When the privileged few returned to South Africa from holidays in Europe with the SARS-CoV-19 virus, many feared the worst. The country’s health service was stumbling, and the economy ripped to shreds by a decade of rampant corruption. Despite this, the country with a population of 57.8 million had only recorded 75 deaths a month later. How did South Africa flatten its Covid curve so quickly?
South Africa Flattened Its Covid-19 Curve Quickly by Moving Fast
South Africa has one of the highest crime rates in the world. It also has one of the deepest HIV infection rates which produced a world-class virus-tracing system. There are two economies operating parallel. These are a western style of living for the privileged few, and a survival existence for the vast majority. Mini bus taxis, buses and commuter trains connect these two worlds.
When Covid-19 began appearing in March, South Africans feared the worst. However, its President had other ideas. As soon as 100 infections clocked up, he shut down the economy except for very essential services. He also deployed an army of 28,000 contact tracers according to NPR News. The national lock down and ban on alcohol had a beneficial effect on the road traffic accident rate. This released more wards to treat covid-19 patients.
Down a Dark Hole But Hopefully Emerging Into a New Light
President Ramaphosa invoked a State of National Disaster whereby he runs the country aided by specialist advisers. He temporarily closed schools and universities. He outlawed sports meetings, the sale of alcohol, and shut down pubs and restaurants and sealed the borders. Even the mini bus taxis went into semi-lock down.
These strategies have worked. South Africa flattened its Covid curve quickly, where other nations failed. However this bold experiment must now taper off, because the economy and the people cannot bear the consequences any longer. Therefore, things will be a little easier from May 1, 2020, when the restrictions drop from level 5 to 4 at national level.
This ‘risk-adjusted strategy’ will allow some activities to resume, but it is still a long way off from normal life. The revised strategy makes provision for greater relaxation at provincial, district, and metro levels. South Africa flattened its Covid curve quickly. Let’s hope the discipline holds, and the trend continues with the risk-adjusted strategy.
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Preview Image: South Africa Covid-19 Statistics
