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Tighter Covid restrictions for N. Mandela Bay — other hotspots may follow

Health Sarah Smit & M&G Data Desk - 3 Dec 2020

With the number of cases spiralling out of control in hotspots in the Eastern Cape and Western Cape, longer curfews and restrictions on alcohol sales are being implemented

Excess deaths rise, starting in Covid hotspot Eastern Cape

Coronavirus Boitumelo Kgobotlo - 3 Dec 2020

As the pandemic’s second wave spreads through the country, the number of excess deaths increases too

‘Where the governments see statistics, I see the faces of my friends’

Health Khadija Patel - 1 Dec 2020

Yvette Raphael describes herself as a ‘professional protester, sjambok feminist and hater of trash’. Government officials would likely refer to her as ‘a rebel’. She’s fought for equality her entire life, she says. And she’s scared of no one

Covid-19 info lags as cases shoot up

Health Boitumelo Kgobotlo - 27 Nov 2020

Vital information apps and websites are outdated as cases begin to mushroom, especially near the coast, just in time for the December holidays

Covid vaccines: Hope balanced with caution

Coronavirus Philip Machanick - 25 Nov 2020

As Covid vaccines near the manufacturing stage, a look at two polio vaccines provides valuable historical insights

Covid-19 vaccines offer hope as world leaders plan for future

Health Agence France Presse - 23 Nov 2020

Hopes over Covid-19 vaccines have given a boost to virus-weary citizens across the globe, but the disease remains rampant and world leaders are urging people to be patient

Six injections a year could stop new HIV infections

Africa Laura López González - 16 Nov 2020

New research from seven countries in Africa signals the future of HIV prevention — but what can it learn from its past?

$500m for Covid test, treat, vaccine

Health Agence France Presse - 15 Nov 2020

France, Spain, the European Commission and Britain as well as the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation have pledged money for equity in the treatment of Covid-19

Lowdown on Pfizer’s Covid vaccine

Coronavirus Simon Allison - 15 Nov 2020

The recent announcement of a promising Covid-19 vaccine is good news. But don’t get too excited, cautions Simon Allison: other more affluent countries have already bought up most of the doses, and we do not own the expensive technology necessary to store and transport it

How to explain the Covid-19 ‘weekend effect’

Coronavirus Sarah Smit & M&G Data Desk - 9 Nov 2020

Reported Covid-19 cases and the number of people tested typically fall over the weekend. But this doesn’t mean that the virus is taking a break

Why Covid likely won’t change the plight of community health workers

Coronavirus Joan Van Dyk - 2 Nov 2020

In the absence of action from the health department, South Africa’s community health workers are once again having to fight for their rights, with a nationwide strike planned from 9 November.

Greed won’t end the vaccine wars

Coronavirus Pontsho Pilane - 31 Oct 2020

In the race for a safe and effective vaccine, human rights and honesty should be prioritised above profits, say activists

The high road is in harm reduction

Coronavirus Pontsho Pilane - 29 Oct 2020

While the restriction of movement curtailed the health services for people who use drugs in some parts of the world, it propelled other countries into finding innovative ways to continue services, a new report reveals

Wheeling and dealing for a Covid-19 vaccine

Coronavirus Laura López González - 27 Oct 2020

A Covid-19 jab could cost hundreds of rands. Or not. It’s anyone’s guess. Could another pandemic almost a century ago hold clues for handling the coronavirus today?

World of vaccines is a ‘fiendishly’ complex one

Coronavirus Thabani Maphosa - 24 Oct 2020

It is important that Africa, along with other regions of the Global South, builds its own vaccine-manufacturing capacity

Vitamin therapy is for drips

Health Sarah Smit - 23 Oct 2020

It may be marketed by influencers, but intravenous vitamin therapy is not necessary and probably not worth the hype, experts say

Ailing Far East Rand hospital purchases ‘vanity’ furniture

Health Khaya Koko - 20 Oct 2020

Dr Zacharia Mathaba, who purchased the furniture, is a suspected overtime fraudster and was appointed as Gauteng hospital chief executive despite facing serious disciplinary charges

Covid-19 disrupts HIV and TB services

Coronavirus Pontsho Pilane - 18 Oct 2020

While data is still trickling in on how much the pandemic affects health systems, there are far-reaching consequences for people living with HIV and tuberculosis.

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