I heard someone say recently: “this variant is really catchy”. My family can bear testimony to this. We have just had a markedly quiet Christmas and new year, all of us holed up with positive Covid-19 results. This came as an unwelcome surprise – no doubt as it has to the more than one million […]

Tributes have poured in for NATU President Allen Thompson who has sadly passed away, after reportedly being infected with Covid-19. Thompson was elected President of the National Teacher’s Union in 2018. Elijah Mhlanga, Communications Director at the Department of Basic Education, tweeted: “I am terribly shocked and saddened at the news of the passing of […]

There will be no ‘family meeting’ tonight in South Africa. The Presidency has confirmed that there is no truth to the rumour that President Cyril Ramaphosa was to address the nation tonight, Monday 4 January 2021. Rumours had been flying on social media that President Ramaphosa was due to announce even stricter restrictions, and that […]

South Africa’s Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize announced that as of today, “the total number of confirmed #COVID19 cases is 1 100 748; the total number of deaths is 29 577 and the total number of recoveries is 903 679.” Today’s stats show a 32% positivity rate. There were a further 402 deaths overnight, with […]

Health Minister Zweli Mkhize on Sunday 3 January 2021 presented South Africa’s COVID-19 Vaccine Strategy. This follows several calls for an urgent rollout of vaccines, including a petition from health workers that has been signed by over 6,000 supporters. Dr Mkhize explained: We have always said that the second wave is going to come and […]

The South African variant of Covid-19, which has already been identified in Australia and the UK, has now been found in isolated patients in France, South Korea, Switzerland and Japan. The new mutation – known as 501.V2 variant – which genomics scientists first identified in Nelson Mandela Bay, was announced by SA Health Minister Dr […]

In South Africa’s latest Covid-19 update on Friday night, Health Minister Dr Zwelini Mkhize revealed that with 16,726 new cases reported on New Year’s Day, this represents a positivity rate of 33.4 %, SA’s highest daily positivity rate. Dr Mkhize said in a statement on 1 January 2021: “As of today, the total number of […]

History was made today in South Africa with drastically reduced trauma cases being seen in hospitals on the first day of the year. South Africa’s stricter lockdown 3 regulations – including an alcohol ban and curfew of 9pm – are what probably led to a significant reduction in trauma cases this New Year’s Eve. An […]

South Africa has as of Wednesday recorded a staggering 17 710 new cases – bringing the country’s cumulative total of COVID-19 cases to 1 039 161, indicating a positivity rate of 33%. Several experts appeared on SABC this morning to discuss the status quo and the vaccine rollout. (Watch below.) “The positivity rate, being an […]

JOHANNESBURG – South Africa’s representative of the hospitality industry, FEDHASA, has called on the government to fast track its vaccine deployment to make SA a more attractive destination to international travellers. South Africa’s competitiveness as a global tourism destination depends on perceptions of safety for travellers New AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine provides another viable alternative The […]

Rachel Kolisi, wife of Springbok captain Siya Kolisi, says Covid is not like flu… it’s far worse. Sharing her experience of testing positive for Covid-19, Rachel says that at first she thought she just had a sinus infection. She had no fever, sore throat or coughing; and actually spent the day in the swimming pool. […]

A new cohort of health workers is set to assist South Africa’s already constrained health system that is in the throes of a second COVID-19 wave, at the start of the New Year. Expressing concern by the rising numbers of healthcare professionals becoming infected with COVID-19, Health Minister Zweli Mkhize announced that the Department of […]

News that convicted prisoners may be amongst the first group of people to receive Covid-19 vaccinations has been met with “alarm” by the Democratic Alliance (DA), says MP James Selfe, DA Shadow Minister of Correctional Services. “We trust that this proposal will not be accepted or implemented,” said Selfe in a press statement on Tuesday. […]

The mutated Covid-19 variant (known as the 501.V2 Variant), which was announced in South Africa 10 days ago, has been discovered for the first time in Australia in a person who recently returned from SA. The female traveller was in quarantine in Queensland when she tested positive for the new ‘super strain’. It’s therefore hoped […]

South Africa now has 1 011 871 COVID-19 cases after the Health Department reported 7 458 new cases on Monday. A further 336 COVID-19 related deaths were also reported with 109 in the Eastern Cape, while the Free State recorded 8, Gauteng 22, KwaZulu-Natal 49 and Western Cape 148. This brings the total to 27 […]

The Democratic Alliance (DA) has pointed out that in President Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement this evening, in which he has returned South Africa to Lockdown Level 3, the President has “still neglected to speak with clarity and certainty” on the acquisition and provision of the coronavirus vaccine. ”We understand that the resurgence in Covid-19 cases is […]

President Cyril Ramaphosa tonight issued a heartfelt plea to South Africans to do what they can to stop the spread of Covid-19. In an address to the nation, the SA president announced that South Africa will enter an adjusted Level 3 from midnight tonight, which includes a ban on the sale of alcohol. The President […]

South Africa has breached the one million mark of COVID-19 cases in South Africa, after 9 502 new cases were reported on Sunday, bringing the cumulative total to 1 004 413 cases. A total of 214 COVID-19 related deaths were reported, with 123 in the Eastern Cape, 17 in Gauteng, 13 in KwaZulu-Natal, five in […]

Travellers between South Africa and Zimbabwe, making their way home for the festive season, have been stuck in long traffic jams (some for five days) at the Beitbridge border post, in incredibly hot conditions without easy access to water, food and other amenities. This has led to the tragic death of at least four people […]

The South African government may have to review current lockdown restrictions and consider further measures to curb the exponential spread of the COVID-19 virus, says Health Minister, Dr Zwelini Mkhize. He warned that within days the number of daily positive cases recorded in SA will surpass that of the peak during the first wave. The […]

England announced last night that as of 09h00 today, Thursday morning 24 Dec, no more flights will be allowed to enter the country from South Africa. This follows the discovery of at least two patients in the UK being identified with the Covid-19 variant from South Africa, a mutation which the South African authorities announced […]

South Africa has recorded 339 more COVID-19 related deaths bringing the death toll to 25 246, says Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize. A total of 9 501 new cases have been reported in the past 24 hours pushing the country’s cumulative COVID-19 figures to 940 212. Covid-19 Deaths by Province in SA The Eastern Cape […]

News that British Airways has announced plans to suspend 13 destinations, including the direct Durban – London route, has been met with disappointment by KwaZulu-Natal’s (KZN) Economic Development and Tourism Department… as well as understanding. The department’s Ravi Pillay has warned this will hamper growth of international air services into the province post-Covid-19, but said […]

South Africa has made a down payment to secure the COVID-19 vaccine for 10% of the country’s population. “The National Department of Health and the Solidarity Fund are pleased to announce that a down payment of US $19.2 million USD (R283 million) has been made to GAVI (the Vaccine Alliance) to secure South Africa’s entry […]

Only a massive global rollout of an effective vaccine can end the Covid-19 pandemic in the short term. The vaccine is being rolled out in the United Kingdom and United States. It’s expected to become available in Europe imminently. This is where things stand in South Africa. The Department of Health is playing its cards […]