COVID-19 - The African Mirror

Nov

12

2020

How COVID-proofing the slums upended Kenya’s business culture

COVID-19

TOM FINN HALF a million reusable masks, 123 tonnes of soap and 1,750 hand-washing stations. These numbers are music to the ears of business consultant James Irungu Mwangi - telling the story of the efforts he led to protect Kenyan slum-dwellers from COVID-19. They also show how socially minded businesses can thrive in times of crisis, said Mwangi, who for years has urged African firms to look beyond profit and tackle issues like poverty and climate change by working with governments and non-profits. The coronavirus pandemic has driven many firms to do just that, he said, describing the health crisis…

Nov

12

2020

By The African Mirror

South Africa should aim to cover 10% of population via COVAX, advisors say

COVID-19

ALEXANDER WINNING SOUTH Africa should aim to cover 10% of its population via a global coronavirus vaccine scheme while also negotiating directly with manufacturers, a group of experts has advised the government. South Africa has recorded the most novel coronavirus infections of any African nation. While it has publicly expressed support for the COVAX scheme co-led by the World Health Organization, it has yet to make the formal commitment confirming its participation. The race to secure enough vaccines to protect at-risk groups is heating up following Monday's announcement by Pfizer that its vaccine candidate is more than 90% effective based…

Nov

11

2020

By The African Mirror

Botswana signs agreement with global vaccine scheme for 20% of population

COVID-19

BOTSWANA has signed an agreement with the global vaccine distribution scheme co-led by the World Health Organization, giving it the option to buy coronavirus vaccines for 20% of its population, a senior health official told Reuters. The southern African country has registered a relatively low number of coronavirus cases, around 7,800 with 27 deaths, but its economy has been dealt a severe blow by the pandemic. Unlike many other African countries, Botswana does not qualify for subsidised vaccines under the COVAX scheme because it is classified as an upper middle income country like neighbours Namibia and South Africa. Botswana made…

Nov

11

2020

By The African Mirror

Tunisia prime minister says coronavirus deaths may reach 7,000

COVID-19

Hichem Mechichi TUNISIAN Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi says the death toll from the coronavirus pandemic in the country may reach 6,000-7,000, describing the health situation as "very dangerous". Coronavirus cases have been rising quickly in Tunisia, which had managed to contain the virus earlier this year, and have now reached 70,000 cases and 1,900 deaths in a country of 11.5 million. Medical sources told Reuters intensive care units in most state hospitals had reached maximum capacity. The government imposed a night curfew this month and banned travel between cities to slow a second wave of the pandemic. - Thomson Reuters…

Nov

10

2020

By The African Mirror

Can vaccines reach the world’s poorest?

COVID-19

THIN LEI WIN PFIZER Inc has said its experimental COVID-19 vaccine was more than 90% effective, a major victory in the fight against a pandemic that has killed more than a million people and infected 50 million. Drugmakers around the globe have been racing to develop vaccines against COVID-19, but organisations such as the vaccine alliance GAVI have expressed fears that poor nations would lose out in the global race. Wealthier countries have forged multibillion-dollar supply deals with drugmakers and purchased 3.8 billion doses of potential coronavirus vaccines, leaving few doses available for poor nations, according to a recent analysis…

Nov

09

2020

By The African Mirror

COVID-19 breakthrough: New vaccine is more than 90% effective

COVID-19

PFIZER Inc has revealed its experimental vaccine was more than 90% effective in preventing COVID-19 based on initial data from a large study, a major victory in the fight against the pandemic. Pfizer and German partner BioNTech SE are the first drugmakers to show successful data from a large-scale clinical trial of a coronavirus vaccine. Following are reactions to the news. LUCIO ROVATI, CEO OF ITALY'S ROTTAPHARM BIOTECH, WHICH IS WORKING WITH TAKIS BIOTECH ON A COVID-19 VACCINE "This is important news. Nothing that was not expected. Anyway, great, great. The problem remains that the data is limited in duration,…

Nov

09

2020

By The African Mirror

Algeria says President Tebboune’s treatment nearing completion

COVID-19

ALGERIAN President Abdelmadjid Tebboune is about to complete medical treatment and his condition is improving, his office said, 13 days after he was flown to a hospital in Germany. Authorities last week said Tebboune, 75, had tested positive for COVID-19. He had stayed at a military hospital in Algiers before being transferred to Germany. Elected last December, Tebboune has pushed for changes to the constitution as part of attempts to turn the page on mass protests that forced his predecessor to resign in April 2019. The constitution was backed in a referendum last weekend with 66.8% of votes but with…

Nov

09

2020

By The African Mirror

Easing COVID-19 impact on key health services

COVID-19

THE COVID-19 pandemic has strained health systems and disrupted essential health services in Africa. Countries are working to restore and strengthen key services to better withstand shocks and ensure quality care. Regina Kamoga, the Executive Director of Uganda’s Community Health and Information Network and Chairperson of the Uganda Alliance of Patients Organizations, speaks about the impact of COVID-19 and solutions to restore essential health services. Regina Kamoga What is the impact of COVID-19 on patients seeking services for other diseases? Many governments in Africa took measures to combat the spread of COVID-19. However, some of the measures totally disrupted the…

Oct

20

2020

By The African Mirror

Sister Sledge singer to donate ‘We Are Family’ cover proceeds to WHO

COVID-19

KIM Sledge of the band Sister Sledge will donate proceeds from a cover of the band's classic song "We Are Family" to the World Health Organization Foundation, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has announced. "I would like to thank Kim Sledge for her kind offer to donate proceeds from the sale of her special edition cover of We Are Family," said Tedros, adding that the money would be used to support the COVID-19 response and strengthen health services around the world. Kim Sledge joined Tedros at a news briefing. - Thomson Reuters Foundation.

Oct

20

2020

By The African Mirror

South Africa trims high-risk country list, but adds Germany

COVID-19

SOUTH Africa has reduced the number of countries on its high-risk COVID-19 list by more than half to 22 from 60, the government has announced, although Germany was among the notable additions to the register. The only people from high risk countries allowed entry are business travellers, holders of critical skills visas, investors and people on international missions in sports, arts, culture and science, or people visiting for a minimum of three months. South Africa opened its borders to international travellers at the beginning of October after a six-month ban that hit tourism and the broader economy hard. The initial…