Omicron’s rise was inevitable, says President Ramaphosa, as circumstances rise fivefold in South Africa

The president stated the variety of each day infections has elevated five-fold over the previous week, with practically 1 / 4 of all COVID-19 exams now returning constructive. Two weeks in the past, solely two p.c examined constructive.

“While the increase in infections is a matter of great concern, we must remember that we anticipated it. Disease models in our country have told us that we will experience a fourth wave around this time and it was almost inevitable that new forms of the virus would emerge,” Ramaphosa stated in his weekly e-newsletter for the nation on Monday.

“As the country enters the fourth wave of COVID-19 infections, we are experiencing infection rates that we have not seen since the pandemic began. The Omicron variant, brought to global attention by South African scientists about two weeks ago, appears to be dominating new infections in most provinces,” he stated.

He stated scientists in South Africa and around the globe are nonetheless working onerous to reply vital questions concerning the new Omicron variant, akin to its transmission potential, its development, whether or not it causes extra extreme illness and How many efficient vaccines will there be towards it?

Ramaphosa urged folks to get vaccinated and take measures to make sure collective security with out ready for strict lockdown guidelines.

“As we enter the fourth wave, and as the country prepares for the festive season, the immediate priority is to get as many people vaccinated. Scientific evidence shows that vaccination is the most effective means of preventing the spread of new infections, and that vaccines reduce serious illness, hospitalization and death,” he stated.

“As the days go by, and as the infection progresses, the reasons for vaccination become more compelling and the need becomes more urgent. Vaccines are safe, and like all other routine vaccinations that we got as children and against diseases like measles, they provide the most potent form of protection available,” he stated.

Ramaphosa stated vaccination was additionally needed for the nation’s financial restoration, as a result of as extra persons are vaccinated, extra areas of financial exercise will open up.

“We can do our job and socialize under less stringent restrictions, and our lives can return to some degree of normalcy. As individuals, we must carefully consider the implications of the risk of becoming uninfected and the risk of spreading infection to our children, parents, relatives, coworkers and those we don’t even know,” Ramaphosa stated.

South Africa is presently on the backside of its five-stage lockdown technique, however there’s hypothesis it may very well be prolonged this week as infections rise quickly.

Ramaphosa confirmed {that a} assembly of the National Coronavirus Command Council could be convened “soon” to evaluation the pandemic state of affairs.

“This will enable us to take even more necessary measures to keep people safe and healthy,” he stated.

With folks annoyed by the last-minute cancellations of main public occasions, Ramaphosa stated proof confirmed that giant public gatherings, particularly these held indoors, carry the best danger of transmission.

“We shouldn’t have to wait for new rules before we can reduce the size of gatherings, because research has shown it to be an effective means of reducing the spread of the virus,” the president stated. Ramaphosa stated hospitals are making ready to confess extra sufferers, despite the fact that the impact the Omicron model can have on this isn’t but recognized.

“In the coming days and weeks, we will learn more about the Omicron variant. Also, we are keeping a close watch on infection and hospitalization rates,” he stated.

On Monday night, the National Institute of Communicable Diseases reported that there have been 86,728 energetic COVID-19 circumstances throughout South Africa.