DEVELOPING: Coronavirus COVID-19 in Cape Town. Updates + practical tips

We may reach 1 000 000 vaccinations by early next week, says Winde

Last update: Tuesday, 27 July

COVID-19 HIGHLIGHTS

• WC prepared for third-wave peak, says premier Alan Winde

• Athlone Stadium mass vaccine centre to open early August

• Vaccine ope to 18 - 34 age group soon

In case you missed it, President Ramaphosa addressed the nation on Sunday, 25 July with encouraging lockdown news and updates.
 

Good news for the province: Western Cape Premier Alan Winde said that we have most probably reached the height of the third wave and “it seems that the province will peak below its second wave peak”. Plus, our advanced planning means that we will have the capacity to respond, Winde said in a press release on Monday, 26 July.

VACCINATION PROGRAMME IS SCALING UP

Our vaccination programme is expected to reach 1 000 000 vaccinations by early next week, Winde said. What we can expect for this week (26 - 30 July), thanks to the 93 600 vaccines we have already received, we will be able to sustain our capacity at about 200 vaccination sites across the province, Winde said in a media statement on 24 July.

1/3 #LetsDoThis ➡️ Vaccine sites active for the week of 26 - 30 July ????

????Metro vaccination sites: pic.twitter.com/Lo2ObEyd6K

— Premier Alan Winde (@alanwinde) July 26, 2021

THE NEXT AGE GROUP TO REGISTER SOON 

Thursday, 22 July, the Western Cape reached a vaccination milestone of registering a total of 1 064 481 people in the province. Winde added that the 35 - 49 age group are rapidly registering since EVDS opened on 15 July. Plus, the next age group between 18 and 34 years old will be able to register from 1 September, here’s how you can register for the vaccine.

Level 3 restrictions as announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa pic.twitter.com/BT9L1GKDxu

— Presidency | South Africa ???????? (@PresidencyZA) July 25, 2021

COVID-19 UPDATE IN WESTERN CAPE: THE SITUATION NOW

The Western Cape had administered a total of 951 369 vaccines as of 27 July. Plus, the Western Cape recorded 33 604 active cases of Covid-19 (currently infected patients), with a total of 388 800 confirmed cases, according to the Western Cape government’s dashboard. 

Below are the Western Cape stats, according to the WC government’s dashboard as of 27 July:

• 951 369 total vaccines administered 

• 340 541 recorded recoveries 

• 14 655 deaths

Good news: By early August you can register at Cape Town’s first mass drive-through and walk-through vaccination site at Athlone Stadium. The City of Cape Town aims for the walk-through service to be operational by early August and the drive-through section to open two weeks later. 

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT ???? The City of CT and the WC Gov are proud to announce the Athlone Stadium as the first drive-through and walk-through mass vaccination site in the WC ???? Read the joint statement by the @CityofCT and @WesternCapeGov ▶️ https://t.co/3MS86hVdtf pic.twitter.com/O159bmWLon

— Premier Alan Winde (@alanwinde) July 12, 2021

Both the drive-through and walk-through services will have four vaccination stations with five lanes for the drive-ins and forty stations for the walk-ins. This partnership between the City of Cape Town and the Western Cape Government will also boost access to vaccines for the Cape Flats, Winde stated in the press release.

COVID-19 IN SOUTH AFRICA: THE SITUATION NOW

As of 26 July the National Department of Health has administered a total of 6 613 704 vaccines, according to the Department of Health. So far, the national total of reported cases stands at 2 383 490 cases. Here are the official figures:

• 2 169 452 recorded recoveries, with a 91% recovery rate
  
  
• 14 587 196 tests have been conducted
  
  
• 70 018 total deaths

THESE ARE THE BASICS TO STAYING SAFE

Here’s how we can stay safe according to the official coronavirus website:

• Wash your hands regularly with soap or an alcohol-based hand sanitiser. It’s still one of the most effective ways to keep the virus at bay.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

• Cover your mouth or nose when you cough or sneeze with a flexed elbow or tissue, then throw the tissue in the bin.

• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

  
  
  

WATCH: NEW CORONAVIRUS MYTHS GET BUSTED BY EPIDEMIOLOGISTS

Science Insider brought back epidemiologists Syra Madad and Stephen Morse to debunk 14 NEW myths about the coronavirus. Some of these myths include washing vegetables with bleach, young kids having immunity, warm weather slowing down the virus and more. Brush up on your Covid-19 knowledge even more by getting familiar with the answers to frequently asked questions about the coronavirus.

HOW SOUTH AFRICA EASES IN AND OUT OF LOCKDOWN

There is a risk-adjusted lockdown strategy in place. There are 5 levels, which will work similarly to loadshedding. These levels are implemented based on the number of new infections and healthcare-system readiness. We are currently under level 4 lockdown. 

For the latest regulation changes that should come with a new level, read our lockdown news update.

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CapeNature has reopened access to beaches, dams, rivers, lakes, public parks and swimming pools (subject to health protocols),