PUBLISHER: B4SA
This update – the 68th of its kind and final version for 2021 – contains a consolidated overview of the South African supply chain and the current state of international trade. Newly reported COVID-19 infections averaged approximately 20 549 per day (↑37% from last week’s average of 15 044) this week. In total, South Africa has now recorded 3,26 million6 cases, with 90 262 (up by 202) regrettably losing their lives to the virus. Globally, COVID-19 infections total more than 274 million, with the death toll passing 5,35 million this week. On the vaccination front, 8,64 billion vaccine doses have now been administered worldwide7. For South Africa, this figure stands at ~27,4 million, with a daily average of ~75 000 doses administered in the past week. Consequently, we are seemingly losing momentum with our vaccination drive, and with the annual holiday season upon us, this is unlikely to improve until around mid-January.