COVID-19 WRAP | SA's total Covid-19 cases rise to 2,391,223

July 27 2021 - 19:46

7,700 Covid-19 cases, 370 deaths recorded in SA in 24 hours: NICD

SA recorded 7,773 new Covid-19 cases and 370 deaths in the past 24 hours, the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) said on Tuesday.

This means that there have now been 2,391,223 cases and 70,388 fatalities recorded to date.

Most of the new cases (30%) were in Gauteng, followed by the Western Cape (20%).

July 27 2021 - 16:16

Zimbabwe orders all government workers to get Covid-19 vaccinations

Zimbabwe has ordered all government workers to get vaccinated against Covid-19 or risk not being covered by insurance if they are infected and become ill.

After a post-cabinet meeting, information minister Monica Mutsvangwa said the government was concerned about the continued increase in cases and was putting measures in place to combat Covid-19.

July 27 2021 - 14:38

Prisons strained as arrested ‘looters’ test positive for Covid-19

Prisons in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal are reporting that many inmates arrested for alleged looting and violence in the provinces two weeks ago have tested positive for Covid-19.

“Since we started receiving suspects arrested for looting, we have more inmates testing positive compared to officials,” correctional services spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo said on Tuesday.

Nxumalo said in the week of July 18 to 25, 336 inmates and 256 officials tested positive for Covid-19 in prisons across the country.

July 27 2021 - 13:55

Booze bans cost SA’s GDP an estimated R64.8bn, says liquor industry

The four bans placed on liquor sales during the Covid-19 pandemic have cost the country’s GDP an estimated R64.8bn.

This is according to the SA Liquor Brand owners Association (Salba), who said the bans came at a significant financial cost.

The first ban was enforced in March 2020, followed by a second in July and the third in December. The fourth ban was placed on June 28 2021 and was lifted on Sunday after 28 days.

July 27 2021 - 12:47

Sassa warns of fake Covid-19 R350 distress grant post

Recipients of the social relief of distress (SRD) grant can’t seem to catch a break from scammers.

On Monday the SA Social Security Agency (Sassa) warned that a fake post about the R350 grant was doing the rounds on social media, just a day after President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the reinstatement of the distress grant.

The agency warned the public to be aware of the fake post advising people how to apply for the grant.

July 27 2021 - 11:34

Threatened with dismissal or eviction for refusing Covid-19 jab? The SAHRC wants to know

The SA Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) wants people who have been threatened with losing their jobs or rented accommodation for refusing to have a Covid-19 vaccine to come forward.

Gauteng commission head Buang Jones said they hoped this would get the ball rolling to determine the legalities around the issue.

“We are exploring all available legal options and would like to see how best we can address the situation with affected employees and the implicated employers,” Jones told TimesLIVE on Tuesday.

July 27 2021 - 11:30

Eligible for the R350 grant? You have to reapply from scratch

People who are eligible to receive the R350 Covid-19 social relief of distress grant are required to start the application process from scratch to receive it until March 2022, social development minister Lindiwe Zulu told eNCA on Monday.

Zulu acknowledged that while the process can take time, the department must account for the money and ensure it is only received by qualifying individuals.

“Everybody has to apply again. Most know how to do the application.

July 27 2021 - 07:04

How long does it take after a Covid-19 vaccination before I am protected?

It typically takes two weeks after vaccination for the body to build immunity against Covid-19.

This is according to the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), a division of the national health laboratory service.

“The body’s immune system takes up to 14 days to develop strong immune responses after the first dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. With the Pfizer-BioNTech there is some protection two weeks after the first dose, but the best protection is achieved after the second dose,” said the institution.

July 27 2021 - 06:00

Millions have received Covid-19 vaccine and there have been no long term side effects detected: health department