Author: Staff Writer

The number of new COVID-19 cases in Africa is continuing to decline despite the Omicron variant overtaking Delta as the leading variant on the continent.

This is according to World Health Organisation (WHO) Africa Region Emergency Director, Dr Abdou Salam Gueye.

Cumulative COVID-19 cases across the continent have crossed the 10 million mark, with 230 000 people losing their lives due to complications related to the virus.

“Over the past week, cases plateaued as compared to the week before. Infections have also declined in three of Africa’s five sub-regions. Only North and West Africa are currently witnessing an increase in cases.

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South Africa has recorded 6 762 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24-hour reporting cycle, bringing the total number of laboratory-confirmed cases to 3 540 891. 

According to the National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD), this increase represents a 15.5% positivity rate. 
A further 181 COVID-19 related deaths have been reported, bringing total fatalities to 92 830 to date.

“The majority of new cases today are from the Western Cape (28%), followed by Gauteng (22%). KwaZulu-Natal accounted for 18%, Eastern Cape accounted for 11%, Limpopo 5%; Free State, Mpumalanga, Northern Cape and the North West each accounted for 4% respectively of today’s new cases,” the NICD said in a statement on Wednesday.

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#COVID19 UPDATE: A total of 43,494 tests were conducted in the last 24hrs, with 6,762 new cases, which represents a 15.5% positivity rate. A further 181 #COVID19 related deaths have been reported, bringing total fatalities to 92,830 to date. See more here: https://t.co/NsOhOxSuN3 pic.twitter.com/32hA2uTKc3

— NICD (@nicd_sa) January 12, 2022

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President Cyril Ramaphosa says acts of terrorism and violent extremism that have led to loss of lives, property and displacement of people, especially women and children, cannot be allowed to continue without a proportionate response.

The President was delivering opening remarks at the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Extraordinary Organ Troika Summit, held together with Personnel Contributing Countries plus the Republic of Mozambique on Tuesday, in Malawi.

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held together with Personnel Contributing Countries plus the Republic of Mozambique https://t.co/E1Zm147SF5

— Presidency | South Africa 🇿🇦 (@PresidencyZA) January 11, 2022

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South Africa’s COVID-19 positivity rate continues to show a steady decline, although it is still higher than the 5% suggested by the World Health Organisation.

According to the National Institute of Communicable Diseases, the country recorded 5 688 new COVID-19 cases over the past 24-hour reporting period, with a 14% positivity rate – far below a high of at least 35% experienced in mid-December.

“The proportion of positive new cases/total new tested today is 14.0%, which is the same as yesterday (14.0%). The 7-day average is 18.3% today, which is lower than yesterday (19.2%).

#COVID19 UPDATE: A total of 40,487 tests were conducted in the last 24hrs, with 5,668 new cases, which represents a 14% positivity rate. A further 119 #COVID19 related deaths have been reported, bringing total fatalities to 92,649 to date. See more here: https://t.co/Rnjuo6wJ48 pic.twitter.com/BFHDVtHque

— NICD (@nicd_sa) January 11, 2022

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