It seems to be inevitable. The third wave might just be on the way, not long after South Africans have finally let down their guard and entered into level 1.
The country has been alternating between level 5 and level 2 since March 2020, and has now moved to level 1 after the Covid-19 infection rates decreased.
We are not in the clear yet, the president was quick to add when he announced the change.
“The threat of the third wave is constantly present, as is the threat of new variants,” President Cyril Ramaphosa said.
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Despite a drop in active cases, health experts believe that the country is likely to face a third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in the winter months of 2021.
SABC NEWS reported that Professor Salim Abdool Karim has warned that the severity of the expected next wave depends on the public’s behaviour.
“We are at a lower level of transmission, we want to keep it there. And we definitely don’t want it spiking up again. We can expect that our third wave will occur somewhere in June or July if there is a new variant then it’s completely unpredictable and we can then expect a much more severe third wave if there is no new variant then our wave might be a smaller one,” he explains.
We look at various ways to protect yourself and help the country avoid a severe third wave. This is what the CDC recommends in the fight against Covid-19.
Keep your masks on
It’s important to continue wearing masks. More and more people are ‘over’ wearing masks. It’s important to keep your masks on to protect yourself and the next person. Wear your mask correctly. Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer before putting on your mask. Put the mask over your nose and mouth. Keep the mask on while you are speaking to the next person. It’s also equally to wash your hands. Scrub your hands and wrists for at least 20 seconds. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth, as your hands touch many surfaces and could potentially transfer the virus. Practise respiratory hygiene, always cover your mouth with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze.
Social distance
Social distancing, also called “physical distancing,” means keeping a safe space between yourself and other people. Stay at least 6 feet (about 2 arm lengths) from other people who are not from your household in both indoor and outdoor spaces. Refrain from hugging and touching people.
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Avoid super spreader events
Super spreader events are commonly known as places where the virus spreads to a large number of people and leads to a cluster of infections.
Places where people are packed closely together and engaging in something that involves a lot of breathing, like singing or talking, can lead to super spreading.
If you have to attend a social gathering, ensure that you always social distance especially during the Easter gatherings.
