Mary Wilson
Well-known member
VOLUME 19. SUPPLEMENTARY ISSUE 4
18 JANUARY 2022
Authors: Dr Selaelo Mametja, Craig Getz and Waasila Jassat
BACKGROUND
The Government Employees Medical Scheme (GEMS) is the largest closed medical scheme in South Africa. GEMS now represents more than 2 million medical scheme bene ciaries. GEMS bene ciaries have been heavily impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. As of the 15th of December 2021, 260,307 bene ciaries have tested positive for COVID-19. There have been 56,164 COVID-19-related admissions and 11,043 COVID-19-related deaths.
GEMS has carefully monitored the experience of its bene ciaries throughout the pandemic and has amassed an extensive dataset. This dataset highlights both the clinical and nancial impact of the pandemic. The article below provides (highly summarised) insights into the recent trajectory of the pandemic since the emergence of the Omicron variant, as it affects GEMS members. Whilst predominately female, GEMS member population generally has a similar geographical distribution as the South African population.
It is widely held that the Omicron variant has been responsible for most infections in South Africa since the 15th of November 2021. 1 To assess the impact which Omicron has had, experience prior to the 15th ofNovember 2021 (when other variants were dominant) is contrasted with experience thereafter. ...
... PERSONS TESTING POSITIVE
Younger persons have become responsible for an increasingly large proportion of the persons testing positive for COVID-19 since the emergence of the Delta variant. This is even more evident since the emergence of the Omicron variant.
In the original-dominated period, 8.9% of those testing positive were under the age of 18 and 19.0% were under 30. The average age was 43.0. In the Beta-dominated period, 7.6% of those testing positive were under the age of 18 and 17.6% were under 30. The average age was 45.6. By contrast, in the Delta- dominated period, 16.2% of those testing positive were under the age of 18 and 28.9% were under 30. The average age was 40.8. In the Omicron-dominated period, 13.4% of those testing positive were under the age of 18 and 29.5% were under 30 (Figure 1). The average age was 38.5
This may suggest that the Delta and the Omicron variants are of a greater threat to the young than previous variants. ...
https://www.nicd.ac.za/wp-content/u...Health-Surveillance-Bulletin-January-2022.pdf
18 JANUARY 2022
Authors: Dr Selaelo Mametja, Craig Getz and Waasila Jassat
BACKGROUND
The Government Employees Medical Scheme (GEMS) is the largest closed medical scheme in South Africa. GEMS now represents more than 2 million medical scheme bene ciaries. GEMS bene ciaries have been heavily impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. As of the 15th of December 2021, 260,307 bene ciaries have tested positive for COVID-19. There have been 56,164 COVID-19-related admissions and 11,043 COVID-19-related deaths.
GEMS has carefully monitored the experience of its bene ciaries throughout the pandemic and has amassed an extensive dataset. This dataset highlights both the clinical and nancial impact of the pandemic. The article below provides (highly summarised) insights into the recent trajectory of the pandemic since the emergence of the Omicron variant, as it affects GEMS members. Whilst predominately female, GEMS member population generally has a similar geographical distribution as the South African population.
It is widely held that the Omicron variant has been responsible for most infections in South Africa since the 15th of November 2021. 1 To assess the impact which Omicron has had, experience prior to the 15th ofNovember 2021 (when other variants were dominant) is contrasted with experience thereafter. ...
... PERSONS TESTING POSITIVE
Younger persons have become responsible for an increasingly large proportion of the persons testing positive for COVID-19 since the emergence of the Delta variant. This is even more evident since the emergence of the Omicron variant.
In the original-dominated period, 8.9% of those testing positive were under the age of 18 and 19.0% were under 30. The average age was 43.0. In the Beta-dominated period, 7.6% of those testing positive were under the age of 18 and 17.6% were under 30. The average age was 45.6. By contrast, in the Delta- dominated period, 16.2% of those testing positive were under the age of 18 and 28.9% were under 30. The average age was 40.8. In the Omicron-dominated period, 13.4% of those testing positive were under the age of 18 and 29.5% were under 30 (Figure 1). The average age was 38.5
This may suggest that the Delta and the Omicron variants are of a greater threat to the young than previous variants. ...
https://www.nicd.ac.za/wp-content/u...Health-Surveillance-Bulletin-January-2022.pdf