The National Department of Health has declared 3 -10 December 2021 "Vooma Week" in a big push for vaccinations ahead of the festive break.
During this period, all provinces have been requested to increase the number of vaccination sites, especially in travel hubs, shopping malls and recreational areas to vaccinate as many people as possible in the face of the 4th wave.
Minister of Health Joe Phaahla says there are still 4 million people aged 50 years and older who have not come forward for vaccination and they are at a higher risk for severe illness and death.
He adds that young people are not without risk as 40% of hospital admission are people under the age of 50.
According to the latest figures from the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), 11 535 new Covid cases were recorded on Thursday with the positivity rate now standing at 22.4%
Meanwhile, Gauteng continues to see continued high levels of COVID-19 cases and hospital admissions, as the fight against the Omicron variant begins.
Dr Waasila Jassat from the NICD says according to their data at the moment, 13% of patients admitted to hospital are vaccinated while 87% are unvaccinated.
