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May
31
2021
By The African Mirror
Egypt lifts coronavirus restrictions

Egypt lifts coronavirus restrictions

COVID-19
EGYPYT will lift restrictions it imposed earlier this month to curb the spread of the coronavirus, including early closure of shops and restaurants, from June 1, the cabinet said. Since May 6, stores, malls and restaurants had to close by 9 p.m after a rise in infections.
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May
30
2021
By The African Mirror
COVID Science: Latest

COVID Science: Latest

COVID-19
NANCY LAPID THE following is a roundup of some of the latest scientific studies on the novel coronavirus and efforts to find treatments and vaccines for COVID-19, the illness caused by the virus. India variant shows resistance to antibody drugs, vaccines Antibody drugs and COVID-19 vaccines are less effective against a coronavirus variant that was first detected in India, according to researchers. The variant, known as B.1.617.2, has mutations that make it more transmissible. It is now predominant in some parts of India and has spread to many other countries. A multicenter team of scientists in France studied a B.1.617.2…
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Jun
05
2021
By The African Mirror
Don’t panic, says Zim govt

Don’t panic, says Zim govt

COVID-19
ZIMBABWE’S government has urged citizens not to panic because it had enough COVID-19 vaccines for those needing a second shot after some centres ran out of doses this week and turned people away. The southern African nation, which aims to vaccinate 10 million people by the end of the year, has to date received just over 1.735 million doses from Sinopharm, Sinovac and Covaxin. Some 684,164 people have received a first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine while another 364,240 got their second shot. Agnes Mahomva, the national coordinator on government's response to COVID-19, told state broadcaster ZBC that just over…
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Jun
05
2021
By The African Mirror
Embassies in Tanzania can import vaccines

Embassies in Tanzania can import vaccines

COVID-19
TANZANIA has announced that embassies and international agencies can import COVID-19 vaccines to inoculate their citizens and staff against the coronavirus. The move is part of a more proactive approach to tackling the disease following the death in March of President John Magufuli, who underplayed the pandemic and expressed scepticism of vaccines. The announcement came after experts presented President Samia Suluhu Hassan with a plan, including the issuing of vaccines in the country. "President Samia (Suluhu Hassan) said embassies and international organisations have been permitted to import COVID-19 vaccines to inoculate their own nationals and staff to meet their countries…
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Jun
04
2021
By The African Mirror
‘Congo faces third wave of coronavirus’

‘Congo faces third wave of coronavirus’

COVID-19
DEMOCRATIC Republic of Congo is facing a third wave of coronavirus infections, with its epicentre in the capital, Kinshasa, one of Africa's most populous cities, Health Minister Jean-Jacques Mbungani said on Thursday. Like many other African countries, Congo has officially reported relatively few cases and deaths, but health authorities are concerned about a recent spike in infections that saw 243 new cases recorded on Wednesday, the highest daily figure since March. "I officially announce the onset of the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in our country, with Kinshasa as its epicentre," Mbungani told reporters. A low vaccination rate and…
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Jun
05
2021
By The African Mirror
Forty years on, AIDS is not over

Forty years on, AIDS is not over

HEALTH
ASH KOTAK FOURTY years ago, on June 5, 1981, the first cases of what became known as AIDS were reported in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), the U.S. national public health agency, reported, “Five cases of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) among previously healthy young men in Los Angeles,” in their Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR). All were “homosexuals”. Two had died. The cases suggested, “a disease acquired through sexual contact”. Now at the midpoint of the almost forgotten HIV/AIDS pandemic, 77.5 million people have caught HIV, according to UNAIDS. Of those, 34.7 million…
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Jun
06
2021
By The African Mirror
The eruption of Mount Nyiragongo: its health effects will be felt for a long time

The eruption of Mount Nyiragongo: its health effects will be felt for a long time

HEALTH
The eruption of Mount Nyiragongo, an active volcano in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), led to the deaths of at least 30 people. There could however be longer term health implications for residents of the area. Patrick DMC Katoto, who has studied the health effects of volcanoes in the DRC, provides insights into the health risks that a volcanic eruption brings. PATRICK DE MARIE C. KATOTO, Lecturer, Université catholique de Bukavu What are the main health concerns for communities? Volcanic eruptions can cause catastrophic destruction. They are responsible for human casualties, infrastructural devastation and can pollute the environment…
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May
30
2021
By The African Mirror
Fund for vaccine production in Africa

Fund for vaccine production in Africa

COVID-19
GLOBAL development groups including International Finance Corp (IFC) said they will explore helping African producers such as Aspen Pharmacare Holdings Ltd boost vaccine manufacturing in Africa, which received relatively few COVID-19 immunizations produced by rich nations. The news comes after the European Union last week promised 1 billion euros ($1.22 billion) to build vaccination manufacturing hubs in Africa. France's President Emmanuel Macron also promised on Friday to help the continent produce more vaccines locally. IFC's partners, including U.S. International Development Finance Corp (DFC), Proparco and German Development Finance Institution, said they will provide financing to manufacturers to strengthen vaccine production…
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May
30
2021
By The African Mirror
COVID-19 kills 32 DRC MPs

COVID-19 kills 32 DRC MPs

COVID-19
THIRTY-two members of parliament in the Democratic Republic of Congo, or about 5% of the total, have died from COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic, the vice president of the National Assembly said. Even as Congo, like many other African countries, has officially reported relatively few cases and deaths, the virus has rippled through the corridors of power, killing prominent lawmakers and members of the president's entourage. "The latest update announced by the government reports 31,248 confirmed cases and 780 deaths, among them 32 members of parliament," said Jean-Marc Kabund, the first vice president of the lower house of…
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May
31
2021
By The African Mirror
Tobacco control: South Africa must do more to help people quit smoking

Tobacco control: South Africa must do more to help people quit smoking

HEALTH
EACH year on 31 May, the World Health Organisation (WHO) hosts World No Tobacco Day. The day aims to spread awareness about the risks of tobacco use and to encourage governments to implement effective tobacco-control policies. This year’s theme challenges current smokers to “Commit to Quit”. SAM FILBY, Research Officer, Research on the Economics of Excisable Products,, University of Cape Town CORNÉ VAN WALBEEK, Professor at the School of Economics and Principal Investigator of the Economics of Tobacco Control Project, University of Cape Town The health benefits of quitting smoking are well-documented. Smokers who quit smoking can avoid premature death,…
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