Coronavirus
WHO, US health authorities tracking new COVID-19 variant
The WHO classified the new variant, BA.2.86, as one under surveillance 'due to the large number (more than 30) of spike gene mutations it carries', it wrote in...
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SA has no reason to be concerned about new COVID-19 sub-variant - De Oliveira
The national Health Department on Wednesday confirmed the first case of the new COVID-19 sub-variant EG.5 or Eris. Officials said it was found in a sample taken from a patient in Gauteng.
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With new COVID variant, South Africans should prioritise hygiene again - Sama
The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared a new COVID-19 variant which it says is likely to cause a spike in infections, but not increased severity.
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Hundreds of millions of life years lost to pandemic: WHO
The WHO report lays bare how the virus itself and the broader impact of the crisis abruptly cut short the lives of millions of people.
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COVID no longer a global health emergency: WHO
Worldwide, the disease had as of 3 May officially claimed more than 6.9 million lives, and sickened more than 765 million others, according to WHO, which has said the true figures are likely far higher.
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Biden ends US COVID-19 emergency status
The White House said Biden signed a law passed earlier by Congress "which terminates the national emergency related to the COVID-19 pandemic."
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US agency says COVID likely emerged from China lab leak: reports
The coronavirus pandemic likely arose from a Chinese laboratory leak, the US Department of Energy now says according to media, although the White House maintained Sunday that American intelligence remained divided on the issue.
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'Not afraid of the virus': Wuhan turns page on COVID, three years on
Residents of China's Wuhan said Monday they were hopeful for the future and no longer afraid of COVID-19, three years after the city was locked down over what was then a mysterious virus.
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WHO seeks more China COVID data, praises US 'transparency'
The World Health Organization has repeatedly voiced concern that China's official statistics are not showing the true impact of its current surge in COVID cases.
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NICD: No need to amend SA's COVID-19 response after subvariant detected
The NICD said more than 650 sublineages of Omicron have been identified, of which more than 200 have been detected in South Africa.
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Health Dept finalising details for COVID-19 booster shot
Health Minister Joe Phaahla said that the ministerial advisory committee on COVID-19 vaccines would soon announce when more people could line up for their booster shots.
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Health Dept instructs provinces to increase COVID testing
Health Minister Joe Phaahla stressed that immunisation against the disease remained the best form of protection.
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National Coronavirus Council to meet over new Covid-19 subvariant
The highly transmissible XBB.1.5. subvariant was detected in the Western Cape last week.
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WC health department closely monitoring new Covid variant
The variant has been named "Kraken", due to its ability to spread so far, after being detected in 28 countries.
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XBB.1.5 COVID-19 variant - 'Kraken' - not of concern, says De Oliveira
Head of the KwaZulu-Natal Research Innovation and Sequencing Platform (Krisp), Tulio de Oliveira, said that he did not think that the new COVID-19 variant would cause much disruption in South Africa.
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China stats 'under-represent' true impact of COVID-19 outbreak - WHO
There is growing concern over China's steep rise in Covid infections since Beijing abruptly lifted years of hard-line restrictions in December, with hospitals and crematoriums quickly overwhelmed.
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Oil prices dive, Europe gas price hits lowest level since 2021
Crude prices extended losses from a day earlier, diving around five percent over concern about demand in the world's biggest oil importer China as it sees a steep rise in COVID infections in the country.
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Up to 70% of Shanghai population infected with COVID: top doctor
The steep rise in infections came after years of hardline restrictions were abruptly loosened last month with little warning or preparation, and quickly overwhelmed hospitals and crematoriums.
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No need to impose COVID requirements on Chinese travellers yet - Health Dept
China has found itself under the spotlight recently after the country dropped COVID restrictions, triggering a slew of new infections.
