Wednesday, 24 February, 2021

  • Technology
  • Zweli Mkhize: Astrazeneca vaccines will be distributed by AU to other countries

Zweli Mkhize: Astrazeneca vaccines will be distributed by AU to other countries

Concerned over the detection of various mutant strains the government is looking at increasing the RT-PCR tests in the flights Concerned over the detection of various mutant strains the government is looking at increasing the RT-PCR tests in the flights
Melba Vasquez | 17 February, 2021, 13:10

The AU's disease control body said last week it was not " walking away" from AstraZeneca's vaccine but would target itsuse in countries that have not reported cases of the morecontagious 501Y.V2 variant first identified in South Africa latelast year. All travellers and contacts have been tested and quarantined.

ICMR's apex laboratory National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune, is attempting to isolate and culture the South African variant to understand its way of functioning, transmissibility, and the effect of the vaccine.

The country paused the rollout of AstraZeneca doses thismonth, after preliminary trial data showed they offered minimalprotection against mild to moderate illness from the country'sdominant coronavirus variant.

The ministry said it was "continuously engaging" with the manufacturers of Sputnik V and that it had signed a non-disclosure agreement with China's Sinopharm to receive more information about its vaccine.

United Kingdom researchers found evidence that suggests that variant "may be associated with an increased risk of death compared with other variants", but more study is required, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Both the South African and Brazilian strains have a mutation in the receptor binding domain of the virus, which makes it easier for the virus to bind itself to the lungs. "There is no guarantee that we would not see another surge".

About the SA variant, better known as B.1.351, Bharagava said that its cases were reported in January in four returnees from African countries. The Brazilian strain, which has increased transmissibility, has been found in 15 countries.

Dr V K Paul, Member, NITI Aayog, said the emergence of the two variants was a matter of concern. It is still affecting our population and can raise the number of cases.

And now, the suggestion that its use should be further limited has prompted additional questions in a country that already had one of the highest rates of vaccine skepticism in the world. Hopefully, these variants will not cause a catastrophic situation in the country.

The health authorities are carrying out genetic sequencing on samples of the virus taken from diagnosed patients to detect for either of the variants.

This marks the start of South Africa's new, adjusted vaccine roll-out plan where jabs will be given as part of an implementation study conducted by the South African Medical Research Council and the Department of Health.

World No.1 Ash Barty crashes out of Australian Open

Recommended

loading...
...
  • United Nations slams deadly Iraq rocket attack as 'reckless'

    United Nations slams deadly Iraq rocket attack as 'reckless'

    But Blinken's call for an investigation marks a shift away from that policy under President Joe Biden's new administration. President Joe Biden's inauguration, though now Iran is pressing America to return to Tehran's 2015 nuclear deal.
    Biden administration opens gateway to 25,000 asylum seekers

    Biden administration opens gateway to 25,000 asylum seekers

    The policy which is officially known as Migrant Protection Protocols was introduced in January 2019. It said there are approximately 25,000 active cases still.
    Ontario announces who's next in line for COVID-19 vaccines

    Ontario announces who's next in line for COVID-19 vaccines

    However, he also admitted concerns about the levels of vaccine uptake amongst some communities. The UK has reached its target of first Covid-19 vaccine doses to 15 million of its citizens.
  • Nancy Pelosi Plans ‘Independent 9/11-Type Commission’ to Investigate Capitol Riot

    Nancy Pelosi Plans ‘Independent 9/11-Type Commission’ to Investigate Capitol Riot

    Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana told ABC News there should be a "complete investigation" and Trump "should be held accountable". In a letter to lawmakers, Pelosi, D-Calif., said that an assessment of Congressional security by retired Army Lt.
    New Zealand On Alert As A Family Tests Positive For COVID-19

    New Zealand On Alert As A Family Tests Positive For COVID-19

    The UK varient that the family have is "highly transmissible and a fast-moving chain" which requires fast action, said Ardern. Ardern has been widely praised for her management of the pandemic, with New Zealand recording fewer than 2,000 infections.
    Trump acquitted by Senate in second impeachment trial

    Trump acquitted by Senate in second impeachment trial

    Graham warned on " Fox News Sunday " that this will be used against Republicans as they try to retake control of Congress in 2022. McConnell manoeuvred through Trump's four years in office like a captain steering a ship through a rocky strait on stormy seas.
  • Protests in Myanmar against the Coup Continues

    Protests in Myanmar against the Coup Continues

    Asked about the detention of Nobel prize victor Suu Kyi andthe president, he said the military would abide by theconstitution. It wasn't clear exactly how many students were rounded up, but estimates put the figure at between 20 and 40.
    Snap lockdown due to end soon

    Snap lockdown due to end soon

    Anyone who has visited the first site between 12.15pm and 1.15pm on Tuesday February 9 has been told to isolate and get tested. This woman was filmed leaving the Holiday Inn with a garbage bag over her head.
    Major winter storm keeps trucking across the South

    Major winter storm keeps trucking across the South

    While temperatures are forecast to rise, the weather across the central US will remain extremely cold this week. The outages began as controlled, rolling power cuts but have cascaded into prolonged blackouts in some areas.
  • Democratic congressman sues Trump over role in US Capitol riot

