On Friday (yesterday), the World Health Organisation (WHO) reported 884 586 new Covid-19 cases, 836 485 as the pandemic continued to dominate headlines across the world.
Pfizer vaccines arrive in South Africa
This week, the first batch of Pfizer vaccines, totalling over 300 000, arrived in South Africa. Pressure has been mounting on government to begin vaccinating the general public before the third wave hits.
For more on South Africa’s vaccines, click here.
Covid-19 modelling update: Third wave worst in Gauteng?
The Covid-19 Modelling Consortium, established to project the spread of the disease to support policy and planning, warns that a third wave could hardest hit South Africa’s economic hub.
Potential drivers of the expected surge in infections across the country include the behavioural changes that have seen people grow more relaxed as memories of the second wave recede, ongoing viral mutations, seasonal factors, and the fact that the immunity of people infected in the second wave is waning.
For more on this story, click here.
Cape Town joins global vaccination preparedness programme
Cape Town has joined 17 other cities across the world in the Bloomberg Partnership for Healthy Cities, which aims to support vaccine distribution planning efforts.
The programme includes communication campaigns that are set to reach over 530 000 high-risk people in the city, including the homeless and migrants. Communication platforms will include taxis, billboards, sky banners, and radio.
For more information about the Partnership for Healthy Cities, click here.
India’s staggering infection rate
India is currently experiencing record new cases and deaths as a result of Covid-19. WHO stated this week that, ‘India accounts for over 90% of both cases and deaths in the region, as well as 46% of global cases and 25% of global deaths reported in the past week’.
For more information on India’s coronavirus cases, click here:
Vessel locked down at Durban port
Transnet National Ports Authority confirmed that the chief engineer of the Eaubonne vessel, which arrived from India and berthed at the Durban port on May 2, died of a heart attack and 14 of the crew members have tested positive for Covid-19.
*Notice: Coronavirus reporting at Caxton Local Media aims to combat fake news
Dear reader,
As your local news provider, we have the duty of keeping you factually informed on Covid-19 developments. As you may have noticed, mis- and disinformation (also known as “fake news”) is circulating online. Caxton Local Media is determined to filter through the masses of information doing the rounds and to separate truth from untruth in order to keep you adequately informed. Local newsrooms follow a strict pre-publication fact-checking protocol. A national task team has been established to assist in bringing you credible news reports on Covid-19. Readers with any comments or queries may contact National Group Editor Irma Green (irma@caxton.co.za) or Legal Adviser Helene Eloff (helene@caxton.co.za).
