Steep Covid-19 case decreases in CX

KNYSNA | BITOU NEWS - The downward trajectory in both the active and new cases continues in Knysna and Bitou this week, with the lowest figures in months for both sub-districts.

According to WC Department of Health spokesperson Nadia Ferreira, vaccination teams are actively busy with outreaches to vaccinate as many people as possible.

The Garden Route had a 1% increase in vaccinations for people 18 years and older with at least one dose and now stands at 45%.

The percentage of the total population for the Garden Route who have received at least one dose stands at 31%.

"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 to 49 years," Ferreira said.

As at Tuesday 19 October, Knysna had recorded a total of 8 050 cases of Covid-19, of which 7 766 have recovered, 255 have died, and 29 are active cases. This indicates a total of seven new cases between 13 and 19 October, which amounts to a 50% decrease (-7) from the previous week.

It is also the lowest number of weekly new cases in Knysna since 18 May.

The active cases dropped by 36,96% (-17) this week, its lowest number since 25 May. The recovery rate has increased to 96,47% (96,25% last week) - the highest number since 30 Sep-tember 2020 - while the mortality rate stays on 3,2%.

Graphics: Blake Linder

In Bitou as at Tuesday, 4 341 Covid-19 cases had been recorded, with 4 184 having recovered, 132 having died, and 24 being active cases.

This shows a total of only three new cases recorded between 13 and 19 October, dropping by 88,46% (-23) from last week. This the lowest number of new cases in Bitou since 23 September 2020.

The active cases dropped by 56,36% (-31) this week, the lowest number since 10 May. Bitou's recovery rate is now 96,38% (95,69% last week), its highest percentage since the sub-district was on 100% recovery rate on 29 May 2020, and the mortality rate is 3,1%.