New coronavirus variant could be problematic for vaccines, a second study in two days suggests
From CNN s Senior Medical Correspondent Elizabeth Cohen
As researchers around the world race to see if new coronavirus variants will pose a problem for the vaccines, a second study in two days says a variant from South Africa could possibly do just that.
The variant was first spotted in South Africa in October and has now been found in more than a dozen countries.
In both studies, the work was done in the lab and not in people, so more research is needed to gauge the true threat of the new variant.
“Minister Mthembu was an exemplary leader, an activist and life-long champion of freedom and democracy. He was a much loved and greatly respected colleague and comrade, shows passing leaves our nation at a loss.”
Mthembu (62) had tested positive on 11 January, according to a government statement. After complaining of stomach pains, he was admitted to hospital. His passing on Thursday has come as a shock and surprise.
“Comrade Jackson died with his boots on,” said ANC Deputy Secretary-General Jessie Duarte in a hastily called briefing that underscores Mthembu’s standing in the governing party.
Mthembu’s life and career are intrinsically embedded in the ANC, and also the United Democratic Front (UDF) from his student days in the 1970s.
Mapisa-Nqakula a ministerial COVID-19 vaccination committee member
Written by defenceWeb -
Defence and Military Veterans Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula.
In addition to being a National Coronavirus Command Council (NCCC) member, Defence and Military Veterans Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula has been appointed to the inter-ministerial committee (IMC) on vaccination, the newest weapon in government’s arsenal against the war on COVID-19.
She and 13 other Cabinet ministers will, under the leadership of deputy president David Mabuza, “receive reports and intervene in challenges that may be encountered during implementation” of the national vaccine roll-out, according to as GCIS (Government Communication and Information System) statement issued after Tuesday’s (19 January’s) special Cabinet meeting. The meeting was called to discuss an NCCC progress report.
It is still bans, curfews and permits. Livelihoods, not so much.
The silence on economic and social relief measures was resounding in President Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement on Monday of the new permutation of the lockdown. That silence was widely noted, and Cosatu called for more action.
“The government needs to realise that the Covid-19 pandemic is not only a health tragedy, but also an economic one and therefore must be fought on both fronts. Lives and livelihoods must be saved in equal measure,” said Cosatu in a statement that also pointed out that the complete absence of economic and social relief measures for lockdown-affected workers and businesses was “callous”.