Coronavirus watch

26 October 2021 - 11:05
By SowetanLIVE

SOWETAN | Vital that you have your say on Covid ...

The government wants the public's input into how to handle Covid-19 epidemic and other diseases after the national ...

By Sowetan

Ramaphosa to address the nation soon on the national state of disaster

President Cyril Ramaphosa will address the nation soon to outline how the country will manage the Covid-19 pandemic ...

Amanda Khoza
Presidency reporter

YOUR COVID-19 QUESTIONS ANSWERED | What are the new mask rules proposed ...

The department of health has proposed face masks continue to be a requirement in certain areas once the new draft ...

YOUR COVID-19 QUESTIONS ANSWERED | Do I have to disclose to my boss if I ...

The labour department published new legislation this week, strengthening employers powers to require their workers to ...

Kyle Zeeman
Digital Editor

JOHN STEENHUISEN | The state of disaster is hurting the poor and causing ...

The state of disaster is harming jobs and increasing poverty while providing no benefit at all. It must end immediately.

By John Steenhuisen

Children aged 10 to 14 have highest rate of ...

The highest Covid-19 positivity rate is now among children between 10 and 14, health minister Joe Phaahla said on ...

Tanya Farber
Senior science reporter

YOUR COVID-19 QUESTIONS ANSWERED | Is SA moving towards a Covid-19 ...

“The findings indicate that SA is moving into the convalescent phase of the Covid-19 pandemic — the recovery phase. ...

SA risks destroying 100,000 vaccine doses by end of March

About 100,000 doses of Pfizer's Covid-19 vaccine are at risk of being destroyed by the end of this month due to slow ...

By Reuters

SA records 1,853 Covid-19 cases and 43 deaths in 24 hours: NICD

There were 1,853 new Covid-19 cases recorded across SA in the past 24 hours, the NICD said on Thursday.

By TimesLIVE

YOUR COVID-19 QUESTIONS ANSWERED | How will the Russia and Ukraine ...

While SA authorities have long said there is sufficient vaccines in stock to give those in need of the jab, experts say ...

Kyle Zeeman
Digital Editor

SA records zero Covid-19 deaths in the past 24-48 ...

No Covid-19 deaths were recorded in SA in the past 24 to 48 hours, the National Institute for Communicable Diseases ...

By Staff Reporter

John Steenhuisen calls for government to scrap all Covid-19 restrictions ...

March 23 will mark exactly two years since President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that SA would go on 21-day hard lockdown ...

Covid-19 can cause brain shrinkage, memory loss — study

Covid-19 can cause the brain to shrink, reduce grey matter in the regions that control emotion and memory, and damage ...

By Reuters

YOUR COVID-19 QUESTIONS ANSWERED | Has SA's Covid-19 infection rate ...

The Department of Health hoped that by the end of February the positivity rate of Covid-19 infections would be lower ...

YOUR COVID-19 QUESTIONS ANSWERED | The death rate is low and the recovery ...

While the death rate may be low and the recovery rate from Covid-19 high, experts continue to advocate for getting the ...

Kyle Zeeman
Digital Editor

YOUR COVID-19 QUESTIONS ANSWERED | The state of disaster will be scrapped ...

Health minister Joe Phaahla said alternative regulations will cover surveillance and control of notifiable diseases, ...

Covid-19: 2,411 cases and 40 deaths recorded in SA in 24 hours

SA recorded 2,411 new Covid-19 cases in the past 24 hours, the NICD said on Thursday.

By Staff Reporter

Chiefs confident of winning Covid-19 case against PSL, says Jessica Motaung

Kaizer Chiefs' marketing director Jessica Motaung says the club are "very confident" of winning their arbitration case ...

By Marc Strydom

Man enters court premises with 'positive' ...

There was drama at the Nelspruit magistrate's court on Thursday morning as a man entered the courtroom carrying ...

Mandla Khoza
Freelance journalist

No Covid-19 vaccine so DUT students spend the night on the pavement

A group of Durban University of Technology students slept on the pavement outside the Berea campus on Tuesday night as ...

By LWAZI HLANGU

YOUR COVID-19 QUESTIONS ANSWERED | What is the new time frame to get my ...

