Day: December 1, 2021

Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) will release the General Household Survey, 2020 (GHS) results on Thursday, 2 December 2021 in Pretoria. The social and household service delivery report provides a snapshot of progress achieved in basic government services and also assists to identify service delivery gaps for policy intervention.

The GHS report aims to assess the levels of development in the country as well as the extent of service delivery and the quality of services in several key service sectors, including health, education, social security, housing, energy, access to and use of water and sanitation, environment, refuse removal, telecommunications, transport, household income, access to food, and agriculture.

The report was not primarily designed to measure the impact of COVID-19, but findings do reflect the impact thereof on diverse aspects such as an increase in the number of respondents and households who accessed the COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress (SRD), school attendance and child care arrangements, and hygiene practices like hand washing.

The media briefing will be held as follows:

Date: Thursday, 2 December 2021

Time: 11h30

Venue: Statistics South Africa building (ISIbalo House), 1 Koch Street, Salvokop, Pretoria

GPS coordinates: -25.761743, 28.186824

NB: All COVID-19 health and safety protocols will be adhered to.

Source: Government of South Africa

As the country commemorates World Aids Day, the Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) has expressed concern about the vulnerability of young women to the HIV epidemic in South Africa.

The country’s statistics show that HIV prevalence among young pregnant females aged 15-24, increased from 7.9% in 2012 to 20.6% in 2017 and even higher in 2020.

In a statement on Wednesday, the Commission said it will seek a meeting with the leadership of the South African Police Service (SAPS) to understand what steps are being taken to fight the escalating scourge of statutory rape across the country’s nine provinces.

“Our mandate as a Chapter 9 institution is to monitor state organs and ensure that they effectively implement all the laws meant to protect women and girls. Although we are striving to ensure that the South African society is free of gender oppression, the prevailing statistics and developments point to a worsening gender-based violence (GBV) and HIV situation in the country,” the Commission’s Chairperson Tamara Mathebula said.

In the past, the Commission met with the National Police Commissioner General Kehla Sitole and Provincial Commissioner on issues pertaining to GBV.

“The Commission has and is still concerned about the slow pace in processing DNA results by the police’s forensic unit. This has a serious impact in the prosecution of GBV cases.

“Research has shown that there is a direct link between GBV and HIV and failure to address this important aspect not only rob survivors and victims of justice in identifying their perpetrators but also subject them to secondary delays due to the unavailability of DNA results,” the Commission said.

The Commission said the country is experiencing a growing pregnancy rate among girls below the legal sex consensual age of 16.

“The CGE is of the view that the sexual abuse of young girls is playing a significant role in exposing them to HIV infections,” the Commission said.

In 2017, Statistics South Africa reported that approximately 17% of girls aged 12–19 years, who were not attending an educational institution, fell pregnant.

The Gauteng Department of Health recorded more than 23 000 teenage pregnancies between April 2020 and March 2021, with 934 girls between the ages of 10 and 14 giving birth.

The Commission said the country should be concerned by these developments, as they reveal a normalised and widespread statutory rape culture, which exposes young girls to the HIV epidemic.

“The Commission hopes that the sought meeting with the SAPS leadership will shed important light on the rate of reported statutory rape cases and any challenges that may be standing in the way of the victims getting justice.”

Source: South African Government News Agency

South Africa recorded 4 373 new COVID-19 cases on Tuesday, of which 3 143 were reported in Gauteng alone.

According to the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), this means there is now a total number of 2 968 052 laboratory-confirmed cases.

Meanwhile, data shows that the latest infections represent an increased 10.2% positivity rate.

According to the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research’s Ridhwaan Suliman, the seven-day average is up 311% week-on-week.

“Expect a large increase tomorrow [on Wednesday] post-weekend effect,” he warned.

There are currently 2 414 patients who are currently receiving COVID-19 treatment in hospitals across the country, with 119 admitted overnight.

In addition, 21 more people lost their battle to the disease.

The information is based on the 19 477 054 tests, of which 42 664 were conducted in the past 24 hours.

The NICD said it continues to monitor developments around the newly emerged Omicron variant.

“The number of new COVID-19 cases and the percent positivity continue to increase, likely due to the spread of the Omicron variant,” said the NICD Acting Executive Director, Professor Adrian Puren.

He said scientists are still trying to establish if this new variant has increased the ability to spread and/or developed ways to escape some of our immune responses.

He added, however, that the severity of Omicron is yet to be determined and urges citizens to be cautious and reconsider attending events that may become super spreader events, such as indoor gatherings in poorly ventilated spaces or large gatherings.

NICD’s Head of the Division of Public Health Surveillance and Response, Dr Michelle Groome, agreed that responsible actions and adherence to non-pharmaceutical interventions are key to limiting the impact of a fourth wave.

“COVID-19 vaccination remains key, and anyone over the age of 12-years who chooses to vaccinate is encouraged to follow through and join those who have already rolled up their sleeves.”

In addition, she has urged anyone who experiences COVID-like symptoms to self-quarantine and monitors their signs for at least 10-days.

“During the 10 days, you should avoid contact with others, continue to wear your mask and wash your hands often. Should any worrisome symptoms present, we recommend contacting your healthcare provider for assistance.”

Meanwhile, the Department of Health, said it administered 175 395 vaccine shots on Tuesday, pushing the total to 25 619 891.

In addition, the country is now home to 14 475 754 or 36.1% of fully vaccinated adults, while 477 131 children have received the first dose of the Pfizer vaccine.

Source: South African Government News Agency