Cape Town – South Africa has recorded 19 842 new Covid-19 infections and 36 deaths, the National Department of Health said on Wednesday.
This brings the total number of Covid-19 related deaths to 90 038.
“As of today the cumulative number of #COVID19 cases identified in SA is 3 071 064 with 19 842 new cases reported. Today 36 deaths have been reported bringing the total to 90 038 deaths. The cumulative number of recoveries now stand at 2 867 966 with a recovery rate of 93,4%,” the department said in a statement.
As of today the cumulative number of #COVID19 cases identified in SA is 3 071 064 with 19 842 new cases reported. Today 36 deaths have been reported bringing the total to 90 038 deaths. The cumulative number of recoveries now stand at 2 867 966 with a recovery rate of 93,4% pic.twitter.com/v3YRddBlha
— Department of Health (@HealthZA) December 8, 2021
According to the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), 73 911 tests were conducted, with a 26.8% positivity rate.
Gauteng continued to be the epicenter of the virus, with 11 703 new cases, followed by KwaZulu-Natal (1 989) and the Western Cape (1 899).
#COVID19 UPDATE: A total of 73,911 tests were conducted in the last 24hrs, with 19,842 new cases, which represents a 26.8% positivity rate. A further 36 #COVID19 related deaths have been reported, bringing total fatalities to 90,038 to date. See more here: https://t.co/4CCXgV2Qus pic.twitter.com/eyyX3l8hsm
— NICD (@nicd_sa) December 8, 2021
South Africa on Wednesday approved Pfizer’s coronavirus booster shots for over-18s, as the Omicron variant dominated the rising new infections.
The South African Health Products Authority said in a statement that it was authorising a third vaccine dose “in individuals aged 18 years and older, to be administered at least six months after the second dose”.
ALSO READ | South Africa okays Covid vaccine boosters for adults
Severely immuno-compromised children aged between 12 and 17 years can be given a third shot at least 28 days after their second dose, it added.
The statement came hours after BioNTech and Pfizer announced that two doses of their vaccine may not be enough to protect against the highly-mutating Omicron variant which is causing global concern that it can transmit faster than previous strains.
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Compiled by Sinothando Siyolo
Additional reporting by AFP
