South African Scientists on Saturday revealed that the Delta Variant was driving the Covid-19 spike.
The country is in the throes of the third wave with confirmed cases rising exponentially, especially in Gauteng.
The latest confirmed Covid-19 cases in the last 24 hours were 18 762 with 215 deaths. More than 11 000 cases were recorded in Gauteng.
Rising infection numbers have seen the government move to consider tougher prevention regulations.
“Today 26 June 2021 a special National Coronavirus Command Council (NCCC) convened, to receive a report from the scientists on the prevalence of the Delta variant in South Africa,” said the Presidency in a statement.
The acting health minister, Kubayi-Ngubane, earlier revealed how the virus – driven by the Delta variant – was spreading at an alarming rate.
The Delta variant ravaged India, where it was noted as spreading faster and was more deadly than other variants of Covid-19.
Minister Kubayi-Ngubane warned South Africa’s third wave of Covid-19 could surpass the peak of the second wave after the arrival of the Delta variant.
As a result of these developments, the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS) convened Saturday afternoon.
NATJOINTS will propose recommendations on the country’s response to both the Delta variant and the continued surge in Covid-19 infections.
President Cyril Ramaphosa will address the nation Sunday at 8pm on the measures decided on.
