Latest News & Developments
5th wave
ActionSA calls for the immediate removal of Covid-19 regulations
Political party ActionSA said businesses had been forced to close, livelihoods were destroyed and the ramifications of these regulations had only served to exacerbate the fragile state of the economy and the unemployment crisis which places the country in great peril
Western Cape may have passed 5th Covid wave - Winde
“I actually think we are past the peak of the fifth wave” - Winde
Monkeypox vaccination campaign not necessary in SA, says NICD
The NICD’s Prof Adrian Puren, said that while no cases have been reported in South Africa, they are preparing for a possible importation of monkeypox.
TIME’s 100 Most Influential People honours two African scientists making a global impact
Professor Tulio de Oliveira and Dr Sikhulile Moyo were honoured for leading the multidisciplinary team who discovered the Omicron variant in November 2021.
SA calls for production of Covid-19 vaccines by Africa; vows to strengthen economic ties with Germany
The president and the German chancellor discussed ways in which Pretoria and Berlin could strengthen economic and social ties.
South Africa has entered a new phase of the Covid-19 pandemic: What does it mean?
What’s notable about the most recent spike is that there are a number of differences between what the country is experiencing and the first four waves of Covid-19 in South Africa.
Slight drop in Covid-19 cases could show SA has reached peak of unofficial fifth wave
Less than a month after South Africa started seeing an increase in Covid-19 cases due to two Omicron subvariants, experts have noticed a slight drop in the number of new cases.
We won’t see as much death in the fifth wave due to vaccines working: expert
A UKZN professor says vaccine efficiency and herd immunity are two key reasons there won’t be as many deaths in the fifth wave of Covid-19.
MEC Mbombo says health department is well prepared ahead of the predicted fifth Covid-19 wave
Health and Wellness MEC Nomafrench Mbombo was responding to questions from EFF MPL Melikhaya Xego about the preparations the department has in place to deal with the fifth wave of infections.
Second jab of J&J is 82% effective against severe disease, says Sisonke study
Researchers examined the effectiveness of a second Johnson & Johnson dose, in more than 240 000 Sisonke study health-care workers.
W Cape health says 5th wave nothing to panic about yet
Western Cape Department of Health not panicking over coronavirus resurgence as Covid cases occupy 8% of hospital beds
Covid-19 vaccination rate remains low despite SA entering fifth wave
The Health Department says vaccinations remain low despite it being the best way to combat the virus.
SA records over 10 000 new Covid-19 cases - biggest jump in months
According to the Department of Health, over 10 000 new Covid-19 cases and 50 deaths have been recorded in SA. The spike in new cases is the largest in recent weeks.
Western Cape breaches 10 000 active Covid-19 cases amid anticipated fifth wave
The Western Cape has breached the 10 000 active cases of Covid-19 mark, with the surge pointing towards the anticipated fifth wave.
5th wave: More than 12 million South Africans, between the ages of 18 and 34, are not vaccinated
It’s been nine months since the rollout of the Covid-19 vaccine for the age group 18 to 34, but only 5. 5 million have opted to be vaccinated.
SA and Gauteng are not in the fifth wave yet, says Department of Health
South Africa and Gauteng are not yet in the fifth wave of Covid-19, says the National Department of Health. For almost three weeks, South Africa has seen a steady rise in the number of reported Covid-19 cases, particularly in the Gauteng province which has contributed to about 50% of reported daily cases.
‘How did we catch it?’: spread of Covid baffles Shanghai residents who stayed home
Many residents blame queuing for the all-to-frequent PCR tests, or deliveries of food and other items, which all rely on volunteers, property management staff, and couriers.
New Covid-19 variant is spreading faster than expected, health expert warns as fifth wave begins
A UKZN health expert said that as Covid-19 infections rose, the impending influenza season would superimpose on the fifth wave.
Covid positivity rate spikes, Omicron subvariant BA. 4 present in Gauteng, eThekwini and Free State
According to the NICD’s latest wastewater-based surveillance report, the areas served by the wastewater treatment plants that have been showing high levels of SARS-CoV-2 in the past weeks are beginning to show corresponding increase in clinical cases.
Global increase in cases likely driven by Covid
OPINION: Typically, it’s recommended that 95% of the population needs to be vaccinated to protect children, writes Conor Meehan.
Covid a time to unite, not bicker
This is a time for the country to unite in a common effort to fight infection, including encouraging vaccination, the taking of booster shots to increase immunity, and adherence to preventive measures.
Have we been underestimating Omicron variant? A new study points to that
Omicron was first detected by South African scientists in November last year.
Africa’s Aspen to slash Covid-19 vaccine capacity within six weeks if there are no orders - CEO
Aspen currently has the capacity to produce around one million vaccine doses per day.
Covid-19 in SA: Over 9700 new infections as positivity rate hits 26%
Two Omicron sub-variants are driving an increase in Covid-19 cases in South Africa and could push the country over the threshold for a fifth wave
International study finds nearly 13% of Covid-19 hospitalised patients had serious neurologic symptoms
Neurologic symptoms are frequently reported even in patients with mild Covid.