The health department has reduced the time between first and second doses of Pfizer vaccine from 42 days to 21 days.

Budget 2022 | Tax windfall will pay for Covid-19 R350 grant & job creation ...

A R182bn tax windfall boosted by a commodity boom has resulted in a slight improvement in public finances, giving the ...

Caiphus Kgosana
Executive editor: opinions and analysis

Omicron BA.2 sub-variant more infectious but no more severe — Africa CDC

Though SA is over the peak of its Omicron wave, new infections have stabilised at about 3,000 a day, a higher level ...

By Alexander Winning and Estelle Shirbon

YOUR COVID-19 QUESTIONS ANSWERED | Are people on immunosuppressive drugs ...

Research has found those who take immunosuppressive drugs do not fare worse than others, on average, when hospitalised ...

Kyle Zeeman
Digital Editor

Ugandans would face fines, jail for refusing Covid-19 jab under new law

Uganda plans to impose fines on people who refuse to be vaccinated against Covid-19 and those who fail to pay could be ...

By Reuters

YOUR COVID-19 QUESTIONS ANSWERED | I got my vaccine in another country, ...

The health department has clarified that those who got their initial jabs of the Covid-19 vaccine outside SA can soon ...

Kyle Zeeman
Digital Editor

KZN health committee ‘satisfied’ with hospital diagnosis during check-ups

The KwaZulu-Natal health portfolio committee is satisfied with the progress made by the Vryheid District Hospital in ...

By Lwazi Hlangu and Mfundo Mkhize

New 'war room' to drive economic recovery in Gauteng

Gauteng premier David Makhura has placed infrastructure development at the centre of growing the province's ...

Nomazima Nkosi
Senior reporter

Covid-19 vaccination rules changed: Here's how

SA's health department is changing the Covid-19 vaccination rules to try to increase uptake as inoculations have ...

By reuters

YOUR COVID-19 QUESTIONS ANSWERED | I received the Pfizer jab, can I get a ...

People who are vaccinated with the Pfizer vaccine can from this week get either a Pfizer or J&J booster shot.

3,056 new Covid-19 cases identified in SA in past ...

Ninety-two people were admitted to hospital with Covid-19 in the past 24 hours.

By TIMESLIVE

YOUR COVID-19 QUESTIONS ANSWERED | How can I tell if I have Covid-19 or ...

According to NICD, typhoid may have similar symptoms to Covid-19 and the regular cough, cold and flu, so it is ...

WHO says six African countries will get mRNA tech transfer with SA as hub

The World Health Organisation on Friday announced the first six African countries to be part of the "hub and spoke" ...

By TANYA FARBER

SA’s excess death rate during Covid-19 pandemic reaches 1 in 200 people

Excess deaths during the Covid-19 pandemic account for one in 200 South Africans overall and one in 25 over-60s, ...

By Dave Chambers

YOUR COVID-19 QUESTIONS ANSWERED | I want to get vaccinated but scared of ...

Young males who are vaccinated against Covid-19 have a significantly reduced risk of falling ill from myocarditis and ...

YOUR COVID-19 QUESTIONS ANSWERED | Can I get Covid-19 from swimming in a ...

The World Health Organisation (WHO) says there is little chance of you getting Covid-19 from swimming in a public pool ...

Kyle Zeeman
Digital Editor

Man sets unenviable Covid-19 record by testing positive for 14 straight ...

Fourteen months and 78 straight positive tests later, he is still alive - and still battling to shake off Covid-19.

By Yesim Dikmen

Increase in GBV during lockdown nearly drove minister of women 'cuckoo'

Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, minster in the presidency for women, youth and persons with disabilities, thought she would ...

Suthentira Govender
Senior reporter

Three innovators manufacture self-cleaning masks

Three local innovators have produced a smart and self-cleaning mask, vouching for its effectiveness against many skin ...

By GCIS VUK'UZENZELE

Relief as R350 Covid-19 distress grant extended for another year

“Mindful of the proven benefits of the grant, we will extend the R350 SRD grant for one further year to the end of ...

