COVID-19 - The African Mirror

Dec

11

2020

Nigeria may be on verge of second wave of COVID-19 infections warns health minister

COVID-19

FELIX ONUAH NIGERIA may be on the verge of a second wave of COVID-19 infections amid rising number of confirmed cases in Africa's most populous country over the last few weeks, the health minister has announced. Osagie Ehanire, speaking at a televised news conference in the capital Abuja, said 1,843 cases were recorded last week compared with 1,235 two weeks before that, and 1,126 the week before that. "We may just be on the verge of a second wave of this pandemic," he said. His comments came a day after South Africa said it had officially entered a second wave.…

Dec

11

2020

By The African Mirror

Africa disease control head calls on rich nations to share excess COVID-19 shots

COVID-19

OMAR MOHAMMED COUNTRIES that have ordered more COVID-19 vaccines than they need should consider distributing excess doses to Africa, the head of the continent's disease control body has said. As African countries begin to feel the effects of a second wave of the coronavirus pandemic, John Nkengasong, director of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), said it was unlikely to secure enough vaccine shots. Many African states are relying on COVAX, a global COVID-19 vaccine allocation plan co-led by the World Health Organization (WHO), which is working to lower prices and discourage hoarding. "Some countries have got…

Dec

11

2020

By The African Mirror

South African pharma regulator to fast track vaccine applications

COVID-19

SOUTH Africa intends to fast track regulatory approval for COVID-19 vaccines and expects the first applications within a fortnight, pharmaceutical regulator SAHPRA told Reuters, as the country faces a second wave of infections. South Africa is the continent's hardest-hit country with more than 828,000 confirmed coronavirus cases and over 22,000 deaths. Health Minister Zweli Mkhize said on Wednesday that four of the country's nine provinces were driving a resurgence in cases. The government hopes to receive its first vaccines from the COVAX global vaccine distribution scheme in the second quarter of next year. "SAHPRA will prioritise all COVID-19 applications and…

Sep

26

2021

By The African Mirror

Children are losing caregivers to COVID-19: they need support

COVID-19

CHILDREN have a very low risk of death or severe disease from COVID-19. As a result, they have not been a core focus in the pandemic response priorities of prevention, detection, and response. But this approach doesn’t take into account the secondary impacts of the pandemic. These include children being orphaned or bereft of their caregivers. LORRAINE SHERR, Professor of Clinical and Health Psychology, UCL LUCIE CLUVER, Honorary Professor in Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town Children are among the most vulnerable members of any society and are thus disproportionately affected by the devastation of this pandemic. If…

Dec

10

2020

By The African Mirror

Poor countries seen missing out as rich nations hoard COVID-19 vaccines

COVID-19

THIN LEI WIN NINE out of 10 people in dozens of poor nations could miss out on getting vaccinated against COVID-19 next year because rich countries have hoarded far more doses than they need, campaigners have said. Rich nations home to 14% of the global population had bought 53% of the total stock of the most-promising vaccines as of last month, said the People's Vaccine Alliance, a coalition including Oxfam, Amnesty International and Global Justice Now. They said pharmaceutical companies working on COVID-19 vaccines should openly share their technology and intellectual property through the World Health Organisation (WHO) so more…

Dec

10

2020

By The African Mirror

UK warns people with serious allergies to avoid Pfizer vaccine after two adverse reactions

COVID-19

ALISTAIR SMOUT BRITAIN’S medicine regulator has advised that people with a history of significant allergies do not get Pfizer-BioNTech's COVID-19 vaccine after two people reported adverse reactions on the first day of rollout. Starting with the elderly and frontline workers, Britain began mass vaccinating its population on Tuesday, part of a global drive that poses one of the biggest logistical challenges in peacetime history. National Health Service medical director Stephen Powis said the advice had been changed after two NHS workers reported anaphylactoid reactions associated with receiving the vaccine. They were among the thousands who received the shot on Tuesday.…

Dec

10

2020

By The African Mirror

Amnesty: rich countries have bought too many COVID-19 vaccines

COVID-19

RICH countries have secured enough coronavirus vaccines to protect their populations nearly three times over by the end of 2021, Amnesty International and other groups said on Wednesday, possibly depriving billions of people in poorer areas. Britain approved Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine this month, raising hopes that the tide could soon turn against a virus that has killed nearly 1.5 million globally, hammered the world economy and upended normal life. Amnesty and other organisations including Frontline AIDS, Global Justice Now and Oxfam, urged governments and the pharmaceutical industry to take action to ensure intellectual property of vaccines is shared widely. The…

Dec

10

2020

By The African Mirror

South African trial of AstraZeneca vaccine still months from efficacy results

COVID-19

ALEXANDER WINNING EFFICACY results may not be ready for months from a trial of AstraZeneca and Oxford University's coronavirus vaccine in South Africa, the principal investigator of the South African study told Reuters. AstraZeneca published findings this week from trials in Brazil and Britain showing its vaccine was on average about 70% effective in preventing coronavirus infection. It is seeking regulatory approval in several countries for its shot. However, the company has faced calls to provide more data, after it found that the efficacy was higher in a small sub-group of participants given a smaller initial dose. A larger U.S.…

Dec

10

2020

By The African Mirror

South Africa enters second wave of COVID-19, says health minister

COVID-19

SOUTH Africa has officially entered a second wave of the new coronavirus as the number of infections per day exceeds 6,000, the health minister said on Wednesday, raising concerns that restrictions to limit the spread could be tightened. Health Minister Zwelini Mkhize said in a televised address that infections stood at over 828,000 cases with deaths at more than 22,500, the most on the continent. Daily cases peaked at around 15,000 in July. "The increases are shown in about six of the provinces and that is why it is important for us to now recognise this is a second wave,"…

Sep

24

2021

By The African Mirror

Britain’s non-recognition of Africa-administered vaccines regrettable – AU

COVID-19

AYENAT MERSIE and GEORGE OBULUTSA THE African Union's (AU) top health official called Britain's lack of recognition for coronavirus vaccines administered in Africa regrettable, saying it sends a confusing public health message. England announced last week that it would expand the list of countries from which it recognises vaccines, adding 17 others beyond the initial list of the United States and Europe. None of those countries are in Africa. The British government sets coronavirus policy for England, while Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are in charge of their own rules. "We regret that the UK would take this position. We…