Several positive developments have been making headlines the past few weeks:
- Earlier in the month Bill Gates mentioned the acute phase of covid will end: https://www.inc.com/minda-zetlin/bill-gates-says-acute-phase-of-pandemic-will-end-in-2022.html
- Opposing parties are calling on the NCCC to end the national state of emergency
- SA will be removed from USA’s red list on 31 Dec
- UK removed SA from their travel advisory red list
- SA reached its peak last week https://mybroadband.co.za/news/science/428248-south-africas-omicron-fourth-wave-has-peaked.html?fbclid=IwAR3SG5sj5TxGuUe5cXKT7Hry8PP4Jp96j0qlPfJdOndiWJLReRPqFZFmMQw
- Most recently government relaxes isolation and quarantining rules which is a step into the right direction towards the end (& of this wave at least) publication is here
Highlights from point 6:
- All contact tracing is to be stopped with immediate effect except in congregate settings and cluster outbreak situations or self-contained settings.
- Continue heightened monitoring, i.e., daily temperature testing, symptom screening.
- Only if there are symptoms, should the guest be tested and managed according to the severity of the symptoms.
- All quarantining to be stopped with immediate effect – vaccinated and unvaccinated.
- Isolation rules are applicable to both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals, as well as high- and low-risk individuals:
- Return to work from Day 10 onwards must take into consideration their clinical status
- For asymptomatic individuals:
- no isolation required
- Self-observation for 5-7 days for the development of any symptoms with enhanced precautions, including avoiding settings where people gather, mask-wearing and social distancing
- Mild disease (symptomatic and positive test, but do not require hospitalisation):
- Isolation period of 8 days
- Must wear mask at all times for duration of isolation
- No need for a COVID-19 test to be performed prior to returning to work
- Isolation beyond 8 days must be supported by a medical report
- Severe disease (tests positive and has exacerbated symptoms):
- Isolation period of 10 days after clinical stability is achieved
- Must wear a mask at all times for duration of isolation
- No need for COVID-19 test to be performed prior to returning to work
- Isolation beyond 10 days must be supported by a medical report
We are almost there, keep going!
My best, Jaco
