COVID-19 WRAP | Comrades 2022: smaller field, entrance fee doubled, vax certificate required

February 19 2022 - 15:34

Comrades 2022: smaller field, entrance fee doubled, vax certificate required

This year’s Comrades Marathon, back after a two-year Covid-19 hiatus, is not only set to have fewer runners but the entry fee has doubled.

The world’s oldest and largest ultra-marathon will be run for the 95th time this year after the 2021 centenary run was cancelled because of the pandemic.

The Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) held the 2022 race media launch this week, saying the event would be held in August this year and for the foreseeable future.

February 19 2022 - 14:00

Sahpra gives green light to Covid-19 pill molnupiravir — here’s what you need to know

In a bid to curb the spread of Covid-19, the SA Health Products Regulatory Authority (Sahpra) has given the green light for molnupiravir pills to be used in the treatment of patients.

The Covid-19 treatment pill was approved on Thursday after phase 2 and 3 clinical trials showed it reduces the risk of hospitalisation and death. 

Molnupiravir is only authorised for use in patients aged 18 years and older.

The authorisation is for a limited quantity of 200mg capsules (lagevrio) and is initially limited to a period of six months.

February 19 2022 - 10:30

Australia reports 43 Covid deaths before expanded border reopening

Australia recorded 43 coronavirus-related deaths on Saturday, as it readies to welcome international tourists on Monday for the first time in nearly two years.

The country, which shut its borders in March of 2020, has been gradually reopening since November, allowing first Australians to travel, then international students and workers, and now leisure travellers.

Once a champion of a zero-Covid strategy, the country has moved to live with the coronavirus in the community, chiefly through high vaccination rates that have resulted in less severe cases and fewer hospitalisations.

Even Western Australia, the mining-heavy state that has kept strict borders controls for almost 700 days, has decided it can cope with the Omicron outbreak and will reopen to triple-vaccinated visitors.

The state on Saturday recorded 257 new community infections, its highest yet, and no deaths. Australia's deaths were reported mainly in New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland, states that continue to see several thousand daily cases or more.

Victoria, Australia's second-most populous state, will open a new quarantine hub for unvaccinated international residents on Monday."

The Omicron variant has shown us we must continue to be flexible in our pandemic response - and the purpose-built (hub) will be vital to how we manage pandemics today and into the future," Lisa Neville, the state's police minister responsible for quarantining, said on Saturday.

Fully vaccinated travellers, Australians and international, are not required to quarantine in managed facilities.

New Zealand, Australia's closest neighbour, which keeps its international borders nearly fully shut, recorded 1,901 community cases, one of its highest daily tallies.

The two are among the most highly vaccinated countries, with more than 94% of people aged 16 and over double-dosed in Australia and 94% of those 12 and older fully vaccinated in New Zealand. 

Reuters

February 19 2022 - 09:30

Hong Kong resident questions quarantine ordeal after experience

Hong Kong accountant May Ng says her family made huge sacrifices last month to comply with the city's Covid-19 policies, but now thinks these were in vain as she does not expect the latest outbreak to be contained.

February 19 2022 - 09:00

Six African countries to receive mRNA vaccine tech

The World Health Organization said that six African countries - Egypt, Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa and Tunisia - would receive the technology needed to produce mRNA Covid-19 vaccines as part of a technology transfer project launched last year.