Weekly excess deaths more than double last winter’s peak
The January figure is triple the number of natural deaths usually seen at this time of year
As the government grapples to contain a resurgence in coronavirus cases and defends its vaccination plans, the latest mortality report from the Medical Research Council (MRC) shows the number of excess deaths in the second week of January had soared to more than double last winter’s peak.
SA has recorded Africa’s worst Covid-19 caseload and death toll, but has lagged many other emerging economies in starting its vaccination drive. On Monday, President Cyril Ramaphosa used his weekly newsletter to defend the government’s progress, assuring the country that enough vaccines had been procured to contain the spread of the virus. The first shots are expected to land in SA by the end of the month, with health-care workers slated to be first in line for vaccination...
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