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

Over 1 million vaccines administered, 18 - 34 can register coming soon and more

Last update: Friday, 30 July

COVID-19 HIGHLIGHTS

• Over 1 million vaccinations administered in the Western Cape 

• Vaccine open to 18 - 34 age group soon

• Athlone Stadium mass vaccine centre opens  early August

• President Cyril Ramaphosa’s lockdown update on Sunday, 25 July

The Western Cape Department of Health will open several vaccination sites on Saturday, 31 July. These sites will be available for walk-ins where 60 and over coming for their first dose will take priority. Here’s where you can visit a vaccination site closest to you. 

WE’VE REACHED OUR 1 MILLION TARGET

“Over 1 million vaccines administered and 359 282 people fully vaccinated”, Western Cape Premier Alan Winde said in a press release. Currently, a total of 1 072 838 people have received at least one vaccine dose; of that 359 282 have received their second dose and are fully vaccinated, Winde explained. 

Right now, the demand for vaccines in the Western Cape far exceeds the available supplies, Winde confirmed. He added that this imbalance will be rectified in the week after next “when much higher vaccine supplies will be made available to provinces”, Winde said in his weekly Digicon on Thursday, 29 July. 

NEXT AGE GROUP TO REGISTER SOON 

Thursday, 29 July, Western Cape Premier Alan Winde confirmed that because of the unexpected increase in cases last week “we are likely nearing a peak of the third wave but have not yet reached it”. Vaccine supplies will be managed to accommodate 60+ residents coming back for their second dose and registration is open to 35+ age groups. As of 1 September the next age group, 18 - 34 years old will be able to register. 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 1 109 516 vaccines as of 29 July. Plus, the Western Cape recorded 35 927 active cases of Covid-19 (currently infected patients), with a total of 397 162 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 29 July:

• 988 696 total vaccines administered 

• 346 097 recorded recoveries 

• 14 909 deaths
  
  

COVID-19 vaccination update ???? Yesterday (29 July 2021) we administered 33 098 vaccines, making the amount of vaccines administered 1 109 516 to date. #LetsDoThis pic.twitter.com/saMwcfFe4C

— Premier Alan Winde (@alanwinde) July 30, 2021

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 40 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 29 July the National Department of Health has administered a total of 7 279 912 vaccines, according to the Department of Health. So far, the national total of reported cases stands at 2 422 151 cases. Here are the official figures:

• 2 194 762 recorded recoveries, with a 90,6% recovery rate

• 14 750 901 tests have been conducted

• 71 431 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),