COVID-19 WRAP | SA records 592 new Covid-19 cases

October 12 2021 - 20:23 

Covid-19: 592 new cases, 83 deaths recorded in SA in 24 hours

There were 592 new Covid-19 cases recorded in SA in the past 24 hours, the National Institute for Communicable Diseases said on Tuesday.

The new infections came at a positivity rate — the number of positive results against the number of tests done in the same period — of just 2.1%.

According to the NICD, there were also 83 new Covid-19 related deaths recorded in the past 24 hours. This means that there have been 2,912,938 confirmed infections and 88,429 confirmed deaths to date.

October 12 2021 - 17:49 

Scuffles with police as fans without tickets try to get into FNB Stadium

An entrance to the FNB Stadium in Soweto had to be closed on Tuesday evening after fans without tickets for the Bafana Bafana vs Ethiopia game tried to force their way into the venue.

About 70 fans made their way to the entrance just after 5.40pm, demanding they be allowed on to the stands. They said an advert for the game said entrance was free.

This was the first live international sports fixture in the country since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in March last year, and attendance was limited to 2,000 fans, who had to be fully vaccinated.  Applications for tickets had to be done online, and they were quickly allocated.

October 12 2021 - 12:24 

WHO says it awaits full data from Merck on Covid-19 antiviral pill

The World Health Organisation (WHO) is awaiting full clinical data on the antiviral pill made by Merck & Co Inc to treat mild-to-moderate Covid-19 patients, a WHO spokesperson said on Tuesday, a day after the company said it had applied for US emergency use authorisation.

October 12 2021 - 10:45

Get vaccinated if you want to play Australian Open, minister tells players

Tennis players planning to compete in the Australian Open at Melbourne Park should get vaccinated for COVID-19 to give themselves the best chance of playing the Grand Slam, an Australian government official has said.

Victoria state, of which Melbourne is the capital, has introduced a vaccine mandate for all professional athletes but authorities have yet to clarify whether athletes from overseas or other Australian states must also vaccinate.

Victoria sports minister Martin Pakula urged players to leave no room for doubt.

October 12 2021 - 07:03

Is it Covid-19 or just a bad hangover?

A hangover after a rough night or suspecting something more serious?

The surest way to know if you’ve got Covid-19 or a just a bad hangover after a night out is by taking a Covid-19 test.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), hangovers can cause symptoms similar to Covid-19. Some of the symptoms include hot flushes, dehydration, fatigue and dizziness.

October 12 2021 - 05:30

Under 50 Covid-19 deaths recorded in SA over last 24-hour cycle