Category: In The News

South Africa has reported 136 new COVID-19 cases bringing the total number of laboratory-confirmed cases to 2 926 075.

In a statement on Monday, the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) said the increase represents a 0.9% positivity rate.

“The proportion of positive new cases/total new tested today is 0.9%, which is lower than yesterday (1.1%). The 7-day average is 1.0% today, which is the same as yesterday (1.0%). The 7-day moving average daily number of cases has increased,” the NICD said.

#COVID19 UPDATE: A total of 15,223 tests were conducted in the last 24hrs, with 136 new cases, which represents a 0.9% positivity rate. A further 5 #COVID19 related deaths have been reported, bringing total fatalities to 89,489 to date. See more here: https://t.co/zDWRI2sLPS pic.twitter.com/e79IEUBF76

— NICD (@nicd_sa) November 15, 2021

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At least eight people have been arrested in relation to theft and vandalism of electricity infrastructure in Gauteng over the past two months.

That is according to state power utility Eskom.

The entity said the arrests are the fruits of a collaborative effort between itself and the South African Police Service (SAPS) and members of the community.

“The arrests follow Eskom’s efforts to address the increasing incidents of illegal electricity-related activities in the province. Sadly, two suspects lost their lives due to electrocution as they tampered with the electricity equipment in separate incidents,” the utility said in a statement.

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According to the South African Council of Churches (SACC) it is a myth that COVID-19 vaccines cause variants.

According to them the COVID-19 vaccines do not create or cause variants of the virus.

Read more below.

MYTH: COVID-19 vaccines cause variants.
FACT: COVID-19 vaccines do not create or cause variants of the virus.

— South African Council of Churches (@OfficialSACC) November 15, 2021

Photo: Twitter

South Africa has recorded 262 new COVID-19 cases which brings the total number of laboratory-confirmed cases to 2 925 939.

The National Institute for Communicable Diseases says the increase represents a 1.1% positivity rate.

A further eight COVID-19 related deaths have been reported bringing the total fatalities to 89 484 to date.

According to the Department of Health, 18 917 933 tests have been conducted in both public and private sectors.

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Photo: GCIS

Deputy President David Mabuza has expressed concern that the country could fail to vaccinate close to 40 million citizens by the end of 2021, as South Africa races to reach herd immunity.  

“I’m not very sure whether we are going to reach our targets, the 70% that we are yearning for. It looks far-fetched. I’m sure that we are going to revise our targets,” he acknowledged on Friday.

According to the latest statistics, South Africa has distributed the COVID-19 vaccine to over 13 million or 33.21% of the adult population out of the 39 798 201 or 70% government is aiming to reach.

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Photo: GCIS

In addition to being in observing mode, some organizations are able to be COP actors by adding their work and ideas to the contributions spotlighted at COP to redress the climate crisis.

This afternoon, the World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) did exactly that at the SDG7 Clean Energy for All pavilion.

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There are now over a quarter of a million children who have received their first dose of the Pfizer vaccine since 20 October 2021.

According to the Department of Health, of the 136 550 vaccine doses that were distributed on Thursday, 10 363 were given to adolescents between the ages of 12 and 17.

This means there are now 252 934 children who are vaccinated against COVID-19.

Meanwhile, 23 684 440 vaccine shots have been administered since the start of the inoculation programme, while the country is home to 13 225 253 fully vaccinated adults.

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Photo: Unsplash

Eskom Chief Executive André de Ruyter says the power utility does not expect to implement any load shedding this weekend.

This after the country was subjected to load shedding for most of this week including the longer and more frequent Stage Four.

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Archbishop Thabo Makgoba of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa urges all eligible persons, especially those who are 50 years and older to go out in their numbers to get vaccinated during the #VoomaVaccination Weekend on 12-14 November 2021. 

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Archbishop Thabo Makgoba of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa urges all eligible persons, especially those who are 50 years and older to go out in their numbers to get vaccinated during the #VoomaVaccination Weekend on 12-14 November 2021. #VaccinesSaveLives pic.twitter.com/iH2Kj1fHAA

— Ekurhuleni Health District (@EkurhuleniDist1) November 11, 2021

Photo: Facebook

“It is with the deepest sadness that the FW de Klerk Foundation must announce that former President FW de Klerk died peacefully at his home in Fresnaye earlier this morning following his struggle against mesothelioma cancer. Mr De Klerk was 85 years old,”  the FW De Klerk Foundation said in a statement.

“He is survived by his wife Elita, his children Jan and Susan and his grandchildren. The family will, in due course, make an announcement regarding funeral arrangements.”

Photo: Facebook – FW de Klerk Foundation