President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to address the nation in the coming days.
Ramaphosa address: What measures will he announce?
In a statement released by the Government Communications and Information System (GCIS), it was revealed that the president chaired a meeting with the National Coronavirus Command Council (NCCC) “to deliberate on developments in the national response to the COVID-19 pandemic.”
“The meeting reflected on the rate of COVID-19 infections and vaccination, and assessed the COVID-19 prevention measures in force under Adjusted Level 3 of the national state of disaster,” the statement read.
Last week, Ramaphosa and his Cabinet approved the extension of the national state of disaster to run until 15 October 2021. At this time, it is not known what adjustments the president will make to govern the period leading up to this new deadline.
“The president will address the nation on the way forward to achieve population immunity through vaccination, to continue the protection of lives and livelihoods, and the conditions that would apply to a relaxation of regulations and directions linked to the national state of disaster,” the GCIS added.
Before Ramaphosa steps up to the podium to deliver his address that’s come to be known as the ‘family meeting’, the government will consult with political parties and religious groups “on the observance of safety measures.”
Vaccination updates on Wednesday, 8 September 2021
According to the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), 5 372 new COVID-19 cases were recorded on Tuesday, bringing the total number of laboratory-confirmed cases to 2 829 435.
“This increase represents a 12.3% positivity rate,” the NICD noted.
The Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) lead with the most daily infections recorded in the preceding 24 hours. Moreover, 282 COVID-19-related deaths were recorded on Tuesday, bringing the total to 83 899 casualties.
In the last 24 hours, 202 637 vaccines were administered in South Africa. This brings the overall total of inoculations to 13 892 301.