The Department of Health announced that as of 19 January 2023, the cumulative number of Covid 19 cases identified in South Africa stood at a figure of 4 051 787 with 1 296 new cases reported in the last 24 hours.
There have also been 20 new deaths reported, bringing the total to 102 588 deaths.
The department said that the cumulative number of recoveries now stands at 3 943 529 with a recovery rate of 97,3%.
Meanwhile, countries abroad are starting to put safety measures in place amidst covid outbreaks – although the symptoms of the new XBB.1.5 variants are said to be not as distressing as those experienced by other variants.
Symptoms
Medical experts say that the symptoms associated with the new variant still include fever, sore throat, muscle aches, exhaustion, nausea, cough, and sinus congestion.
The experts also confirmed that the loss of taste and smell is not prevalent under the new strain.
The variant is said to be affecting a number of children globally, however, experts have assured that this is not because children were more susceptible to the strain. The explanation for this phenomenon has been attributed to the fact that they were less likely to be vaccinated and were exposed to more crowds of people in schools and other public areas.
China – on the other hand – has been celebrating with large crowds and family gatherings after its government lifted the zero-Covid policy that imposed lockdown restrictions.
The zero-Covid approach was said to have battered the economy and made citizens weary of restrictions and repeated tests.
Protests
Protests were carried out in November against Chinese president President Xi Jinping. A few weeks later, China abandoned the key parts of the zero-Covid strategy.
The country earlier this week rang in the Lunar New Year, which is the most important annual holiday in China.
With the easing of most Covid-19 restrictions, many people could finally make their first trip back to their hometowns to reunite with their families.
Chinese authorities did however report thought that lockdowns would continue but should only apply to more targeted areas like individual buildings, units or floors as opposed to whole neighbourhoods or cities being shut down.
The country also reopened its borders after almost three years.
In other news – Kefilwe Mabote’s new alleged husband revealed
South African influencer and businesswoman, Kefilwe Mabote sent tongues wagging earlier this week when she took to her socials with the content of herself choosing a cow. An action that many believed was her formal confirmation that she is set to get married. However, what the influencer and businesswoman did not show was who exactly she was getting married to.
As such, the search to find out exactly who Kefilwe was getting married started. Many hoped that Musa Khawula would be the first to reveal the news. Learn More