Amanda Khoza
Presidency reporter

Covid-19: 203 deaths and 3,169 new cases recorded in 24 hours

The National Institute for Communicable Diseases has reported 3,169 new Covid-19 cases in the past 24 hours.

State of disaster to end ‘soon’: Ramaphosa

President Cyril Ramaphosa on Thursday announced the government’s intentions to end the national state of disaster.

Amanda Khoza
Presidency reporter

YOUR COVID-19 QUESTIONS ANSWERED | Alcohol is prohibited in my religion, ...

The World Health Organisation says alcohol-based sanitizers can be used in religions where alcohol is prohibited

Kyle Zeeman
Digital Editor

YOUR COVID-19 QUESTIONS ANSWERED | Can thermal ...

Thermal scanners are effective in detecting people who have a fever but cannot detect those who are infected with ...

Kyle Zeeman
Digital Editor

Gauteng records more than 1,200 of SA's 3,600 new Covid-19 cases: NICD

Gauteng accounted for 1,249 of SA's 3,628 Covid-19 cases identified in the past 24 hours, National Institute for ...

By TimesLIVE

Omicron BA.2 sub-variant dominant in SA, says CDC

The BA.2 sub-variant of Omicron is now the dominant Covid-19 variant in SA and has been detected in multiple other ...

By Reuters

YOUR COVID-19 QUESTIONS ANSWERED | Alcohol is prohibited in my religion, ...

The World Health Organisation says alcohol-based sanitizers can be used in religions where alcohol is prohibited

Kyle Zeeman
Digital Editor

Hong Kong vaccine rates spike as outbreak shatters Covid-19-free dreams

Vaccination rates are rising sharply among the elderly in Hong Kong, lifting from a relatively low base as an ...

By Jessie Pang

Approval of COVID vaccine made in SA could take 3 ...

The mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccine produced at the World Health Organization-backed vaccine hub in South Africa could take ...

By Reuters

Health minister says Ramaphosa will get report, ...

When President Cyril Ramaphosa convenes the National Coronavirus Command Council next week, he will receive a report ...

Amanda Khoza
Presidency reporter

Vaccines for adolescents: Prof Abdool Karim, Tembeka Ngcukaitobi and ...

Health minister Joe Phaahla has appointed a five-member appeal committee to adjudicate a challenge to the Covid-19 ...

By TimesLIVE

YOUR COVID-19 QUESTIONS ANSWERED | Could my shoes be spreading the ...

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the likelihood of Covid-19 being spread on shoes and infecting ...

Kyle Zeeman
Digital Editor

In world first, SA's Afrigen makes mRNA Covid-19 vaccine using Moderna data

It is the first mRNA vaccine designed, developed and produced at lab scale on the African continent.

By Wendell Roelf

Covid-19 infections were dipping but are up again to a plateau, says ...

The change from a decline to a plateau is likely linked to the opening of schools, and human movement at the tail end ...

Tanya Farber
Senior science reporter

Baxter: Covid-19 nightmare denied Chiefs chance to pressurise Sundowns

Kaizer Chiefs coach Stuart Baxter has rued the club's nightmare Covid-19 outbreak in December, a repercussion of which ...

By Marc Strydom

SA business activity grew in January as Covid-19 cases receded — PMI

South African private sector activity rose slightly in January as the Omicron wave of Covid-19 cases receded, lifting ...

By reuters

YOUR COVID-19 QUESTIONS ANSWERED | What foods can I eat to support my ...

The WHO says that there is no evidence supporting claims that people can get Covid-19 from eating fruits and vegetables.

Omicron sub-variant BA.2 found in 5 African countries -WHO scientist

The BA.2 sub-variant of Omicron has been found in five African countries, a World Health Organisation scientist said on ...

By Reuters

Time to disempower Covid-19 command council, says ...

Solidarity contends that the ongoing extension of the Covid-19 state of disaster is irrational.

By TIMESLIVE

Cabinet approves scrapping of rotational learning

Cabinet has approved to scrap rotational learning and for all primary school kids to go back to class full-time.

Nomazima Nkosi
Senior reporter

YOUR COVID-19 QUESTIONS ANSWERED | Can I get Covid-19 from second hand ...

