Netcare says says early trends indicate patients are experiencing a far less severe form of COVID-19 during the fourth wave.

Netcare CEO Dr Richard Friedland today said many of their patients across Gauteng hospitals, are displaying far milder symptoms than anything they experienced during the first three waves.

Approximately 90% of COVID-19 patients currently in their hospitals require no form of oxygen therapy and are considered incidental cases. Currently 90% of COVID-19 cases now in Netcare hospitals are considered incidental, which means they were admitted for other procedures.

Netcare CEO Dr Richard Friedland says out of a total of 800 COVID-19 positive patients that were admitted since 15 November, 75% of patients were unvaccinated.

Dr Friedland reiterated that the best way to support South Africa remains to take COVID-19 extremely seriously and to be as cautious as ever.

“Netcare strongly supports the need for all South Africans to be vaccinated, as vaccines have been proven to be safe and highly effective in decreasing transmission and saving lives globally.”

“Please also remain vigilant to help protect your loved ones, yourself, and the healthcare system. It is critical for each individual to closely adhere to COVID-19 precautions, including washing your hands regularly, avoiding social gatherings, ensuring that your work and home environment are well ventilated, maintaining social distancing, and always wearing a mask in public and when in the presence of others, to protect themselves and to help prevent the spread of the virus,” he concluded.

Meanwhile, Mediclinic says data from its facilities across South Africa shows that while more younger people were going to hospital for Covid-19, those patients were not critically ill.

Chief clinical officer Dr Gerrit de Villiers says the patient profile for this wave of cases includes younger patients and children under 12, which is significant in comparison to the previous three waves.

A lower percentage of admitted COVID-19 patients require intensive care and ventilation.

Mediclinic’s admission data also shows that 75% of patients currently admitted with Covid-19 have not been vaccinated against the virus.