    Democratic congressman sues Trump over role in US Capitol riot

    Trump said McConnell "begged" him for a recent endorsement, which allowed him to win re-election in November, according to Trump. A person familiar with the matter previously told CNN that Trump instructed his staff to stop paying Giuliani's legal fees.
    Charges against 'Central Park Karen' dropped

    Charges against 'Central Park Karen' dropped

    She walks over to him and asks him to stop recording to which he refused. "There is an African-American man, I'm in Central Park". Cooper learned a lot in their sessions together", the prosecutor said during the hearing, according to the Post.
    Missing Dubai princess re-emerges in videos at 'jail villa'

    Missing Dubai princess re-emerges in videos at 'jail villa'

    Kenneth Roth, executive director of advocacy group Human Rights Watch, called on the UAE government to put an end to the case. She talks about not knowing what her fate will be and about being exhausted of living in that place.

World No.1 Ash Barty crashes out of Australian Open World No.1 Ash Barty crashes out of Australian Open Not letting up, Barty broke Muchova for a third time in the opening game of the second set to continue her utter domination. She breezed through the tournament up to this point, and this was the first match she played that went to three sets.

Democratic congressman sues Trump over role in deadly Capitol riot Democratic congressman sues Trump over role in deadly Capitol riot While a majority of the Senate, 57 of the 100 members, voted for conviction, it fell short of the two-thirds majority required. That was an 18-point jump since a similar Politico/Morning Consult poll taken the day after the US Capitol riot on Jan 6.

Myanmar junta cuts off internet, deploys tanks as soldiers fire at protesters Myanmar junta cuts off internet, deploys tanks as soldiers fire at protesters The commission rejected the military's claims of widespread fraud in November's elections, which the NLD won in a landslide. An armoured vehicle rides on a street during a protest against the military coup , in Yangon, Myanmar , February 14, 2021.

Andrew Cuomo Addresses Nursing Home Scandal Andrew Cuomo Addresses Nursing Home Scandal The Governor seems incapable of comprehending that it was his Administration at fault, and nobody else. Under fire over his management of the coronavirus' lethal path through New York's nursing homes, Gov.

List of priority populations for Phase 1 of Ontario's vaccine distribution plan List of priority populations for Phase 1 of Ontario's vaccine distribution plan Indigenous adults in northern, remote and higher-risk communities, including on-reserve and urban communities. Adult recipients of chronic home care.

Trump clears second impeachment trial, vows to fight on Trump clears second impeachment trial, vows to fight on However, Johnson's message has been overshadowed by the newly-elected US President Joe Biden's decreasing faith in American democracy.

COVID-19 Vaccines To Arrive This Week COVID-19 Vaccines To Arrive This Week Earlier in the day, opposition health spokesman Mark Butler criticised the government for not rolling the vaccines out sooner. More than 142,000 doses had arrived at Sydney airport, the government said.

Biden administration to begin admitting migrants forced to wait in Mexico Biden administration to begin admitting migrants forced to wait in Mexico Administration officials declined to name them out of fear they may encourage a rush of people to those locations. He later sought funding from the U.S.

Duke and Duchess of Sussex expecting their second child Duke and Duchess of Sussex expecting their second child The black and white image that has just been released was taken remotely by their friend, photographer Misan Harriman . The Duchess of Sussex said she wrote the article about her own loss to encourage others to talk about it.

Cuomo administration 'froze' over nursing home data requests Cuomo administration 'froze' over nursing home data requests Sue Serino, the ranking member of the Senate Aging Committee said that hiding the deaths of thousands of New Yorkers for political reasons is "Albany's rock bottom".

Peak of major winter blast to begin across most of the country Peak of major winter blast to begin across most of the country This upcoming pattern for the next week is the type where I recommend being sure you have adequate ice melt on hand. Also by Monday morning, a heavy wintry mix will move across Houston into Louisiana and Mississippi.

Ontario reports fewer than 1000 new COVID-19 infections, 42 more deaths Ontario reports fewer than 1000 new COVID-19 infections, 42 more deaths The next update from the Ottawa COVID-19 Testing Taskforce will be released Tuesday, Feb. 16, due to the Family Day holiday. The province has administered more than 467,600 doses of the approved Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines.

Oxford University launches Covid-19 vaccine study on children Oxford University launches Covid-19 vaccine study on children Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Friday expressed gratitude to China for its offer of COVID-19 vaccines. The vaccine priority list also excludes anyone under the age of 16, even the clinically extremely vulnerable.

New Zealand will get first batch of coronavirus vaccines next week New Zealand will get first batch of coronavirus vaccines next week New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announcing the country's approval of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. She says it's a "good, timely reminder too, to everyone, please turn on the Bluetooth function and keep scanning".

Utah's senators explain their votes in Trump's second impeachment trial Utah's senators explain their votes in Trump's second impeachment trial The day of the riot, McConnell railed against "thugs, mobs, or threats" and described the attack as "this failed insurrection". McConnell's speech was an attempt at a political balancing act, DW's Washington bureau chief Ines Pohl said.