COVID-19 WRAP | SA records 3,648 new Covid-19 cases

September 17 2021 - 20:38

SA records 3,600 new Covid-19 cases, 173 deaths in 24 hours

For the second straight day, none of SA's provinces recorded more than 1,000 new Covid-19 cases in 24 hours.

The National Institute for Communicable Diseases said on Friday that there were 3,648 new Covid-19 cases identified in the past 24 hours, taking the total number of laboratory-confirmed cases to 2,877,063 since the outbreak of the pandemic.

The new cases came at a 8.3% positivity rate.

September 17 2021 - 12:29

Russia's Putin to remain in Covid-19 isolation for "a few days"

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday he would have to spend "a few days" in self-isolation after dozens of people in his entourage fell ill with Covid-19, the TASS news agency reported.

Putin was speaking through a video link at a summit of a Russia-led security bloc which was held in Tajikistan. He had planned to attend in person before the news of the virus outbreak in his inner circle this week.

It was previously unclear how big the outbreak was and how long Putin would remain isolated.

September 17 2021 - 12:25

Vaccine passports and jabs for kids are on the way, says Joe Phaahla

The national coronavirus command council will consider an implementation plan for vaccine passports within 10 days.

And Covid-19 vaccinations could be extended to under-18s at the end of October, health minister Dr Joe Phaahla said on Friday.

Briefing the media during a visit to the Free State, Phaahla said the 18 months of lockdown had started to cause more mental health problems, particularly among young people.

September 17 2021 - 08:16

Mandatory workplace jabs should weigh up operational needs and workers' rights: legal expert

Employers who want to implement mandatory vaccinations at their workplaces should conduct a risk assessment and take the constitutional rights of employees into account.

This is according to Jose Jorge, a director and sector head at Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr, who was speaking at the company’s annual employment law webinar on Thursday.

In June, labour minister Thulas Nxesi issued a directive regarding vaccination in the workplace. He said employers should find a “reasonable resolution that accommodates all parties where employees refuse to be vaccinated for medical and constitutional grounds”.

September 17 2021 - 08:10

WATCH | This TikToker is creating brilliant Covid-19 content to encourage you to get the jab

An influential SA TikToker has been creating hilarious and motivational content to push for vaccination among the youth.

Content creator and influencer Mfumo Bamuza's video of him walking into a Discovery vaccine site in Gauteng has gone viral.

In the video, Bamuza can be seen dancing with healthcare workers and urging the youth to get vaccinated.

“Get your jab, quick and easy,” said Bamuza.

Bamuza is best known for posting videos on his TikTok account. He has a fan base of more than 59,000 followers on the platform.

September 17 2021 - 07:40

Dutch to introduce 'corona' pass despite strong opposition

The Netherlands will require proof of a Covid-19 vaccination or a recent negative coronavirus test for entry to bars, restaurants, museums, theatres and other cultural events from September 25, as almost all social distancing measures are dropped.

A narrow majority of Dutch parliament late on Thursday rejected a motion calling on the government to change its mind about the 'corona' pass, as Prime Minister Mark Rutte said it was needed to prevent a new wave of infections.

"We are still in a dangerous situation. Not doing this would bring great risks", Rutte said during a heated debate in parliament.