COVID-19 WRAP | There are 6,892 Covid-19 patients hospitalised in SA

January 21 2022 - 18:36

There are 6,892 Covid-19 patients hospitalised in SA

As of Friday there were 6,892 people admitted to public and private hospitals in SA with Covid-19.

The National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD) said in an update that 3,520 new Covid-19 cases had been identified in SA, pushing the total number of laboratory-confirmed cases to 3,576,379. This increase represents a 10% positivity rate.

January 21 2022 - 10:59

When can SA expect to enter Covid-19 fifth wave? Phaahla says in May or sooner

SA is likely to enter the fifth wave of Covid-19 infections in May or sooner. 

This is according to health minister Joe Phaahla, who warned that a new variant could see the country entering a fifth wave sooner than expected.

Speaking on SABC News, Phaahla said the fifth wave could be worsened by cold weather and the flu season.   

“If there is no variant of serious concern very soon, we definitely would expect a wave somewhere around May, when winter starts. That’s when people start to congregate indoors because of the cold. That’s also when flu season starts,” he said. 

January 21 2022 - 10:21

A divided nation: Western Australia stays shut as Covid-19 deaths mount in east

Australia will remain a divided nation, with the vast mining state of Western Australia cancelling plans to reopen its borders on February 5, citing health risks from a surge in the Omicron Covid-19 variant in eastern states.

January 21 2022 - 09:16

We have made it, notwithstanding Covid-19: Western Cape education MEC on matric results

The Western Cape matric pass rate has increased by 1.3 percentage points from 2020.

This emerged when basic education minister Angie Motshekga announced the matric results of the class of 2021 on Thursday. The provincial pass rate is 81.2%.

Western Cape education MEC Debbie Schäfer said the Covid-19 pandemic had not dampened the pupils’ spirits.

“I am absolutely delighted with the results of the matric class of 2021 in the Western Cape,” said Schäfer.

January 21 2022  - 07:49

Government gets R11.4bn World Bank loan to bolster Covid-19 recovery efforts

The World Bank has approved a Covid-19 linked $750m (R11.4bn) development policy loan to SA to protect the poor and support economic recovery from the pandemic, a statement from the National Treasury said on Friday. 

The country has been hit hard by four waves of infection that killed close to 94,000 people and infected 3.5-million in Africa's worst caseload. Successive lockdowns meant to protect people have led to the closure of thousands of businesses, swelling an army of unemployed as SA's jobless rate hit records in 2021.

January 21 2022 - 07:00

How can I reduce my anxiety around the Covid-19 pandemic?

The World Health Organisation (WHO) says living during a pandemic can be stressful and cause anxiety for some people, who might find it difficult to cope and adjust to the new normal. 

It says while feelings of powerlessness are common, living with them can be made easier by adopting positive lifestyle changes and coping mechanisms.

The organisation says exercise is one of the vital changes to incorporate into one's daily routine.

“Your body and mind are connected. Being physically active is good for your body and can help your mind feel better too. If you can go outside, try a walk, run, bike ride, or any other sport. If indoors, try dancing, stretching or any other movement you can do,” says the WHO.

January 21 2022 - 06:30

Win big ... but you only stand a chance in this lottery if you’re vaxxed

January 21 2022 - 06:00

Omicron vaccine is all well and good, but the real money is on an all-in-one jab

Pfizer and Moderna are starting to churn out doses of Omicron-specific vaccines, and they say they could have data on whether the shots are effective as soon as March. But is this the best way to build and maintain protection against Covid-19?

The world is breeding new variants so fast, it may not make sense to chase them one at a time. Global regulators don’t necessarily think it’s the right approach. The World Health Organisation and the US Food and Drug Administration say Omicron-specific vaccines might not be needed, and that public-health agencies around the world — not drug companies — should work together to decide the composition of the next vaccines.