Editor’s Note: Don’t wait, vaccinate!
If you have not yet been vaccinated, get your free vaccine as soon as possible.
WHILE we remain on Level 1 it’s imperative that we all play our part in reducing the spread of Covid-19.
By now most of you would have heard about the new variant of concern, called Omicron. It was first detected in Botswana, then in SA as well as in various other countries.
In a statement President Cyril Ramaphosa highlighted what we know about Omicron:
– it has more mutations than other variants
– it is easy to detect in COVID-19 tests
– it is responsible for most infections in Gauteng in the last 2 weeks is now in all provinces in SA
Here’s what we don’t know:
– if it spreads more easily
– if it increases the risk of reinfection
– if it leads to more severe disease
– how effective current vaccines are
Also read: President deeply disappointed by the decision to prohibit travel from SA
The president reiterated his call for South Africans to vaccinate, saying, ‘vaccination is the most important way to protect yourself and those around you and is vital to the return of the economy to full function.’
He said vaccination reduces severe illness, hospitalisation, and death. Over 25 million doses have been administered in SA. 35.6% of adults are fully vaccinated but this is not enough.
If you have not yet been vaccinated, get your free vaccine as soon as possible.
* 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).