While further studies are needed to understand if second-hand smoke can lead to the spread of Covid-19, experts say it ...

Kyle Zeeman
Digital Editor

Covid-19: 3,085 cases, 195 deaths recorded in SA in 24 hours

SA recorded just more than 3,000 Covid-19 cases in the past 24 hours, the NICD said on Tuesday.

By TimesLIVE

SOWETAN | We must still be vigilant against Covid-19

Today marks 678 days, nearly two years, since the country was placed on lockdown in the war against the Covid-19 ...

By Sowetan

CCMA upholds suspension of ‘devout Christian’ who refused Covid-19 jab

This is the second case involving mandatory Covid-19 vaccinations in the workplace to be heard by the Commission for ...

By TimesLIVE

Panyaza Lesufi tests positive for Covid-19

Gauteng education MEC Panyaza Lesufi has tested positive for Covid-19, his department said on Friday.

By TimesLIVE

Mabuza urges those sceptical about Covid-19 vaccines to have a rethink

Deputy president David Mabuza used his Christmas message on Friday to encourage those still sceptical about Covid-19 ...

By TimesLIVE

SA records 21,000 new Covid-19 cases, 75 deaths in 24 hours: NICD

There were 21,157 new Covid-19 recorded across the country in the past 24 hours, the NICD said on Thursday.

By TimesLIVE

J&J booster vaccinations available from Christmas Eve, Pfizer before New ...

The health department is implementing booster doses of the Covid-19 vaccines.

By TimesLIVE

Futile Covid-19 tests for mild cases are ...

Pointless Covid-19 testing has become a public health threat as the Omicron variant continues to deliver a wave of mild ...

By Dave Chambers

YOUR COVID-19 QUESTIONS ANSWERED | Is ‘long Covid’ contagious?

While many have developed persistent Covid-19 symptoms long after getting the virus, a condition known as "long Covid", ...

Kyle Zeeman
Digital Editor

YOUR COVID-19 QUESTIONS ANSWERED | I am vaccinated against Covid-19, how ...

People who are vaccinated against Covid-19 have a greater chance of recovering should they contract the coronavirus, ...

SA records 21,099 new Covid-19 cases, 99 deaths in past 24 hours

KZN recorded 5,411 and the Western Cape 4,609 of the 21,099 new Covid-19 cases - compared with 3,807 recorded in ...

By TimesLIVE

SA scientists confirm Omicron cases are less severe than Delta

However, those who are admitted have no significantly lower chance of experiencing severe disease, they say.

By TImesLIVE

Covid-19 variants damage SA brand reputation — ...

The association of Covid-19 variants with SA have damaged the country's brand reputation as a tourist destination.

Isaac Mahlangu
Senior reporter

President Cyril Ramaphosa returns to work after ...

President Cyril Ramaphosa has ended a week of self-isolation after testing positive for Covid-19, his office said on ...

By TimesLIVE

Gwede Mantashe tests positive for Covid-19

Minister of mineral resources and energy Gwede Mantashe has tested positive for Covid-19.

Covid-19 isolation should be cut to seven days: advisory committee

The isolation period for Covid-19 patients with symptoms should be reduced from 10 days to seven, the ministerial ...

By TImesLIVE

Rampant Covid-19 variant on the rampage in 89 countries, says WHO

The Omicron variant of Covid-19, revealed by SA scientists just 23 days ago, has been reported in 89 countries, the ...

By TIMESLIVE

New Zealand links 26-year-old man's death to Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine

New Zealand authorities on Monday said they had linked a 26-year-old man's death to Pfizer Inc's Covid-19 vaccine after ...

By Reuters

Court halts implementation of Covid-19 vaccination requirement in Kenya

A Kenyan court has temporarily halted the government's plan to require Covid-19 vaccination for access to public ...

By Humphrey Malala

Valneva says its booster works as a follow-up to its own Covid-19 shot

French biotech firm Valneva said on Thursday its Covid-19 vaccine candidate was efficient as a booster for people who ...

By Benoit Van Overstraeten

SA part of landmark study to evaluate Covid-19 vaccine efficacy in HIV ...

