Is the third wave less deadly?

KwaZulu Natal has overtaken both Gauteng and the Western Cape in the number of reported COVID-19 deaths. However, the deaths in KwaZulu Natal are still well off the peak experienced in the second wave. 


The modeling done by NMG shows that the reported COVID-19 deaths are still lagging way behind what is projected for the third wave based on the reported infections. This would indicate that the likelihood of dying if infected in the third wave has not been as high as for the first two waves. This may be due to greater levels of prior exposure to the virus of those infected due to either vaccination or prior infection. It could also be the result of more effective medical treatment.


19 August 2021



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