covid third wave - The African Mirror

Jun

2021

Delta variant starting to dominate in S.Africa, scientists say

THE Delta coronavirus variant, first identified in India, appears to be dominating new infections in South Africa, local scientists told a news conference yesterday. South Africa is the worst-hit country on the African continent in terms of confirmed COVID-19 infections and deaths. It is in the middle of a "third wave" of infections, recording more than 18,000 new cases on Friday. Acting health minister Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane (pictured left) told the same news conference that it was now likely that the peak of the third wave would surpass the peak of the second wave in January.

Jun

2021

By The African Mirror

‘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…

May

2021

By The African Mirror

Sudanese search for oxygen cylinders

COVID-19

KHALID ABDELAZIZ SUDAN is struggling to provide hospital beds, drugs and medical oxygen to COVID-19 patients hit by a third wave of infections that is straining the country's patchy healthcare system beyond what it can cope with. With a population of over 40 million, Sudan has recorded 33,000 cases and over 2,600 deaths since the start of the pandemic, but officials say the real numbers are likely to be much higher given low rates of testing. In recent weeks, an acute shortage of oxygen, partly due to power cuts that impeded production at the country's main plant, has left hospitals…

Mar

2021

By The African Mirror

Vaccine failings cast shadow over EU summit as third wave surges

WORLD

SABINE SIEBOLD and PHILIP BLENKINSOP EUROPEAN Union leaders have met to navigate a common path out of the COVID-19 pandemic as infections surge in many of their countries, seeking agreement on how to ramp up supplies of vaccines after a slow start to immunisations. With distribution of shots uneven across the bloc and member states divided over whether to take a tougher line on vaccine exports, French President Emmanuel Macron spelt out the frustration over inoculation programmes that are running far behind those of Britain and the United States. "We didn't shoot for the stars. That should be a lesson…