alan Winde during the digicon called for the National State of Disaster to be allowed to expire. "I think what we've shown is that we can manage Covid-19 and that our health systems are able to cope. Deaths, even at the peak, remained low," he said.

Throughout the fourth wave, the health platform maintained sufficient capacity to respond. "We did not need to open all our field hospital wards, and we maintained our Covid-19 critical care capacity throughout this period, including at our peak. While the number of cases and test positivity rate exceeded the second and third wave peak respectively, hospitalisations were lower, and deaths remained notably low."

Winde said the focus must now shift from Covid-19 to dealing with "pandemic number 2" - poverty and the high unemployment rates. Plans for dealing with this will be revealed in the coming weeks.

"A job is a ticket out of poverty. It is the best way to fight crime. It prevents hunger and ensures children can grow healthily, getting onto a ladder of opportunity. We need to fight this pandemic with the same energy and passion, and the Western Cape Government intends to do so."

Current Covid figures

In the Western Cape, the reproduction number remains below one, which points to an exit from the peak of the wave.

The number of daily new cases is decreasing with an average of 2 022 new diagnoses per day.

The proportion of positive Covid-19 tests has decreased to an average of 52% and admissions have plateaued with 225 admissions per day.

Oxygen usage did not increase above 50% during the fourth wave. It was over 400% in the third wave. This is a key measure for Covid-19 hospitalisation.

In all the rural areas, the number of new daily Covid cases has declined in the past week with a 25% decline in the Garden Route. (Figures in the graph: as of 4 January 2022).

Fewer deaths
Deaths have been increasing since the middle of December with large percentage increases, but from a very low base. Currently, there is an average of 29 deaths per day or a 47% increase in the last week (there were 123 deaths a day based on a 7 day moving average on 5 August 2021, the third wave peak).

While case numbers and test positivity in this wave have exceeded previous waves, hospital admissions are lower than the previous wave at 64% of the third wave admissions peak. Further, while deaths have increased in the last 2 weeks, they stand at just 24% of the third wave peak.

"This is very positive and can be attributed to increased protection from the vaccine, immunity from prior infection, as well as emerging evidence that omicron may be less severe," said Winde.

Figures released by the Western Cape Health Department show that there were fewer deaths among fully vaccinated people during the fourth wave compared to previous waves.

The number of fully vaccinated among those who died of Covid-19 is low.

Between 15 November and 11 December 2021, it was found that:

• Of those between 18 – 34 years, 3 persons died of whom none were fully vaccinated.
• Of those between 35 - 49 years, 11 persons died of whom only 1 was fully vaccinated.
• Of those between 50 – 59 years, 8 persons died of whom only 1 was fully vaccinated.
• Of those 60 years and older, 32 persons died of whom only 3 were fully vaccinated.

By 5 January 2022,the following number of people were vaccinated:

• 2 320 312 or 46.62% of the total adult population has been fully vaccinated. This is compared to 15 702 030 or 39.45% nationally.
• 2 645 845 or 53% of the total adult population have received at least one dose.
• 2 798 558 or 49.86% of the total eligible population have registered for their vaccine.
• 4 483 167 vaccinations have been administered to date.

Vaccine rollout for the total population:

• Of those 60 years and older, 67.04% of the total population are fully vaccinated; 4.72% are partially vaccinated and 28.24% are unvaccinated.
• Of those between 50 – 59 years, 58.17% of the total population are vaccinated, 4.71% are partially vaccinated and 37.11% are unvaccinated.
• Of those between 35 – 49 years, 49.21% of the total population are vaccinated; 5.93% are partially and 44.86% are unvaccinated.
• Of those between 18 – 34 years, 33.70% are fully vaccinated; 8.25% are partially vaccinated, and 58.06% are unvaccinated.
• Of those between 12 – 17 years, 111 121 or 17.19% have been vaccinated to date.

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