COVID-19 WRAP | SA moves back to lockdown level 1

September 30 2021 - 22:12

We could save 20,000 lives, says Ramaphosa as he pleads for SA to vaccinate

As many as 20,000 lives could be saved if the majority of the country's adult population received their Covid-19 vaccines, President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Thursday as he pleaded for all citizens to do their bit.

For this reason, the country will embark on a mass vaccination drive which will allow people to receive their jabs on weekends. Ramaphosa, his deputy David Mabuza, and other officials were expected to mobilise communities to take their jabs as the “Vooma Vaccination Weekends” programme kicks off from Friday.

September 30 2021 - 20:59

IN FULL | Level 1, vaccines, booze, curfew and gatherings: Ramaphosa's address to SA

President Cyril Ramaphosa announced on Thursday that SA would move back to lockdown level 1, meaning that restrictions on gatherings and alcohol sales would be eased and that the curfew would be shortened.

He also called on all South Africans to get vaccinated as a priority, as this would be the best way for life to get back to normal.

Below is his full address, as given to journalists. It has not been edited.

September 30 2021 - 20:33

Covid-19: 1,678 new cases and 101 deaths across SA in 24 hours

SA recorded 1,678 new Covid-19 cases and 101 fatalities in the past 24 hours, the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) said on Thursday.

This means that there have been 2,902,672 confirmed infections and 87,626 deaths recorded to date.

The new infections came at a 4.1% positivity rate.

September 30 2021 - 20:23

SA moves back to lockdown level 1

SA will officially move to lockdown level 1 at midnight, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced in his address to the nation on Thursday.

The decision means that, among other things, the curfew has been shortened, restrictions on alcohol sales eased and more people are now allowed to attend indoor and outdoor gatherings. 

September 30 2021 - 18:30

UK vaccine border rules ignore Africa’s track record, WHO says

The UK’s refusal to recognise visitors as vaccinated unless they received their shots in a handful of select countries doesn’t take into account Africa’s track record of robust inoculation programmes.

This is according to Richard Mihigo, head of immunisation and vaccine development at the World Health Organisation's Africa office.

September 30 2021 - 17:12

Somalia opens first public oxygen plant to help treat Covid-19 amid severe shortage

Somalia's first public oxygen plant opened on Thursday, in a ray of hope for a country where a lifesaving treatment for the coronavirus has been largely unavailable to patients during the pandemic.

Global demand for medical oxygen has surged with the COVID-19 pandemic, and many countries have experienced desperate shortages.

This and a lack of other equipment mean Africans seriously ill from COVID-19 are more likely to die than patients elsewhere, according to a study published in May by medical journal The Lancet, which cited data from 64 hospitals in 10 countries.

September 30 2021 - 16:47

President Cyril Ramaphosa to address the nation at 8pm

President Cyril Ramaphosa will address the nation at 8pm, the presidency confirmed on Thursday.

The address will cover the latest developments on the country's response to the coronavirus pandemic, and follows meetings with the national coronavirus command council, the president’s co-ordinating council and the cabinet.

September 30 2021 - 13:45 

US CDC calls for more Covid-19 vaccinations among pregnant women

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Wednesday issued a health advisory to increase Covid-19 vaccinations among women who are pregnant, recently pregnant or trying to become pregnant, to prevent serious illness and death.

The CDC said its data showed of pregnant people have been vaccinated against Covid-19. Although more pregnant women are now vaccinated, the CDC said uptake of vaccines for pregnant women has been lower compared to the general population.

The health agency said in August pregnant women should be vaccinated against Covid-19, based on a new analysis that did not show increased risk for miscarriage.

September 30 2021 - 07:26

'We are guided by science': Ramaphosa on ending state of disaster

If it were up to President Cyril Ramaphosa, the state of disaster would be lifted today.

“I would like to see the state of disaster ending as soon as possible, but the science tells us otherwise and that is why we still have a state of disaster,” said Ramaphosa.

The president was addressing the media during an impromptu round table discussion at the ANC's headquarters, Luthuli House, in Johannesburg on Wednesday evening.

September 30 2021 - 07:06

How do I minimise the risk of getting Covid-19 at social gatherings?

Whether you plan to attend one of the political rallies being held ahead of the November 1 elections or take advantage of the warmer weather to attend a braai with friends, you may go to a fair share of social gatherings in the next few months. So how do you protect yourself from Covid-19 while out and about?

Under adjusted alert level 2 lockdown, gatherings are limited to 250 people indoors and 500 people outdoors. These restrictions apply to political and religious gatherings, social events, and restaurants and bars.

Experts have been preaching the importance of social distancing, washing your hands/sanitising and wearing a mask whenever you are out of the house.

September 30 2021 - 05:30

We are all exposed to a huge amount of Covid-19 information but not all of it is reliable: WHO