GARDEN ROUTE DISTRICT NEWS - The Garden Route District has shown a decline in COVID-19 active cases per 100 000 population with 62 active cases per 100 000 this week compared to 89 cases per 100 000 population the previous week.

According to district health spokesperson Nadia Ferreira, the situation for the district as a whole has improved. 

"Although some district hospitals still see pockets of COVID-19 inpatients, decreased pressure is seen across the district. All subdistricts are planning to start escalating services again that were either stopped or rendered with decreased capacity during the third wave," she said.

Vaccination teams are actively busy with outreaches to vaccinate as many people as possible. The Garden Route had a 1% increase in vaccinations for 18 years and older with at least one dose and stands at 45%. The percentage of the total population for the Garden Route that has received at least one dose stands at 31%. This is also a 1% increase from the previous week.

The Garden Route District is slowly moving towards its target of 70% fully vaccinated persons above the age of 50 years and 70% partially vaccinated for the age group 18 – 49 years.

"If you wish to fully vaccinate by Christmas, your first vaccine should be administered no later than 20 October. The Health Department appeals to all citizens to prioritise vaccination," said Ferreira.

High-risk warning
She said persons over 50 years are at high risk when contracting COVID-19. "During the third wave, people aged 50 years and older made up 30% of cases, 60% of admissions, and 83% of deaths due to COVID-19. Get vaccinated now to protect yourself."

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