COVID-19 - The African Mirror

Jul

03

2021

‘We urge caution,’ WHO says on Tokyo Olympics

COVID-19

STEPHANIE NEBEHAY THE World Health Organization, which is advising the International Olympic Committee in the run-up to the Tokyo Games opening later this month, is urging caution so as to stem the spread of the coronavirus, a senior WHO official has said. Crowds at Euro 2020 soccer stadiums and in pubs and bars in host cities are driving the current rise in COVID-19 infections in Europe, the WHO's regional office said on Thursday. Maria van Kerkhove, WHO technical lead on COVID-19 at its global headquarters, was asked what lessons it was drawing from the Euro 2020 tournament in order to…

Apr

11

2021

By The African Mirror

Are vaccine passports a risk to society?

COVID-19

IMOGEN PARKER IN a matter of weeks COVID-status certificates, or ‘vaccine passports’, which allow people to more easily show their COVID-19 status, have moved from a fringe issue to the centre of polarised political debates. In the UK, the announcement this week of COVID-status certificate pilots has triggered outcry, from the public, parliamentarians and publicans. In the U.S., the White House has ruled out a federal system that ‘requires Americans to carry a credential’ on the grounds they infringe on privacy and human rights. Meanwhile, Walmart and New York State, forge ahead with their own rollouts. Why are countries giving serious consideration to these…

Apr

11

2021

By The African Mirror

Tunisia reduces overnight curfew

COVID-19

TUNISIA reduced its night curfew yesterday, a day after President Kais Saied requested a review of the measure to avoid the loss of thousands of jobs in the month of Ramadan. ''The curfew will start 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.,'' Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi told reporters, reducing it from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. Mechichi's government has announced tougher curfew restrictions on Wednesday to combat a surge in new coronavirus cases.

Jul

02

2021

By The African Mirror

Tributes for SA music legend Steve Kekana

COVID-19

AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER SOUTH African have paid wonderful tributes to Steve Kekana, the musical legend who has passed away from COVID-19 complications. Kekana (63) recorded over 40 music albums in his career, was a winner of many music awards and a lecturer at the University of South Africa. The South African government offered its condolences to Kekana. https://twitter.com/GovernmentZA/status/1410653308398809092?s=20 Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula said SA has lost an icon. “ South Africa today lost one of its icons, a legend and a brilliant artist, Ntate Steve Kekana. May he Rest In Peace,” he said. Action SA president Herman Mashaba said: “We…

Jul

02

2021

By The African Mirror

‘Euro 2020 crowds drive rise in infections’

COVID-19

NIKOLAJ SKYDSGAARD and JACOB GRONHOLT-PEDERSEN CROWDS at Euro 2020 football stadiums and in pubs and bars in host cities are driving the current rise in coronavirus infections in Europe, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has said. A 10-week decline in new coronavirus infections across the region has come to an end and a new wave of infections is inevitable if football fans and others drop their guard, according to WHO. Last week, the number of new cases rose by 10%, driven by mixing of crowds in Euro 2020 host cities, travel and easing of social restrictions, WHO said. "We need…

Apr

20

2021

By The African Mirror

South Africa’s vaccine compensation fund could cost $17.5 million in first year

COVID-19

THE South African government's compensation fund to cover potential injuries from COVID-19 vaccines could cost around 250 million rands ($17.5 million) in the first year, the health minister said in response to questions in parliament. The African country hardest hit by the coronavirus pandemic in terms of infections and deaths told vaccine manufacturers Johnson & Johnson and Pfizer it would set up the fund during negotiations to buy shots. "A contingent liability of approximately R250 million for the first year would be provided for compensation of vaccine injury in a COVID-19 Vaccine NFC (no-fault compensation) Fund," Health Minister Zweli Mkhize…

Apr

20

2021

By The African Mirror

WHO against travel restrictions

COVID-19

THE World Health Organization's Emergency Committee has recommended that proof of vaccination not be required as a condition of international travel, maintaining its stance on the issue under growing debate. The independent experts, in a statement issued yesterday, cited limited evidence on whether vaccination against COVID-19 reduces people's ability to transmit the virus and "the persistent inequity in global vaccine distribution". States should recognise that requiring proof of vaccination deepens inequities and promotes unequal freedom of movement, the panel said.

Apr

20

2021

By The African Mirror

FACTBOX: How countries use vaccines

COVID-19

SOME countries are restricting the use of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine to certain age groups, or suspending use, after European and British regulators confirmed possible links to rare blood clots. Johnson & Johnson's single-shot vaccine has also been hit by concerns over blood clots. European regulators are reviewing such cases and are expected to issue findings on April 20. U.S. federal health agencies recommended pausing its use temporarily on April 13 and a U.S. health advisory panel will meet on April 23 to discuss whether the pause should continue. J&J has stated that no clear causal relationship has been established…

Jul

01

2021

By The African Mirror

World Bank pledges $20 billion for vaccines

COVID-19

ANDREA SHALAL and DAVID LAWDER THE World Bank has pledged to boost available funding for COVID-19 vaccine purchases and deployment to $20 billion from a previous target of $12 billion, citing a sharp increase in overall financing demand from developing countries. World Bank President David Malpass said the global development bank had already provided more than $4 billion to 51 developing countries for the purchase and deployment of COVID-19 vaccines, and would add billions for 25 more countries soon. "Much more will follow in coming weeks," Malpass told reporters, noting that a total of 41 requests had been received from…

Apr

19

2021

By The African Mirror

Lifting of J&J vaccine pause recommended

COVID-19

SOUTH Africa's health regulator has recommended that the government lift the pause on administering drugmaker Johnson & Johnson's COVID-19 vaccines, given that certain conditions are met. "These conditions include, but are not limited to, strengthened screening and monitoring of participants who are at high risk of a blood clotting disorder," the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) said. "In addition, measures are to be implemented to ensure the safe management of any participants who develop vaccine-induced thrombosis and thrombocytopenia (VITT)," the statement added. SAHPRA said on Wednesday that it had recently reviewed data from Johnson & Johnson's local research…