COVID-19 WRAP | Sahpra approves J&J Covid-19 boosters

December 23 2021 – 14:03

You asked, we responded: Seven burning Covid-19 questions answered

The Covid-19 pandemic has brought a wave of safety concerns, including how the coronavirus spreads.

Governments globally have addressed safety concerns and responded to questions about the Covid-19 vaccine. The SA government administers the Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson vaccines to all eligible citizens over the age of 12.

Here are seven of the most burning questions you asked in 2021 — and should help as we navigate the pandemic in 2022.

December 23 2021 – 14:01

Funerals could be delayed as Covid-19 strains Western Cape pathologists

Funerals could be delayed in the Western Cape as the provincial forensic pathology services (FPS) reel under the pressure of Covid-19.

This was revealed on Thursday by Ryan Clayton, acting director of pathology services in the province.

“FPS is currently experiencing high caseload admissions which is further impacted by a high staff Covid-19 infection rate. The Western Cape government health department requests that families remain patient should there be any case delays,” he said.

December 23 2021 – 12:32

Sahpra approves J&J Covid-19 boosters

SA's health products regulator on Thursday approved the use of Johnson & Johnson's (J&J) vaccine for a second dose or booster, paving the way for the shot widely used in SA to shore up protection against the Omicron variant.

SA already announced in December that it was preparing to offer people booster doses of both the Pfizer and J&J shots, but it did not specify when J&J boosters would be available.

The SA Health Products Regulatory Authority (Sahpra) said in a statement on Thursday that it had approved J&J shots for use as a second dose or booster at least two months after the completion of the person's primary vaccination, with either J&J's single-shot course or another approved mRNA Covid-19 vaccine. – Reuters

December 23 2021 – 12:29

‘I couldn’t stand for even 10 seconds’: Accountant on lengthy Covid-19 struggle

“The severity with which I had been affected by Covid-19 makes no sense at all,” says a young Johannesburg accountant, Mbusi Ndlovu, who has been locked in a life-or-death battle with Covid-19 for more than a year.

This time last year Ndlovu, who was only 29, went to the gym, had no pre-existing conditions, no lung problems and was a non-smoker. Then he landed in hospital.

“If the story of my ordeal with Covid-19 can convince at least one person to get vaccinated, it might just save a life,” he said.

December 23 2021 – 11:45

Medical research council detects drop in Covid-19 at wastewater plants

The SA Medical Research Council’s (SAMRC) wastewater surveillance team has seen a decline in concentrations of SARS-CoV-2 RNA fragments in the majority of wastewater treatment plants.

The team undertakes weekly sampling and analysis from 72 wastewater treatment plants in urban and rural areas across four provinces (Gauteng, Limpopo, the Eastern Cape and the Western Cape) to support the management of Covid-19 in SA.

The concentrations of non-infectious SARS-CoV-2 RNA fragments are levelling off or declining in both urban and rural areas.

December 23 2021 – 11:35

US authorises Pfizer oral Covid-19 treatment, first for at-home use

The United States on Wednesday authorised Pfizer Inc's antiviral Covid-19 pill for people ages 12 and older at risk of severe illness, the first oral and at-home treatment as well as a new tool against the fast-spreading Omicron variant.

Pfizer's antiviral regimen, Paxlovid, was nearly 90% effective in preventing hospitalisations and deaths in patients at high risk of severe illness, according to data from the company's clinical trial. Recent lab data suggests the drug retains its effectiveness against Omicron, Pfizer said.

Pfizer raised its 2022 production projections to 120-million courses of treatment from 80-million and said it was ready to start immediate delivery in the US. The treatment's two-drug regimen includes a new medicine and a second older antiviral called ritonavir.

December 23 2021 – 08:09

Cape Town’s ‘hospital of hope’ provided relief during Covid-19 crisis

Turning Cape Town’s largest conference venue, the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC), into a Covid-19 field hospital slashed the stays of those treated for the disease in other city hospitals by half, a new study has revealed.

The University of Cape Town (UCT) research, carried out during the first wave of the pandemic last year, also found that Covid-19 patients who were recently diagnosed with diabetes and those with uncontrolled diabetes were likely to experience Covid-19 complications and mortality.

Researchers say these findings could explain the increased susceptibility of the Cape Town population to Covid-19 complications and mortality.

December 23 2021 – 07:44

Is ‘long Covid’ contagious?

While many have developed persistent Covid-19 symptoms long after recovering from the virus, a condition known as “long Covid”, the World Health Organisation (WHO) says it is not contagious.

Long Covid is generally diagnosed in cases where symptoms remain about four weeks after recovery or after a negative test.

While doctors advise continuing following health and safety protocols implemented during the pandemic, the WHO said it cannot be passed on to others.

December 23 2021 – 07:16

Japan rules out changes to Covid-19 curbs despite Omicron

Japan's government is not considering an immediate change to current Covid-19 restrictions, chief cabinet secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said on Thursday, a day after community transmission of the Omicron variant was discovered in the country. – Reuters