Eyewitness News
  • Eyewitness News
  • Search
  • Latest
  • Local
  • Elections
  • Coronavirus
  • Politics
  • Opinion
  • Business
  • Lifestyle
  • Sport
  • Video
  • Podcasts
Go
A team at the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) shows us how the long process of testing sewage samples begins. They aren’t looking for a live coronavirus, but are searching for RNA, a nucleic acid similar to DNA. Picture: Zukile Daniel/Eyewitness News.

Samrc

Delta variant widespread in parts of WC’s sewage plants, scientists say

By Kevin Brandt

Biomedical researchers from the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) analysed wastewater samples from various towns in the province and detected the...

  • FILE: Two men enjoy some beers at a streetside bar in the city centre in Cape Town, on 18 August 2020 after South Africa moved to level 2 of the coronvirus lockdown. Picture: AFP

    Govt urged to tighten regulations on alcohol sales amid COVID-19 second wave

    With hospitals groaning under the weight of COVID-19 cases, health authorities are stressing avoidable alcohol-related trauma is putting undue strain on the system.

    509 days ago
  • FILE: Distributors prepare to send out beer after the ban on alcohol sales was lifted with the country moving to lockdown level 2 on 18 August 2020. Picture: Veronica Mokhoali/Eyewitness News

    Lobby group calls for tougher restrictions on festive season booze sales

    Saapa, which is comprised of about 20 civil rights groups, held a press briefing on Wednesday calling for tighter measures around alcohol consumption to be put in place.

    535 days ago
  • FILE: A Doctors Without Border (MSF) nurse (C) performs a COVID-19 coronavirus test during a Ministry of Health screening and testing drive in the Wolhuter men's hostel in Jeppestown district of Johannesburg, on 14 May 2020. Picture: AFP

    Good immune responses to COVID-19 will benefit whole country - SAMRC's Gray

    On Wednesday evening, President Cyril Ramaphosa said the country now had better capacity to increase testing for the coronavirus.

    611 days ago
  • FILE: A professional healthcare worker wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) treats a patient in a tent dedicated to the treatment of possible COVID-19 coronavirus patients, while another cleans the ward at the Tshwane District Hospital in Pretoria on 10 July 2020. Picture: AFP

    Men, older persons & diabetics most at risk of dying from COVID-19, study finds

    That is one of the findings of a local population cohort study probing risk factors for COVID-19 deaths in Sub-Saharan Africa.

    620 days ago
  • FILE: At least 8 people were killed in a multi-vehicle accident in Jozini in northern KwaZulu-Natal on 10 June 2020. Picture: Twitter @_arrivealive

    Drunk driving accounts for 27.1% of fatal crashes in SA, report finds

    The research was conducted by the RTMC in collaboration with the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), and the University of South Africa (Unisa).

    639 days ago
  • Maitland Cemetery in Cape Town where a section has been demarcated for COVID-19 deaths. Picture: Kaylynn Palm/EWN

    FACT CHECK: SA COVID-19 death rate among the lowest, but not the world’s lowest

    How deadly has COVID-19 been in South Africa? Is the country’s death rate really the world’s lowest? Africa Check takes a look.

    655 days ago
  • © nenovbrothers/123rf.com

    SAMRC: Ban on sale of liquor could be lifted in 1 to 2 weeks’ time

    Two council experts have analysed data, which shows the anticipated pressure on hospital resources due to a surge in COVID-19 infections hasn't materialised at least for now.

    655 days ago
  • © lapandr/123rf.com

    Liquor industry says govt should prepare to lift ban on sale of alcohol

    The sector has welcomed suggestions from the council that the prohibition should be stopped because there is no severe pressure on hospital beds set aside to treat COVID-19 patients.

    657 days ago
  • FILE: Customers queue outside the Ultra Liquors in Wynberg, Cape Town following the relaxation of alcohol sale restrictions on 1 June 2020. Picture: Kaylynn Palm/EWN

    MRC wants legal drinking age in SA to be raised & liquor prices hiked

    The South African Medical Research Council is advocating raising the legal drinking age from 18 years to 19 or 21, as well as higher prices and taxes on alcohol.

    675 days ago
  • © feverpitched/123rf.com

    Wits University begins SA’s first COVID-19 vaccine trial

    The institution said 2,000 people between the ages of 18 and 65 would be enrolled for the trial, which was expected to be run at multiple sites in South Africa.

    697 days ago
  • FILE: Medical swabs to test for the coronavirus. Picture: Eyewitness News.

    SAMRC to finalise process of reviewing COVID-19 testing innovations

    The council has received around thirty applications from innovators for the development of local diagnostics and reagents.

    717 days ago
  • Professor Glenda Gray. Picture: mrc.co.za

    SAMRC: Apology to Health Dept has nothing to do with Gray’s comments

    On Tuesday, the council released a statement apologising to the department, following a public row between the SAMRC's Glenda Gray and Health Minister Zweli Mkhize.

    724 days ago
  • FILE: Scientists based in Switzerland and the United States had previously isolated the antibodies from the patient in 2003, following the Sars outbreak that killed 774 people. Picture: 123rf.

    Antibody in coronavirus patient discovered, but what could this mean?

    In another potential breakthrough in the search for treatment, an antibody from a patient who recovered from the severe acute respiratory syndrome or Sars has been shown to block COVID-19 infection in a laboratory setting.

    732 days ago
  • Picture: pixabay.com

    Africa gets first genome sequencing facility

    Construction at the African Genomics Centre is underway and is expected to be completed in June.

    1557 days ago
  • Candles form a red ribbon during World Aids Day. Picture: AFP.

    Public urged to volunteer to test new HIV vaccine

    The SAMRC aims to create an HIV vaccine that caters for the South African conditions and environment.

    2025 days ago
  • «
  • 1
  • »

Trending on EWN

Picture: Pixabay

  1. PowerBall results: Friday, 20 May 2022
  2. Disney+ is here: 5 things you need to know before subscribing
  3. Eskom has revised load shedding to Stage 4 following the start of a cold snap
  4. Cold weather sets in as parts of South Africa experience first winter snowfall
  5. DIRCO dismisses reports that government is repatriating ex-ISIS fighters to SA
Tweets by @ewnreporter

On Air


Latest bulletin

Latest traffic report

Contributors

  • Rafiq Wagiet
    Rafiq Wagiet
    Cold snap across the country likely to exacerbate the loadshedding situation
  • Mihlali Ntsabo
    Mihlali Ntsabo
    Cold snap across the country likely to exacerbate the loadshedding situation
  • Ray White
    Ray White
    S&P Global decision to revise SA's credit rating outlook to positive is welcomed
  • Palesa Manaleng
    Palesa Manaleng
    Isipaji sika Simphiwe Dana: A journey of healing and finding peace
  • Keegan  Leech
    Keegan Leech
    AFRICA CHECK: Explaining proposed amendments to South Africa’s health law

Let the news come to you. Subscribe to our daily newsletter.

Eyewitness News
  • Local
  • World
  • Politics
  • Sport
  • Business
  • Lifestyle
  • Opinion
  • Features
  • Video
  • Audio
  • Infographics
  • EWN Apps
  • EWN popup
  • Breaking News Alerts
  • Traffic
  • Newsletter Signups
  • RSS Feeds
  • Contact
  • Find us on Facebook
  • Follow us on Twitter
  • Follow us on Instagram
  • Comments Policy
COPYRIGHT 2022 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED | Terms & Conditions | Privacy | PAIA

Choose an EWN Twitter account

Follow @ewnreporter

Follow @ewnupdates

Follow @ewnsport

Follow @ewntraffic

Choose an EWN app

iOS

Android