How reliable are South Africa’s COVID-19 stats?

South Africa's COVID-19 statistics are under scrutiny as questions regarding their accuracy have been raised by experts, including Professor Terrence Kommal, Professor of Practice at North West University and CEO of Omdat Group, USA. In a recent interview with CNBC Africa, Professor Kommal highlighted several concerning issues surrounding the ownership, representation, and accuracy of the data being reported by South Africa. One of the key concerns he raised was the ownership of the data, pointing out that the data being presented by the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) on behalf of the National Genomics Network of South Africa is concerning. Professor Kommal emphasized the importance of data sovereignty, stating that data related to a sovereign republic should be owned by the government of that country and not by a third party entity. He noted that such ownership arrangements could potentially impact the accuracy and veracity of the numbers being reported. Professor Kommal also highlighted discrepancies in the sequencing data being reported by the NICD, raising questions about the sample sizes and the implications for drawing conclusions about the prevalence of the Omicron variant in South Africa. He noted that the limited number of sequencing being done in December compared to previous months could impact the accuracy of the reported prevalence rates. Additionally, Professor Kommal pointed out discrepancies in the clinical outcomes data, highlighting positive trends in terms of decreased hospitalizations and ventilator usage, which were not being adequately communicated alongside the sequencing data. He raised concerns about a sudden increase in reported death rates within a 48-hour period, questioning the validity of such significant fluctuations in the data. Overall, Professor Kommal emphasized the importance of transparent and accurate data reporting to effectively communicate the current situation to the public and avoid causing unnecessary panic. The discrepancies in the data reported by South Africa have raised concerns about the reliability and accuracy of the country's COVID-19 statistics, calling for a closer examination of the data ownership and reporting processes. With the Omicron variant posing new challenges, ensuring the accuracy of COVID-19 data is crucial for making informed decisions and implementing effective public health measures.