As Covid-19 case numbers increase across the province, with an average of 86 news hospital admissions each day, and around 15 deaths each day, the province is looking to ramp up vaccinations and enforce restrictions on gatherings to contain the third wave.

Speaking at the regular health and vaccination digital news conference update, provincial head of health Dr Keith Cloete said that across the province case numbers are increasing rapidly, with an average of one thousand and 36 new cases each day.

Dr Cloete said the province had received confirmation from the national department of health that it will receive one hundred and ninety one thousand eight hundred and eighty doses of Pfizer this week, to be used over two weeks. The weekly supply pipeline of J&J is also expected to be confirmed over the coming week.

Meanwhile, the next phase in the province’s vaccination strategy is the opening of mass vaccination sites.

This is being done in time for the announcement expected in the next week that the target of vaccinating 70% of the over 60s has been met, and the transition to other age groups can begin.