COVID-19 WRAP | Government recalls new isolation and quarantine rules for fresh input

December 29 2021 - 14:30

Flight ban cancels Mauritius holidays for SA tourists

SA Airways said on Wednesday Mauritius has extended the travel ban on all commercial flights to and from SA from Saturday January 1 to January 31.

A statement by the Mauritian government read: “Any person having been physically present in the Republic of SA, Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia within the past 14 days preceding the date of arrival in Mauritius will not be allowed entry or transit in the Republic of Mauritius with immediate effect.”

December 29 2021 - 13:48

‘I just want to go home’: China’s Xian in Covid-19 lockdown for seventh day

A lockdown of 13-million people in the Chinese city of Xian entered its seventh day on Wednesday, with many unable to leave their residential compounds and relying on deliveries of necessities as new Covid-19 infections persisted.

Xian reported 151 domestically transmitted infections with confirmed symptoms for Tuesday, or nearly all of the 152 cases nationwide, bringing the total number of local Xian cases to nearly 1,000 from December 9 to 28. No cases of the Omicron variant have been announced in the city so far.

December 29 2021 - 08:47

New Zealand records first community exposures from border-related Omicron case

New Zealand said on Wednesday that a person who tested positive for the Omicron variant of Covid-19 had briefly been active in the community in Auckland.

The person arrived in New Zealand from the United Kingdom on December 16 but only tested positive on December 17, the health ministry said in a statement.

December 29 2021 - 07:26

Government recalls new isolation and quarantine rules for fresh input

SA has recalled rules that no longer required people without Covid-19 symptoms to isolate or test if they have been in contact with a positive case, government announced on Tuesday, saying an amended circular will be reissued.

Last week the health ministry said asymptomatic individuals who had been in contact with a Covid-19 case no longer had to isolate but should monitor symptoms for five to seven days and avoid attending large gatherings.

December 29 2021 - 07:00

Can using a fan increase the chance of Covid-19 spreading?

As summer continues to grip Mzansi, health experts have highlighted the risk of Covid-19 spreading when using a fan in enclosed spaces.

The World Health Organisation advises opening a window when you put on a fan.

December 29 2021 - 06:38

Some Covid-positive essential workers to continue working in Canada's Quebec -minister

Quebec, the second most populous Canadian province, has "no choice" but to allow some essential workers to continue working even after testing positive for Covid-19 to prevent staff shortages from impeding its healthcare services, Health Minister Christian Dube said Tuesday.

Quebec, which has been setting daily records since the Omicron variant started a new wave of rapidly rising infections, recorded 12,833 new cases on Monday — the highest one-day count of any region in Canada during the pandemic.

"Omicron's contagion is so exponential, that a huge number of personnel have to be withdrawn — and that poses a risk to the network capacity to treat Quebecers," Dube told reporters at a briefing.

"We made the decision that under a certain condition positive staff will be able to continue working according to a list of priority and risk management," he said, adding that more information would be provided in the coming days.

Dube said Quebec would also offer a third dose of a Covid-19 vaccine to everyone above the age of 18 from January 4.

Last week, Quebec ordered bars, gyms and casinos to shut and directed people to work only from home. It also limited the size of gatherings at private homes and restaurants to six people. - Reuters