Thread by @rid1tweets

Time for our Sunday update of #COVID19 in SA🇿🇦

Clear signs of an "Easter wave" (on cue), driven by a resurgence in 3 of the smaller provinces: NC, FS and NW ⚠️📈

• Cases +35% ⬆️
• Tests +19% ⬆️
• Test positivity rate +14% ⬆️
• Hospitalisations +2% ⬆️
• Deaths +51% ⬆️

Confirmed #COVID19 cases up in all 9 provinces this week, but 3 are of particular concern atm:
• NC +104% and incidence rate at 40% of its 2nd wave peak = 3rd wave/resurgence of 2nd wave
• FS +63% and incidence rate now at 33% of its 2nd wave peak = start of 3rd wave
• NW +57%

Trends in test positivity rates per province confirms the increase in infection rates in NC, FS and NW, with positivity rate in MP also of concern:

Finally, for all these trends test positivity data supports the fact that the increase is real and not an artefact of increased testing. While testing has increased,the number of positive tests has increased at an even faster rate, therefore an overall increase in test positivity

Finally finally, I made up the term "Easter wave" due to the timing of the increase. This is not a 3rd wave but a reminder that #COVIDー19 is far from over! We need to understand and get on top of the resurgences in the smaller provinces now, preventing any further spread SA 🤞🙏