SA Level 4 lockdown extended until 25 July

Vaccine update:

• Globally, over 3.41 billion doses have been administered across 180 countries at a rate of 32 million doses a day.
• Locally, 4.236 million vaccines have been administered to date. 6.4% of the population have been partially vaccinated, while 2.3% have been fully vaccinated.
• Discovery conducted a study between 17 May and 29 June looking at the effect of one dose of the vaccine 21 days after it had been administered to people of 60 years or older. Around 46,000 people were in this study which looked at how this group’s infections, hospitalisations and deaths compared to a matched clinical cohort of unvaccinated members. The results show both a lower rate of Covid infections and Covid-related hospital admissions among members who had been vaccinated with one dose, compared to the unvaccinated. Within the vaccinated member group, 176 infections occurred and 49 Covid-related hospital admissions and within the unvaccinated group 260 infections were recorded and 84 hospital admissions.
• Pfizer vaccine efficacy: in the case of the Beta variant, studies have shown that the vaccine is still very effective in preventing severe disease caused by the Beta variant. For the Delta variant, data from cases in England has revealed that the variant reduces the efficacy of the Pfizer vaccine to prevent Covid from 51% to 33% after one shot and 93% to 87,9% after two shots of the vaccine.
• Data released by the Israeli government shows that the vaccine provides 93% protection against serious illness and hospitalisation against the Delta variant.

 Global cases update:

• Cases have surpassed 187.64 million, while the death toll has surpassed 4.04 million; recoveries are at 171.60 million.
• The US has 34.73 million cases, accounting for 19% of global cases; the US death toll is 622,845. 
• India has 30.87 million cases and 408,792 deaths; Brazil has 19.08 million cases and 533,546 deaths.
• The US has reported the most new infections since mid-May as the Delta variant spreads in parts of the US.
• US infectious disease specialist Anthony Fauci has said that “ideological rigidity” is preventing people from getting vaccinated. 
• France is at the start of a new wave; its spread is about 4 weeks behind the UK.
• The French president is expected to address the nation on measures to control the Delta variant spread.
• UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to warn the UK to stay vigilant in a news conference to confirm the easing of restrictions on 19 July. 
• The UK government will likely issue guidance that people are expected to wear masks indoors after that date. 
• Tokyo enters a state of emergency for the 4th time today, which will run through to 22 August, covering the duration of the Tokyo Olympics.

 Africa cases update:

• Africa’s Covid-19 cases are at 6 million; fatalities are at 152,194.
• Morocco has 542,462 reported cases, Nigeria 168,552, Ghana 97,585, Kenya 188,754.
• New infections rose by almost 200% between June and July and the rolling weekly average of daily new deaths has surged since the beginning of June.
• The increases may be attributed primarily to the rapid spread of the Delta variant.
• 36 countries reported a rise in active infections last week; 12 countries have now detected "variants of concern", 9 of which are battling the Delta variant.

 South Africa cases update:

• SA currently has the 18th highest caseload, at 2.195 million; 16,302 new cases were reported yesterday.
• Active cases are at 208,709; Gauteng continues to lead the way with 91,022 active cases, followed by the Western Cape with 27,857.
• Covid-19 deaths rose by 151 yesterday, to 64,289; 1.922 million people (or 87.6%) have recovered from the virus.
• 13.9 million tests have been conducted since 5 March 2020; 53,653 tests were conducted yesterday.
• The positivity rate is 30.4%.
• President Ramaphosa has extended Level 4 of the lockdown to 25 July; schools will remain closed until 26 July.
• Restaurants and eateries will be able to operate while observing strict health protocols; they may not accommodate more than 50 people at a time or, for smaller venues, more than 50% of their normal capacity. The curfew from 9pm to 4am remains in place.

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