The first participants in South Africa’s first clinical trial for a vaccine against COVID-19 will be vaccinated this week. The first clinical trial in South Africa and on the continent for a COVID-19 vaccine was announced on Tuesday during a virtual press conference hosted by the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg (Wits). Wits University is […]

The big medical aid heist? To replace my current lenses will cost R6,000 – of which #Bankmed will ONLY pay R1,500 – thus leaving me to pay R4,500 out of MY own pocket… writes Gauteng publicist and regular SAPeople contributor Georg Knoke. Some background: I’m on one of the highest levels of medical aid cover, […]

South Africa recorded 4 621 new COVID-19 cases on Sunday, bringing the total number of infections to 97 302. Meanwhile, there are 53 additional fatalities of which 27 are from Western Cape, 17 from Eastern Cape, eight are from Gauteng and one from KwaZulu-Natal, bringing the death toll to 1 930. On Saturday, South Africa reached […]

President Cyril Ramaphosa says government relied on scientific advice, consultations and the experience of other countries when it made the decision to gradually ease lockdown. The President said this when he fielded oral questions from members of the National Assembly during a hybrid question and answer session on Thursday. “In deciding on when to begin […]

Use of a widely available steroid called dexamethasone on patients in England, increasing their survival rate, has been hailed as a “breakthrough” across the world and as exciting news by the South African government’s COVID-19 task team. They have said that medical staff in the country should consider the use of  dexamethasone on patients on […]

As the number of COVID-19 infection cases in South Africa continues to rise, with the national death toll now at 1080, President Cyril Ramaphosa has offered his condolences to the families of COVID-19 victims, who have succumbed to the virus. “Each one of these deaths is a tragedy. Each one represents a unique life: a […]

Government’s lack of transparency means analysts cannot evaluate whether a strategy is working… writes Alex van den Heever on GroundUp. The response required to address the Covid-19 pandemic in South Africa could reasonably be argued to necessitate the extraordinary step to invoke the Disaster Management Act. After all, in times of crisis, even the old Roman […]

Everyday Lauren* breaks her isolation to visit the clinic where she undergoes radiotherapy. Cancer patients appear to have a higher risk of dying of Covid-19 if they become infected with the new coronavirus. Lauren has cancer and needs to attend a clinic for radiotherapy. She describes the measures the clinic has taken because of the […]

An urgent intervention and investigation of a Durban quarantine facility is being sought by both the DA and AfriForum to resolve what the opposition party calls an “untenable situation”. About 160 to 200 South Africans are currently being quarantined in Durban hotel, Coastlands… which they claim is dirty and unsafe, and where they are allegedly […]

There are now 40,792 confirmed COVID-19 cases in South Africa as of 4 June 2020, according to the Department of Health. This is an increase of 3,267 cases in the past 24 hours. Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize said: “As of today, the cumulative number of confirmed #COVID19 is 40 792, the total number of […]

South Africa’s government is proud that its response to Covid-19 relies on science. It might be prouder if it was also guided by knowledge of how society works. When South Africa’s Covid-19 lockdown began on 27 March, opposition from some quarters was inevitable. What was not expected was that the most vehement resistance would be […]

As South Africans grapple with a cigarette ban, it’s World No-Tobacco Day today – Sunday 31 May – and here are the latest insights on Tobacco and Covid-19 from the World Health Organisation (WHO). As tobacco kills up to half of its users, the WHO has released a global campaign #TobaccoExposed to debunk myths and […]

Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize, has announced a total number of 22 583 confirmed COVID-19 cases in South Africa. “A total of 583 855 tests have been conducted to date with 19 485 tests done in the past 24 hour testing cycle,” Mkhize said on Sunday. The Western Cape is leading with 14 740 people testing positive for […]

The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in South Africa has reached the 20 000 mark, as the country’s death toll increased by 28 to 397 on Friday. According to the Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize, the total number of confirmed Coronavirus cases in is now 20 125 which increased by 988 new cases in the […]

Dr Anban Pillay, the acting director-general of the Health Department, has requested an investigation into the conduct of Dr Glenda Gray, the president of the Medical Research Council (MRC) in South Africa, claiming that she has “made a number of false allegations against government”. These concerns were described in a letter dated 21 May written […]

The number of Covid-19 patients at Groote Schuur Hospital in Cape Town is doubling every five days, according to a doctor, one of several at the hospital that GroundUp spoke to. The hospital will not be able to cope unless something is done. “I expect there will be an excess of patients needing care even […]

South Africa’s COVID-19 cases rose to 17 200, with the Northern Cape which has the least number of infections in the country, recording its first death. “Regrettably we report a further 26 COVID-19 related deaths. This brings the total national deaths to 312,” Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize, said on Tuesday. On Tuesday, South Africa […]

R0 is on everyone’s lips these days, and it is a critical measure of the epidemic that guides predictions and policies. Yet how R works is widely misunderstood and this leads to inappropriate conclusions. I hope this article will clarify some misunderstandings… writes Max Price. But I must emphasise the examples here are for the […]

The National Health Insurance (NHI) has become an idealistic concept known as “imaginary.” It’s become the idea onto which all South Africa’s aspirations for healthcare have been projected. The dream of a system that is fairer, less divided and more efficient. It’s even been called “pie in the sky.” Steve Reid reports. It’s clear that […]

South Africa’s confirmed COVID-19 cases now stand at 16 433 with 475 071 tests having been conducted. In a statement on Monday, Health Minister Zweli Mkhize said of the 475 071 tests conducted, 14 198 tests had been conducted in the last 24-hours. South Africa also reported a further 22 COVID-19 related deaths, bringing the total number of deaths […]

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of universal health coverage. That is the message underlined by President Cyril Ramaphosa who was addressing the virtual 73rd Session of the World Health Assembly (WHA) on Monday. The pandemic should propel countries to act with greater urgency to make it a reality. “In this final decade towards […]

South Africa recorded its highest new infections since the Coronavirus outbreak, with 1,160 fresh cases in the last 24-hour cycle. According to Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize, the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases is now 15 515, while three people succumbed to the COVID-19 related illness bringing the death toll to 264. Of the 264 […]

Children are suffering increasingly from preventable infectious diseases, including TB and measles, due to missed vaccinations. When a novel coronavirus now known as SARS-CoV-2 first entered the world stage on the heels of the Chinese New Year in January 2020, little was known about it and its impact on people, health systems and countries. This […]

This Sunday Carte Blanche investigates how the lockdown is affecting the wine industry in the Cape Winelands, South Africa… and what it will take to recover. With around 600 wineries affected by lockdown, the iconic Cape winelands that earn R49 billion for the country annually are bleeding revenue, jobs and prospects. COVID-19 lockdown regulations saw […]

South Africa’s confirmed COVID-19 cases stood at 12,739 on Thursday night, with 19 more deaths recorded. “Regrettably we report a further 19 COVID-19 related deaths. This brings the total national deaths to 238,” said Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize. The Minister expressed his condolences to the loved ones of those who passed on, while also […]