COVID-19 WRAP | SA records 868 new Covid-19 cases

November 23 2021 -20:21

Gauteng accounts for 605 of SA's 868 new Covid-19 infections: NICD

SA recorded 868 new Covid-19 cases in the past 24 hours, with Gauteng again accounting for the vast majority.

The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) said on Tuesday that there were 605 new cases in Gauteng in the past 24 hours. The second worst-hit province was the Western Cape with 52 infections. No other province breached the 50 mark.

November 23 2021 - 16:00

Dlamini-Zuma 'not qualified' to tell people how to worship, court hears

Co-operative governance and traditional affairs (Cogta) minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma’s conduct in banning faith-based gatherings must be irrational if she has not given any rational reason for the ban.

This is the submission by Freedom of Religion SA (FOR SA) in a long-awaited challenge before the high court in Johannesburg on Tuesday against lockdown regulations which imposed a ban on such gatherings.

November 23 2021 - 12:19

Lockdown ban on religious gatherings is ‘life and death’ for some pastors

The SA National Christian Forum (SANCF) says its members are pastors who do not attract a financial stipend or a tithe but receive support from congregants by way of financial contributions or groceries.

These pastors believe in-person worship is necessary as opposed to contemplative prayer.

They want co-operative governance and traditional affairs minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma to consider these facts going forward in terms of an outright prohibition on faith-based gatherings.

November 23 2021 - 11:06

SA parents bought or rented devices for children’s virtual lessons during pandemic: survey

More than half of SA families have bought or rented extra devices for their children’s remote learning during the Covid-19 pandemic.

This is according to a global survey commissioned by cyber security company Kaspersky, in which 250 SA parents took part.

In the survey Kaspersky identified the technical challenges families faced during mandatory remote learning after lockdown measures instituted across the globe during the pandemic.

November 23 2021 - 07:27

Booster dose of Pfizer vaccine under review in SA

SA’s Health Products Regulatory Authority has received an application for a Pfizer booster vaccination against Covid-19.

The double-jab vaccine has been rolled out across SA. The application for a third dose was submitted to Sahpra on November 17, the authority said in a statement.

“Sahpra will now commence with the assessment of data for the safety and efficacy of the third dose.

November 23 2021 - 07:22

How can I encourage my colleagues to get vaccinated?

Covid-19 has brought many challenges to workplaces and employers over the last year, with one of these being vaccine hesitancy. 

Encouraging people to vaccinate themselves against the virus without actually enforcing the jab has proven to be a challenge for some. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advised that employers and colleagues can encourage each other to get vaccinated by sharing clear, complete, and accurate messages, promoting confidence in the decision to get vaccinated, and engaging others in plans to address potential barriers to vaccination.

“Allow time for vaccine confidence to grow. Employees who are hesitant at first may become more confident after seeing co-workers get vaccinated,” said the CDC. 

November 23 2021 - 05:05

Disney World puts Covid-19 vaccination mandate policy on hold

Disney World near Orlando, Florida, operated by Walt Disney Co, has put its Covid-19 vaccination mandate on hold, a spokesperson said on Saturday.

The move comes amid the Biden administration's workplace Covid-19 vaccine rule , which requires businesses with at least 100 employees to require staff get vaccinated against Covid-19 or be tested weekly and wear a face covering at work.

Local TV station Fox 35 was first to report the news, citing a cast member at the resort complex.

Reuters