The latest on Covid-19: Lockdown restrictions eased, vaccination certificates for sale, and vaccine passport on the cards
This week’s Covid-19 news headlines included the President relaxing curfew and gathering regulations, vaccine inequality for Africa and a relief-fund breakdown.
On September 17 South Africa reported 3 648 new Covid-19 infections, bringing the cumulative number of cases to 2 877 063. A total of 43 959 tests were conducted in the previous 24 hours. According to the National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD), this represents an 8.3% positivity rate. A further 173 Covid-related deaths have been reported, bringing total fatalities to 85 952. Recoveries stood at 2 714 565 with a 94.1% recovery rate.
Less restrictive lockdown and more vaccine research
South Africa is seeing a slow return to normal as lockdown regulations are eased, while vaccine research is ongoing.
Read more on Randburg Sun.
Vaccine passports essential to open social gatherings, says Phaahla
Health Minister Dr Joe Phaahla says the aim of vaccine passports or certificates is not to punish people, but rather to offer protection.
Read more on The Citizen.
Pharmacy employees arrested for vaccine card fraud
Four temporary employees of a Dis-Chem branch in Krugersdorp were arrested for allegedly selling Covid-19 vaccine certificates.
Read more on Krugersdorp News.
No link between Covid-19 jabs and those who died – report
No South African has died from the Covid-19 jab, says National Immunisation Safety Expert Committee chairperson Professor Hannelie Meyer, as the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority continues to investigate the safety of vaccines.
Read more on Highway Mail.
National State of Disaster necessary to fight Covid-19
President Cyril Ramaphosa says the National State of Disaster will be lifted only once regulatory measures for the prevention and spread of Covid-19 are in place or once there is no longer a need for the state of disaster.
Read more on The Citizen.
‘Worst pandemic in 100 years’ and still no vaccine equity for Africa
Only 2% of the more than 5.7 billion doses given globally have been administered in Africa.
Read more on The Citizen.
Boo(ze) for no off-site sales over weekends
South African Liquor Brandowners Association chairperson Sibani Mngadi says government has failed to justify its decision not to allow the weekend sale of alcohol from retail outlets for off-site consumption.
Read more on Polokwane Review.
R350 grant: Here’s how the billions set aside for social relief will be spent
Apart from funding the monthly grants, millions will be spend on improving the South African Social Security Agency’s systems.
Read more on The Citizen.
Ramaphosa moves country to adjusted level 2, as Covid cases show decline
In his address to the nation on September 12, the President relaxed the curfew and discussed the possibility of a vaccine passport.
Read more on Pretoria Rekord.
Unemployment fund urges employers to correct errors
The fund aims to rapidly decrease the number of outstanding claims and ultimately close them by the end of December 2021.
Read more on Highway Mail.
Sahpra approves Pfizer vaccine for children
While Sinovac last week announced a vaccine trial for children under 18, the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority has approved the Pfizer vaccine for children over 12.
Read more on The Citizen.
Read original story on rekord.co.za