A clinical trial in eight sub-Saharan countries will be the first to specifically evaluate the efficacy of a Covid-19 ...

Suthentira Govender
Senior reporter

Omicron estimated to be 2.9% of Covid-19 variants in US: CDC

The Omicron variant was estimated to be 2.9% of the Covid-19 variants circulating in the United States as of December ...

By Ankur Banerjee

Two Gauteng hospitals worried about capacity to admit Covid-19 patients as ...

Two of Gauteng’s biggest hospitals have sounded the alarm amid a surge in Covid-19 admissions, with one stating that it ...

Isaac Mahlangu
Senior reporter

Covid-19 ward nurses share struggles

For three months last year during Covid-19 Ncumisa Dyantyi, 29, had to take off her uniform and bathe herself first ...

Mpho Koka
Journalist

Health department 'has no idea why the test for Covid-19 still costs R850'

The cost of Covid-19 testing – set at R850 per test by some private laboratories – is being investigated by the ...

Gill Gifford
Senior journalist

Kaizer Chiefs ask PSL to postpone matches amid Covid-19 outbreak at ...

Kaizer Chiefs have asked the Premier Soccer League to postpone their four matches in December due to an outbreak of ...

By Marc Strydom

LOCKDOWN - ONE YEAR ON

Lockdown | One year on

Saturday marks exactly a year since President Cyril Ramaphosa effected the Covid-19-enforced national lockdown; and ...

By Mpho Koka, Lindile Sifile and Yolisa Sobuwa

Economy bleeds, unemployment at all-time high

Saturday marks exactly a year since President Cyril Ramaphosa effected the Covid-19-enforced national lockdown; and ...

Lindile Sifile
Journalist

Lockdown forced small businesses to change tact

The restrictions brought upon by the lockdown regulations forced many small business owners to rethink their business ...

Tankiso Makhetha
Investigative reporter

Pandemic sent pastor down financial hellhole

When the President extended the country’s first hard lockdown, a pastor had to rely on handouts and reprieve on his ...

Mpho Koka
Journalist

Couple gets new lease on life with baking business

A cook-off challenge between friends to get rid of the lockdown boredom has given a Joburg couple a new lease on life ...

Yoliswa Sobuwa
Journalist

Bus company owner fears the worst over expected third wave

Sonja Le Roux, a bus company owner, is worried that the anticipated third wave of the Covid-19 that is expected in ...

Mpho Koka
Journalist

Dad's retrenchment forces pupil to stop boarding

Life has not been the same for a 35-year-old man who was retrenched during lockdown and could no longer afford to pay ...

Yoliswa Sobuwa
Journalist

WE FIGHT ON | A year since first Covid-19 infection in SA was confirmed

WE FIGHT ON | A year since first Covid-19 infection in SA was confirmed

On March 5, 2020 health minister Zweli Mkhize announced that the country had its first confirmed case, a man who was ...

A year on since first case of Covid-19 in SA

"A 38-year-old male who travelled to Italy with his wife. They were part of a group of 10 people and they arrived back ...

Isaac Mahlangu
Senior reporter

Doctors accused of bringing virus from China recall stigma and threats

Just a month after they were released from a quarantine site in Limpopo, twins Mvuzo and Mvuyisi Nkcosolwana-Vili were ...

Yoliswa Sobuwa
Journalist

Families of Covid-19 victims speak of their anguish

As SA reached a grim milestone of recording more than 50,000 Covid-19 deaths this week, relatives of some of the people ...

Mpho Koka
Journalist

I almost lost my job over quarantine site – health MEC

Limpopo health MEC Ramathuba says the decision to allow repatriated South Africans from Wuhan to be quarantined at the ...

Hero SAA pilot happy to be flying again after nine months

Two months after flying an SAA flight on a historic mission to repatriate South Africans from a Chinese city that was ...

How Prof Karim went from doubter to virus fighter

In an interview with Sowetan this week ahead of the commemoration of the anniversary of the first case of Covid-19 ...

Lindile Sifile
Journalist

Gauteng had to obtain court orders for Covid-19 patients

The Gauteng government had its hands full and in some cases needed the help of law enforcement agencies including ...

Isaac Mahlangu
Senior reporter