Covid-19 a mixed bag in Knysna, Bitou

KNYSNA | PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS – After a decline in the first week of the year, Covid-19 cases have dropped again in Knysna but have risen in Bitou.

The fourth wave of the Covid-19 pandemic remains in full swing in SA through the Omicron strain of the virus, but the vaccination drive continues trying to combat the virus.

As at Tuesday 11 January the Western Cape has seen 2 815 106 registrations for the Covid-19 vaccine, 50,16% of the eligible population. In the Garden Route a total of 249 099 people have registered for the vaccine, 50,32% of the eligible population.

In Knysna there has been a total of 35 568 vaccine registrations, which is 61,96% of the eligible population. Bitou has seen a total of 21 675 vaccine registrations, 51,01% of the eligible population.

As at Tuesday 11 January, Knysna had recorded a total of 9 467 cases of Covid-19, of which 8 675 have recovered, 272 have died, and 520 are active cases. The number of new cases in the past eight days, 152, is less than half what was seen last week. It represents a decrease of 19,30% (-77) in new cases from the week before.

The active cases also decreased, falling by 52,80% (-170), with the number the lowest since early December.

The recovery rate has climbed to 91,06% (91,63% last week) while the mortality rate is 2,9%. The deaths increased significantly, climbing by 13 – this could however be due to reallocation of cases within the Western Cape Department of Health's database.

In Bitou as at Wednesday, 5 432 Covid-19 cases had been recorded, with 4 903 having recovered, 140 having died, and 389 being active cases.

This shows 163 new cases recorded between 5 and 11 January, a 24,19% (-52) decrease – this is the only metric in Bitou that has dropped this week.

The active cases rose by 4,85% (+18) this week, and is the third-highest number recorded in Bitou since 17 December 2020. The recovery rate is now 90,26% (90,34% last week), and the mortality rate is 2,6%.

After eight consecutive weeks of no increase in deaths between 2 November 2021 and 28 December 2021, they have increased for two weeks in a row.

Graphics: Blake Linder