New infections in South Africa have risen to record levels in recent days. It's part of a rapid rise across the continent. And experts say the surge here hasn't yet peaked. South Africa has reimposed several restrictions to fight the new wave.
“What a relief!” said Vincent Damon, a 63-year-old electrical technician, after getting his second dose. “In the last four days, I’ve lost four friends. All of them under 60. This pandemic has gotten worse. It’s frightening.”, part of a rapid rise across the continent, and experts say the surge here hasn’t yet peaked.
“Africa has just marked the continent’s most dire pandemic week ever. But the worst is yet to come as the fast-moving third wave continues to gain speed and new ground,” said Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, the World Health Organization’s regional director for Africa. This appeared to be resolved when South Africa’s first delivery of vaccines — 1 million doses of AstraZeneca — arrived in February. Just as the government was to begin administering the shots to front-line health care workers, a small study showed that AstraZeneca provided low protection against the beta variant, which was dominant in South Africa at the time.
A further obstacle came when Health Minister Zweli Mkhize was suspended amid a corruption scandal in which his family members are accused of benefitting from an inflated government contract. Vaccination sites have multiplied from a few dozen to several hundred, and the country soon hopes to be on pace to inoculate two-thirds of its population by the end of February.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
South Africa, Ivory Coast Team Up on First Co-Pro With Sci-Fi Drama ‘Ambre’ (EXCLUSIVE)Known Associates Entertainment, the production company behind the South African adaptation of the Colombian telenovela that inspired “Ugly Betty,” is partnering with Ivory Coast public broadc…
Read more »
Netherlands, South Africa Launch Thuthuka Co-Development FundThe Netherlands and South Africa launched a new co-development fund July 10 in Cannes. The two counties signed a co-production treaty in 2015, and are looking to build on that through stronger coll…
Read more »
In Africa, foreign firms are often disconnected from local onesBy supplying or buying from multinationals, local firms can learn about markets and technology. Such connections are all too rare in Africa, however
Read more »
South African court rejects ex-leader's bid to delay prisonA South African court has rejected former South African President Jacob Zuma’s request to postpone his jail term
Read more »
South Korean toilet turns excrement into power and digital currencyUsing a toilet can pay for your coffee or buy you bananas at a university in South Korea, where human waste is being used to help power a building.
Read more »
South Africa's jailed ex-leader Zuma loses bid to overturn arrestFormer South African President Jacob Zuma lost a court bid on Friday to overturn his arrest for contempt of court, days after turning himself in for a 15-month jail term in a case that has tested the post-Apartheid nation's rule of law.
Read more »