Covid-19 round-up: SA passes third wave peak, Sahpra launches investigation

SA passes peak of Covid-19 third wave – Kubayi-Ngubane

Acting Minister of Health Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane confirmed that the country has now passed the peak of Covid-19 infections from the third wave. Kubayi-Ngubane briefed the media on Friday (July 23). Read the original story on The Citizen.

Sahpra probes post-Covid-19 vaccine deaths

The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (Sahpra) is probing the medical records of 28 people who died after receiving the Covid-19 vaccine. The regulatory authority is investigating the adverse findings reported from administering the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines and Johnson & Johnson vaccines. Read the original story on The Citizen. 

Pfizer-BioNTech strikes vaccine manufacturing deal with SA’s Biovac

On Wednesday (July 21), Pfizer and BioNTech announced they had struck a deal with the Biovac Institute to manufacture over 100 million doses a year of their Covid-19 vaccine for distribution within the African Union. Read the original story on The Citizen.

Sector vaccination roll-out plan announced

Social Development Minister Lindiwe Zulu announced the launch of the social development sector national vaccine roll-out plan. According to Zulu, just over 240 000 members will be targeted.

For more details, click here.

Inmates, prison staff receive Covid-19 vaccine

As the social development sector’s vaccination programme gets underway, Correctional Services Minister Ronald Lamola said on Tuesday (July 20) the government was obliged to provide vaccinations for both officials and inmates to prevent outbreaks. Read more here.

Covid-19 and education: ‘Learners unlikely to make up for lost time’

Online school Brainline says it is unlikely learners will be able to make up for lost time due to the third Covid-19 wave. The ‘shift system’ helped reduce Covid-19 infections, but had a notable impact on teaching and learning time. There are concerns that learners may be almost a year behind on the curriculum. Read the full story on Randfontein Herald.

MAC declines to confirm support for latest alcohol ban

In the latest developments on regulations published in the Government Gazette for the adjusted level 4 lockdown, the Ministerial Advisory Council (MAC) on Covid-19 has declined to confirm whether the current fourth ban of the sale of alcohol for both on-site and off-site consumption was based on a scientific recommendation from the MAC. For the full story, click here.