South African scientists see no sign that the omega-3 coronavirus is causing a more serious illness, they said on Friday, as authorities announced plans to promote vaccines with the daily infection. Reaching the highest level of all time.


South Africa alerted the world about Omekron late last month, sounding the alarm that a highly modified form could trigger a new surge in global infections.


Hospital statistics show that COVID-19 admissions are now increasing rapidly in more than half of the country's nine provinces, but deaths are not increasing so dramatically, and the length of hospital stay, such as The indications are satisfactory.


Although scientists say more time is needed to reach a final conclusion, Health Minister Joe Fahla said the signs of severity are positive.


"Preliminary data show that while hospital admissions rates are rising; it seems that this is entirely due to the numbers and not as a result of the different intensities of this Omicron," They said.


More than 22,000 new COVID-19 cases were reported in South Africa on Thursday, a record during the current fourth wave of Omicron-transmitted infections but more than 26,000 cases per day during the third wave driven by Delta Variant. Are below the top.


It has fully vaccinated about 38% of adults, more than in many other African countries but far below the government's year-end target. It has recently delayed the delivery of some vaccines due to the slow pace of vaccination.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           The Pfizer Biotech vaccine booster will be available to people six months after they receive their second dose, and the first people will be eligible later this month, Health Department Deputy Director General Nicholas Crisp said Friday.


Johnson & Johnson boosters, already available to health workers in a research study, will soon be introduced to others, he said.


Crisp denied that the booster offer was a way to use the vaccine stock. "We do not need to use vaccines. They are expensive and we will use vaccines only if there is evidence to do so," he said.


The World Health Organization (WHO) this week recommended boosters for those who have lost immunity or who have received the inactivated COVID-19 vaccine to protect against weakened immune systems. But he has previously said that basic food management should be a priority, as vaccination rates are alarmingly low in many developing countries.


A small study from a research institute in South Africa this week suggested that Omicron may be partially protected from two doses of the Pfizer vaccine, but the company and its partner, BioNTech, say their vaccine A three-shot course can neutralize Omicron in the laboratory. .


Glenda Gray, president of the South African Medical Research Council, said there were far more non-vaccinated people admitted to hospitals in South Africa and that there was evidence that the Pfizer vaccine was still providing protection.


"We are seeing that the vaccine is maintaining its effectiveness. It may be slightly reduced, but we are seeing that the effectiveness is being maintained for hospitalization and it is very encouraging." They said.