COVID-19 LIVE UPDATES | Dr Zweli Mkhize warns that current restrictions need to be reviewed

December 24 2020 - 16:42

Pretty please stay at home this Christmas, says KZN health department

In a last-ditch effort to curb the spread of Covid-19, the KwaZulu-Natal health department has pleaded with residents to stay home on Christmas Day.

Cancelling plans - “even special occasions such as family Christmas lunches” – was better than risking infecting elderly parents and other relatives with Covid-19.

“We are pleading with our fellow compatriots to adopt these norms until Covid-19 subsides,” said KZN health MEC Nomagugu Simelane-Zulu.

December 24 2020 - 13:42

Genetics experts worry coronavirus vaccines might not work quite as well against UK variant 

Large clinical trials have shown that the vaccines by Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna are about 95% effective against the novel coronavirus. Those trials, however, were done before the UK variant started its explosive growth.

December 24 2020 - 13:32

New Covid-19 infections just 'tip of iceberg', warn health experts

Health experts have warned that SA will experience high levels of Covid-19 infections if people continue to ignore safety protocols.

“With the new variant and the festive season, we anticipate that there will be high levels of transmission unless we change our behaviour and adopt non-pharmaceutical interventions of mask wearing and social distancing because that is the only way we will break this rise in infections,” said health department director-general Dr Anban Pillay.

December 24 2020 - 13:30

New study suggests coronavirus variant is indeed more transmissible,

Researchers warn that the British variant is so contagious that new control measures, including closing down schools and universities, may be necessary. 

December 24 2020 - 11:30

'The second wave is going to be a tsunami': Mzansi reacts to SA's highest daily hike in Covid infections

The latest statistics on Covid-19 cases in SA have left South Africans shocked, with some calling on the government to bring back the hard lockdown.

Health minister Zweli Mkhize announced on Wednesday that SA registered more than 14,000 new cases, the highest number of daily infections of the pandemic so far.

December 24 2020 - 10:30

'These beaches will be the end of us!' - Mzansi responds to court ruling against AfriForum

Many on social media have welcomed the North Gauteng High Court's ruling against lobby group AfriForum's request to have the Covid-19 regulations regarding beach closures declared unconstitutional.

December 24 2020 - 08:50

She said the virus has changed everything at the sprawling Fort Worth children’s hospital, where workers have had to adjust to constantly changing plans and procedures.

Inside a special Covid-19 wing of the intensive care unit at Cook Children’s Medical Center, a team of doctors and nurses focuses on the virus’s youngest and sickest victims.

Davis, a mother of three who also has had to alter her personal routine, such as immediately showering when she gets home, sees hope in the months ahead.

Vaccines are now approved for adults but not children under 16.

December 24 2020 - 08:45

Aurobindo Pharma to make COVAXX's potential Covid-19 vaccine for India, UNICEF

The Indian drugmaker also has non-exclusive rights to sell the shot — which is currently undergoing an early-stage trial — in certain other emerging markets, the Hyderabad-based company said in an exchange filing.

December 24 2020 - 08:36

December 24 2020 - 08:33

December 24 2020 - 08:15

South Korea to import J&J, Pfizer Covid-19 vaccines for 16 million people

The government has been facing growing public pressure over their Covid-19 vaccine procurement plans as the country struggled to contain a third wave of the pandemic, reporting its second-highest daily tally of cases on Wednesday.

December 24 2020 - 07:47

Millions of Sydney residents asked to 'limit' Christmas festivities to fight Covid cluster

Australia's most populous city has been virtually isolated from the rest of the country with state border closures or mandatory 14-day quarantine for Sydney arrivals.

"Please limit your mobility," New South Wales (NSW) state Premier Gladys Berejiklian told reporters in Sydney on Thursday.

December 24 2020 - 07:45

Taiwan cancels tourism event after Covid-19 case

Taiwan's tourism department on Wednesday cancelled an annual New Year celebration at the northeastern tip of the island, after a report of the first locally transmitted Covid-19 case since April 12.

December 24 2020 - 06:54

One million Americans vaccinated for Covid; Tennessee new epicentre

“Our state is ground zero for a surge in Covid-19 and we need Tennesseans to (do) their part,” Governor Bill Lee said on Twitter, urging residents to wear face masks and gather only with members of their own household over Christmas.

December 24 2020 - 06:52

Singapore confirms first case of new coronavirus variant found in UK

“There is now no evidence that the B117 strain is circulating in the community,” Singapore's health ministry said late on Wednesday, referring to the new, potentially more infectious UK strain. 

Singapore has been conducting viral genomic sequencing for confirmed Covid-19 cases who arrived from Europe recently.

Man who allegedly killed his hospital roommate's bail set at $1 million

Jesse Martinez, 37, allegedly struck the 82-year-old Hispanic victim with an oxygen tank. Martinez became angry after the elderly man started to pray, according to a statement from Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.

The victim was also ill with the coronavirus, and was being treated along with Martinez in a two-person hospital room.

December 24 2020 - 06:42

Worldwide coronavirus cases cross 78.23 million, death toll at 1,723,054

More than 78.23 million people have been reported to be infected by the novel coronavirus globally and 1,723,054​ have died, according to a Reuters tally.

Infections have been reported in more than 210 countries and territories since the first cases were identified in China in December 2019.

Reuters

December 24 2020 - 06:13

Taiwan cancels tourism event after Covid-19 case

Taiwan's tourism department on Wednesday cancelled an annual New Year celebration at the northeastern tip of the island, after a report of the first locally transmitted Covid-19 case since April 12.

The event, to watch the sun rise on the first day of the year, was due to take place in the coastal town of Fulong.Other New Year's Eve celebrations, including fireworks in Taipei, are still taking place, though with masks mandated for attendees.

Taiwan has so far reported a total of 777 cases - mostly imported - and seven deaths. Around 130 people remain in hospital for treatment. 

Reuters

Overnight

“Unfortunately, Covid-19 is unrelenting and we, therefore, cannot afford to be complacent at this stage,” Health minister Dr Zweli Mkhize said.