PRIVATE CONSULTATIONS EXCESS RESPIRATORY ENCOUNTERS

The report is based on data collected from 5 March to up to 21 February 2021 (week 7 of 2021).

Key highlights:

During the last weeks of 2020 respiratory admissions increased to levels higher than those reached in the first wave in adult age groups and in several provinces, decreasing over the past four to five weeks. Respiratory admissions in children <5 years have increased over the past two weeks, possibly related to increasing circulation of RSV and/or other respiratory viruses.
Respiratory outpatient general practitioner consultations increased in all provinces during the second wave, reaching or exceeding the projected numbers in all provinces with available data and exceeding projected numbers among individuals aged ≥20 years, decreasing over the past four weeks. Consultations in children <5 years have increased over the past two weeks, possibly related to increasing circulation of RSV and/or other respiratory viruses.
Outpatient emergency department consultations increased in all provinces during the last weeks of 2020 exceeding levels seen in the first wave in KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape, and among individuals aged ≥20 years, but have decreased over the past few weeks. Respiratory consultations in the <5 year age group increased over the past two weeks, possibly related to increasing circulation of RSV and/or other respiratory viruses.