Coronavirus (Covid-19) continues to spread in South Africa and this time more than ever, the virus is starting to make gains in infections and casualties.
Covid-19 in South Africa: Latest infections, deaths report
The Western Cape its neighbour, the Eastern Cape, and Gauteng lead as the provinces with the majority of the stake in infections and deaths.
According to the latest situation report released by the National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD), 7 210 Covid-19 cases were recorded from 35 905 tests conducted in the last 24 hours
Infections, death figures per province
Furthermore, 73 new deaths related to Covid-19 were recorded on Wednesday, bringing the total to 2 413.
These are the infection and death figures recorded for each province:
Is dexamethasone the solution to Covid-19?
In his most recent statement, Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize announced a breakthrough in Covid-19 research.
Dexamethasone is used to treat allergic reactions, asthma, certain cancers and inflammatory disorders. A breakthrough in the UK’s Randomised Evaluation of COVid-19 thERapy (RECOVERY) trial could see this steroid introduced as a possible intervention method to prevent deaths.
According to a statement published by South Africa’s Ministerial Advisory Committee (MAC), dexamethasone reduced deaths by one-third in patients who were under ventilation, and by one-fifth in patients on oxygen support.
“A total of 2 104 patients were randomised to receive dexamethasone 6mg once per day for 10 days and were compared with 4 321 patients randomised to usual care alone.
“Among the patients who received usual care alone, 28-day mortality was highest in those who required ventilation (41%), intermediate in those patients who required oxygen only (25%), and lowest among those who did not require any respiratory intervention (13%),” MAC wrote.
In reaction to this, Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize noted with excitement how promising this breakthrough is in combating Covid-19.
“We are very pleased that MAC has issued an advisory pertaining to the clinical applications of these breaking study results,” he said.
The application of dexamethasone in South Africa has yet to be confirmed.
