COVID-19 WRAP | SA records 2,640 new Covid-19 cases as death toll exceeds 85,000

September 13 2021 - 19:25

SA passes 85,000 Covid-19 deaths as 125 fatalities recorded in 24 hours

SA passed another grim Covid-19 milestone, with the country now having recorded more than 85,000 fatalities linked to the coronavirus pandemic.

The National Institute for Communicable Diseases said on Monday that there were 125 Covid-19 related deaths in the past 24 hours, taking the total number of fatalities since the outbreak of the pandemic in SA in March 2020 to 85,002.

There were also 2,640 new Covid-19 cases recorded in the past 24 hours, taking the total confirmed infections to date to 2,860,835.

September 13 2021 - 15:43

WATCH | ‘Get your jab so we can get back to normal’: TS Galaxy players vaccinated

Players for TS Galaxy FC lined up to receive their Covid-19 vaccinations at the soccer club's headquarters in Benmore, Johannesburg, on Monday.

The event was part of a government drive in which popular athletes and artists receive public vaccinations in an effort to convince hesitant citizens to get the jab.

TS Galaxy captain Mlungisi Mbunjana said he was elated to get his vaccination.

September 13 2021 - 15:23

LISTEN | Cyril Ramaphosa's vaccine passport contradiction spotted by many

The presidency seems to have had a change of heart regarding the potential implementation of a vaccine passport system.

On Sunday night, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that the country was considering implementing vaccine passports for certain events, in a bid to control the spread of the coronavirus.

September 13 2021 - 10:33

From Friday booze sales to gatherings - 5 ways your life will be different under lockdown level 2

Ramaphosa said there was still a need for a curfew. Under alert level 2, it will start at 11pm and end at 4am. This means that non-essential service providers like gyms and restaurants are required to close at 10pm to allow employees to travel home before the start of the curfew.

September 13 2021 - 09:07

Myths and misinformation could be preventing KZN's elderly from vaccinating

The KwaZulu-Natal government believes myths and misinformation about safety of the Covid-19 vaccination may have led to fewer senior citizens wanting to take the jab. 

Speaking at a media briefing on Sunday, premier Sihle Zikalala said there was concern about the lower rate of vaccinations in the province.

“We are vaccinating, on average, 30,000 people each day between Monday and Friday, and less than 10,000 over weekends.

“What is even more concerning is that people who fall under the vulnerable 60 plus age group are no longer registering or coming forward to get vaccinated.

September 13 2021 - 07:05

DA calls for end date to lockdown restrictions and state of disaster

In the wake of SA’s move to adjusted level two from Monday, the DA has called for President Cyril Ramaphosa to commit to an end date for all lockdown restrictions and the state of disaster.

DA leader John Steenhuisen said while the easing of restrictions was welcomed, “the only possible reason for any further restrictions would be to allow everyone over the age of 18 the chance to get vaccinated”.

On Sunday night Ramaphosa announced the curfew will remain in place, but will start at 11pm and end at 4am.

September 13 2021 - 07:00

I recently recovered from Covid-19, can I still donate blood?

Blood donors have to wait 14 to 28 days after recovering from Covid-19 before donating blood again. 

According to the SA National Blood Service (SANBS), people who have travelled to affected countries outside of SA will be deferred for 21 days before they can donate blood. 

Those with confirmed Covid-19 infection will be deferred for 28 days from the date of complete clearance of symptoms, and those who have been in close contact with confirmed or probable coronavirus cases will be deferred for 21 days from the last date of contact.

“To donate, a Covid-19 plasma donor must be symptom-free for at least 28 days. This aligns with recent National Institute for Communicable Diseases guidelines on the collection of Covid-19 recovering persons,” said the SANBS.

September 13 2021 - 06:16

New Zealand PM Ardern extends lockdown in Auckland to September 21

New Zealand's largest city Auckland will remain in lockdown to beat the spread of the Delta variant of the coronavirus, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on Monday.

Auckland will remain in the strict Alert level 4 lockdown until midnight on Sept. 21, after which it will move to alert level 3, Ardern said in a news conference. 

Reuters

September 13 2021 - 06:00

South Africans will soon be required to produce proof of vaccination against Covid-19 to gain access to public spaces.

President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the nation on Sunday, easing several restrictions and placing the country on lockdown level 2.

According to Ramaphosa, the vaccine passport will come into effect soon.

He said the department of health is looking at ways of introducing the passport and said he would give more details on this when he reviews the measures.