Covid-19: SA's infection rate set to remain low over next few weeks, AI system predicts

An Artificial Intelligence (AI) powered early detection system has predicted the country is at a low risk of a third wave of Covid-19 infections, at least for now.

Following a busy Easter holiday period, the algorithm shows a low risk of third wave infections across all provinces. .

Professor Bruce Mellado, director of the Institute for Collider Particle Physics at Wits University, said: "The current data shows us the risk for a third infection wave of Covid-19 is small across most of the provinces in South Africa, but we still remain highly vulnerable.".

He said the algorithm then compares all the current data with previous waves of the disease, and it makes a prediction on whether there would be a new wave or not. 

"The wave might happen on week three, but we will be looking at the data and we'll be able to make that prediction next week

Dr James Orbinski, director of the York University Dahdaleh Institute for Global Health Research, said: "These parameters are consistent with clinical public health measures that can contain, control and mitigate against the Covid-19 pandemic," said 

Mellado added that, while the risk is low now, it is still crucial for people to adhere to Covid-19 regulations, like mask-wearing and social distancing