Data of cases diagnosed with COVID-19 in those over 60 years during the week of 14 – 20 August when the Western Cape was in its peak of the third wave of COVID-19 infections shows:

• 2455 contracted COVID-19, of which 92% of people were NOT fully vaccinated
• 729 people required hospitalization, with 96% NOT fully vaccinated
• 292 people died due to COVID-19, but 98.3% were NOT fully vaccinated

The Western Cape Department of Health analysed this data even further to share with the communities in each region.

From this data it is clear that vaccines are highly effective, and that getting fully vaccinated will help protect you from ending up in hospital or dying.

Data analysis per region of those in the age bracket of 60 years and older where COVID-19 was diagnosed during 14 – 20 August:

Cape Metro

• 1 413 cases were diagnosed, of which 90% were not fully vaccinated
• 433 cases needed hospitalization, of which 94,7% were not fully vaccinated
• 177 deaths were recorded, of which 97% were not fully vaccinated.

Of the few cases of deaths of those fully vaccinated, investigations found it was due to COVID-19 itself (a ‘breakthrough’ severe infection), in patients who were very elderly and/or with comorbidities. It was not caused by the vaccine.

Cape Winelands

• 299 cases were diagnosed, of which 91% were not fully vaccinated
• 85 cases needed hospitalization, of which 98,8% were not fully vaccinated
• 42 deaths were recorded, of which NONE were fully vaccinated – this means 100% of reported deaths were NOT fully vaccinated

Central Karoo

• 46 cases were diagnosed, of which 96% were not fully vaccinated
• 19 cases needed hospitalization, of which NONE were fully vaccinated – this means 100% of admissions were NOT fully vaccinated
• 7 deaths were recorded, of which NONE were fully vaccinated – this means 100% of reported deaths were NOT fully vaccinated

Garden Route

• 333 cases were diagnosed, of which 96% were not fully vaccinated
• 96 cases needed hospitalization, 95,8% were not fully vaccinated
• 31 deaths were recorded, of which NONE were fully vaccinated – this means 100% of reported deaths were NOT fully vaccinated

Overberg

• 132 cases were diagnosed, of which 95% were not fully vaccinated
• 36 cases needed hospitalization, of which NONE were fully vaccinated – this means 100% of admissions were NOT fully vaccinated
• 11 deaths were recorded, of which NONE were fully vaccinated – this means 100% of reported deaths were NOT fully vaccinated

West Coast

• 207 cases were diagnosed, of which 94% were not fully vaccinated
• 57 cases needed hospitalization, of which 96,5% were not fully vaccinated
• 23 deaths were recorded, of which NONE were fully vaccinated – this means 100% of deaths were NOT fully vaccinated