China News Service, November 29, reported a comprehensive report that a top infectious disease epidemiologist warned on the 29th that the newly discovered Omi Keron variant virus may cause a surge in confirmed cases of new crowns in South Africa this week to exceed 10,000. May increase the infection rate by two to three times.
Dr. Salim Abdul Karim said at an online press conference held by the Ministry of Health of South Africa: "I expect that by this weekend, the number of (coronavirus confirmed) cases will exceed 10,000, (and) Put pressure on the hospital in the next two or three weeks."
Data map: A new crown pneumonia virus detection site in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Photo by China News Agency reporter Wang Xi
South African health monitors reported more than 2,800 new crown cases on the 28th, which is higher than the daily average of 500 cases the previous week and 275 cases two weeks ago.
Karim said: "Although the clinical manifestations of Omi Keron have not deteriorated, the known cases have not yet appeared'red flags'... But because of the rapid spread, we are likely to see (increased cases). "
Official data show that in the past month, the number of hospitalizations in Gauteng, South Africa's most populous province, has more than doubled, and it is also the center of this new outbreak.
Local health officials said the province has entered the fourth wave of new crown outbreaks.
It is estimated that by the end of 2021, the epidemic will spread to other parts of South Africa.