The City of Cape Town has urged its citizens and visitors to vaccinate against Covid-19, despite low Covid deaths.
It was recently reported that the country might experience a pick-up in Covid-19 cases during the festive season. In the past seven days, the City said 13 people were reported as having died because of the virus and 14 were admitted to hospital.
“Despite these low numbers, the City of Cape Town’s health department wants to remind residents that vaccination remains the best protection against severe illness from the virus,” reads a statement released by the City.
The City’s Mayco member for community services and health, Patricia van der Ross, said while everyday life has returned to near normality, the virus has not disappeared. “It still causes illness and death,” she said.
“Those who have not yet been vaccinated and residents 60 years and older, remain the most vulnerable,” Van der Ross said.
“While we no longer have to keep our distance or wear masks, we still need to keep up with other health protocols. To mitigate the risk of exposure or getting sick, continue with personal hygiene measures like regular hand-washing and coughing into your elbow,” she advised.
Van der Ross said any resident who is 18 years or older and has not registered for a vaccine yet, can go to their nearest vaccination site for assisted registration and vaccination.
She said the vaccine remains free and available at some City and Western Cape government health facilities.
“Symptoms of infection are the same as those of the common cold, namely a runny nose, headache, sore throat, and fever.”
She said while isolation and quarantine are not legally required, it is advised that if you are ill, you should stay at home until you feel better.
“Covid-19 had a devastating impact on our lives, city, and economy, and we proved we could get through it together. But we need residents to continue doing their part to get vaccinated and tested, if they believe they may have the virus,” Van der Ross said.