Why are cases so low in SA compared to the U.K.?

[Florelei]

South Africa has low covid rates following its omicron wave. However, our rates are still quite high and rising in some areas.

Does anyone know why we are tracking differently please?

South Africa demographics are very different and they reckon they have reached heard immunity through omicron. They are doing away with loads of rules next week

And it’s summer there, always lower in the summer

I’m not sure that SA’s testing figures are the best indicator of covid spread over there, I think the quantity of testing we do in the UK is almost certainly a factor.

If you compare the graphs for fatalities both the UK and SA have fairly consistent levels for the past couple of months which suggests to me that they’re case rate is possibly lower because they don’t feel the need to test as much as we do.

Happy to be corrected on that.

We don't do lft tests either, so have not been going out looking for postive cases.

We have had quite a heatwave which I'm sure has helped.

Out rules are changing yes. No longer need to isolate if test postive with no symptoms.

Apart from still having to wear masks everywhere, we are pretty much back to normal lifestyle wise.

Could it maybe be related to the population density of the UK? We have a slightly larger population than South Africa, spread across a far smaller land area. So it transmits more easily to all parts of the country without any corner escaping.

Also, their omicron wave started a few weeks before ours. Maybe we'll be in a better position in a month's time.

Out rules are changing yes. No longer need to isolate if test postive with no symptoms.

I wonder when the UK allows this?

We are testing the arse out of everyone at the moment, actively looking for cases. Therefore bound to find more.

It's also summer there.

Younger population.

Less dense population.

Younger, healthier population? Just a guess.

Lack of testing? Without a lft we would have thought ds1 had a mild cold, wouldnt have picked it up as COVID at all.

It's summer in SA. They possibly do less testing too?

Nearly everyone I know who tested positive recently was picked up with asymptomatic testing.
Which begs the question of when are we going to stop isolating people because they have something that isn't even making them ill.

SA Southern hemisphere. UK northern hemisphere. They're summer, we're winter and flu/cold season

@Blubells

Out rules are changing yes. No longer need to isolate if test postive with no symptoms.

I wonder when the UK allows this?

I think this is due in March

Just to Point out South Africa has always been younger and had a bad beta and delta wave with the beta wave hitting in the summer! Neither therefore explain why now is so different.

@Dghgcotcitc

Just to Point out South Africa has always been younger and had a bad beta and delta wave with the beta wave hitting in the summer! Neither therefore explain why now is so different.

Exactly. That's my exact question too. Last summer the situation in South Africa was absolutely desperate. Vaccination rates are low so that isn't the reason

Perhaps it's an indicator that natural immunity is helping. Less of their population is vaccinated, but I would think people on the whole are healthier in terms of getting outside, walking, eating less processed crap foods, getting fresh air. People will have been exposed to the virus in many ways I would think, which has allowed their body to build up immunity.

The people who I have known to be sickest with any of the variants have been double or triple vaxx'd. Not trying to start an argument. Just stating my personal observation based on the people I know who have had it as well as the comments from people on here who've had it.

Far, far less testing.