DEVELOPING: Coronavirus COVID-19 in Cape Town. Updates + practical tips

SA kids + teens register to vaccinate, UCT to implement mandatory vaccination + more Covid updates

Last update: Friday, 22 October 2021

COVID-19 HIGHLIGHTS

• Over 30 000 teens register for vaccination

• UCT approves mandatory vaccination, effective from 1 January

• SAHPRA rejects Russian vaccine

• WATCH: Vaccine myths debunked

• SA on Level 1 as of September 30 

 

OVER 30 000 TEENS REGISTER FOR VACCINATION

More than 30 000 children aged 12 - 17 years registered to receive a Covid-19 vaccination on Wednesday 20 October, with 15 573 children registered in Gauteng and 10 589 children signing up in the Western Cape, according to News24.

This age group is expected to add approximately six million more people to South Africa’s vaccination programme as the Department of Health is hoping to have at least 50% of the age group vaccinated before the beginning of school holidays in December 2021. 

Director General of Health Dr Nicholas Crisp added that there is no parental consent required as the Children’s Act permits children between the ages of 12 -17 access to medical treatment without parental concern, with certain regulations.

Vaccination for 12yrs-17yrs old is now available at public and private #vaccination sites nearest to you home. You can walk in to any site. Vaccines are safe and save lives. #VaccinateToSaveSouthAfrica #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/4CaiEszPX2

— Department of Health (@HealthZA) October 20, 2021

  

UCT APPROVES MANDATORY VACCINATION FROM 1 JANUARY

The University of Cape Town (UCT) council has approved a mandate to make Covid-19 vaccinations compulsory to gain access to its campuses and is expected to be implemented on the 1st of January 2022. 

Council chairperson, Babalwa Ngonyama shared that with the on-going debates around vaccinations, not everyone will be in agreement. 

“For a public institution like ours, with an established culture for debate and inquiry, we must expect and value the very many contributions that staff and students are making to the debate on vaccinations,” she said in a bulletin on the university’s website.

Chair of Council, Ms Babalwa Ngonyama, updates the UCT community about decisions made at Council’s recent meeting. Read the full Chair’s Desk: https://t.co/ASh2ieRys6

— UCT (@UCT_news) October 21, 2021

 

SA HEALTH REGULATOR REJECTS RUSSIAN VACCINE

The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) said on Monday 18 October that it would not approve the use of Russia’s Sputnik V Covid-19 vaccine for now, citing concerns about its potential high susceptibility to HIV. 

SAHPRA stated that it had requested information from the vaccine manufacturers, showing that Sputnik was safe in instances of high HIV prevalence and incidence. 

“The applicant was not able to adequately address SAHPRA’s request. ” read the statement shared by SAHPRA. 

 

 

COVID-19 UPDATE IN WESTERN CAPE: THE SITUATION NOW

The Western Cape had administered 3 446 651 vaccines as of 22 October and the recorded 1 962 active cases of Covid-19 (currently infected patients), with a total of 522 540 confirmed cases, according to the Western Cape government’s dashboard. 

Below are the Western Cape stats, according to the WC government’s dashboard as of 22 October:

• 3 446 651 total vaccines administered
   
• 500 500 recorded recoveries
   
• 20 078 deaths
  
  
• 1 962 active cases

 

COVID-19 IN SOUTH AFRICA: THE SITUATION NOW

As of  21 October, the National Department of Health had administered a total of 21 011 187 vaccines. So far, the national total of reported cases stands at 2 918 366 cases. Here are the official figures, according to the Department of Health:

• 2 810 316 recorded recoveries, with a 96,3% recovery rate
  
  
• 18 283 702 tests have been conducted
  
  
• 88 835 total deaths
  
  
• 19 215 active cases 

WATCH: DOCTORS DEBUNK 13 VACCINE MYTHS

Make an informed choice about getting the Covid-19 vaccine by watching Science Insider’s Debunked series, where scientists Dr Nipunie Rajapakse and Dr Maria Elena Bottazzi debunk 13 myths about the Covid-19 vaccine. Some of these include the dependence of herd immunity to avoid vaccination, receiving vaccines that carry diseases and more. 

 

SA MOVES TO LEVEL 1 + NEW REGULATIONS

Plus we are at level 1 since President Cyril Ramaphosa's speech on Thursday, 30 September. 

Ramaphosa eased some restrictions: sales for off-site alcohol consumption open from Monday - Friday, curfew extended by an hour to midnight - 4am and the increase of indoor gatherings to 750 people and 2000 people outdoors. Find the full details here.

Developments in the country's response to the #COVID19 pandemic #StaySafe https://t.co/73LT2SWAWE

— Cyril Ramaphosa ???????? #VoteANC (@CyrilRamaphosa) September 30, 2021

 

THESE ARE THE BASICS TO STAYING SAFE

Here’s how we can stay safe according to the official coronavirus website:

• Wash your hands regularly with soap or an alcohol-based hand sanitiser. It’s still one of the most effective ways to keep the virus at bay.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

• Cover your mouth or nose when you cough or sneeze with a flexed elbow or tissue, then throw the tissue in the bin.

• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

    

HOW SOUTH AFRICA EASES IN AND OUT OF LOCKDOWN

There is a risk-adjusted lockdown strategy in place. There are 5 levels, which will work similarly to loadshedding. These levels are implemented based on the number of new infections and healthcare-system readiness. We are currently under level 2 lockdown. 

For the latest regulation changes that should come with a new level, read our lockdown news update.

 

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