source photo: https://theconversation.com/
By Gloriose Ntirenganya
Covid19 in South Africa
The Covid19 pandemic was declared on 5 March 2020. Minister of Health Zweli Mkhize confirmed the spread of the Corona virus in South Africa with the first known patient of COVID-19. The first patient death was reported on 27 March in that year.
The South Africa Medical research council estimated more than 54 620 deaths from COVID-19 .
Second wave, 3 December 2020 in South Africa
On 9 December, Minister of Health announced that the country had entered the second waves of infections. The country went back into a lockdown to reduce the speed of the second wave.
South Africa moves to lockdown alert level1
South Africa is on an adjusted alert level1 during COVID-19 lockdown regulations as of 1th March 2021 when most normal activity could resume with precautions and health guidelines that should be followed at all times. Population was prepared for an increase in alert levels if necessary for the movement of persons, opening of schools, public transport and opening entertainment.
All persons who were able to work from home had do so. However, persons were permitted to perform any type of work outside the home and to travel to and from work and for work purposes under alert level1.
Protocols instructions were followed as when in a public place, for the purposes of these regulations, one had to wear a face mask. Every person was to be confined to his or her place of residence from 00h00 until 04h00 daily.
The vaccination in South Africa
The South Africa first COVID-19 vaccination campaign was dealt a blow in early February 2021 according South Africa’s health regulator which approved Johnson and Johnson’s COVID-19 Vaccination
The Problems with Johnson and Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine could have implications for South Africa
After the decision of United States of America health officials had called for an immediate pause in use of Johnson & Johnson’s single dose Covid19 vaccine due the fact that six people who received it developed a rare type of blood clot. After discussion between South Africa’s medicines regulator, the health Minister and researches about of this Vaccination in April, South Africa Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize announced that suspension was a temporary and voluntary rollout of Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccine until the causal relationship between the development of clots and J&J is sufficiently examined.
South Africa was using the J&J Vaccine as part of its Sisonke trial rollout which was targeting healthcare workers.
South Africa was preparing for phase 2 of the vaccination rollout programme that started on 17 May 2021. The Government encourages people aged 60 years and older to register.
Now, South Africa is going through the 3rd COVID-19 wave.