Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Uganda Virus Research Institute has sent four suspected samples of monkeypox to South Africa. The samples were picked from suspected patients in Kampala who presented with some symptoms of the disease like headaches and rashes. Monkeypox is a viral disease caused by the orthopoxvirus. It …
Read More »AU announces fund to support South Africa following devastating floods
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia | Xinhua | The chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission has announced a solidarity fund to support South Africa following recent devastating floods there. Moussa Faki Mahamat expressed “his full solidarity and renewed his sincere condolences” to the affected families, the government and people of South Africa …
Read More »Vaccine manufacture in Africa
How drug industry is undermining WHO plans | TIMOTHY HUZAR | Since June 2021, the WHO has been coordinating a messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) vaccine technology transfer hub in South Africa. The hub is important because it will increase the availability of mRNA vaccines, including those for COVID-19, in Africa, …
Read More »Victims of Hima cement factory fire evacuated to South Africa for treatment
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Two victims of the recent Hima cement factory fire incident have been evacuated to South Africa for specialized treatment following their deteriorating condition. Last Saturday, a fire broke out at the Kasese plant killing three of the employees and leaving six others severely injured. Five of …
Read More »UN chief mourns death of Archbishop Tutu of South Africa
United Nations | Xinhua | UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Sunday mourned the death of Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa, calling him a towering world figure for peace. “I was greatly saddened to learn of the passing of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, an unwavering voice for the voiceless,” said Guterres in …
Read More »Archbishop Desmond Tutu dies at 90
Johannesburg, South Africa | THE INDEPENDENT | Anti-apartheid icon Archbishop Desmond Tutu has died at 90. The Nobel Peace Prize laureate died in Cape Town, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa announced in a statement on Sunday. Alongside late Nelson Mandela, Tutu was a leading voice against white minority rule …
Read More »Uganda Airlines overwhelmed by passenger baggage
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Uganda Airlines says it’s is currently overwhelmed and having challenges in carrying passenger baggage from Johannesburg, South Africa. The Airline says as a result, there have been delays in delivering check-in baggage for all passengers on board. In a press statement issued on December 6, …
Read More »Netherlands reports 13 cases of Omicron variant
Omicron (B.1.1.529): SARS-CoV-2 Variant of Concern The Hague, Netherlands | Xinhua | The Dutch health authority said Sunday that it has found 13 cases of the new Omicron coronavirus variant among passengers on flights from South Africa. The cases were identified among 61 passengers who tested positive for coronavirus, the National Institute …
Read More »U.S. scrambles to take actions over Omicron variant’s chilling effect
United States imposed travel restrictions on southern African countries New York, U.S. | Xinhua | The newly-discovered Omicron variant of COVID-19 in South Africa has raised fears about the global trajectory of the pandemic, while some countries including the United States have raced to impose travel restrictions on southern African countries. …
Read More »SARS-CoV-2 variant B.1.1.529 named Omicron, designated “Variant of Concern”: WHO
Omicron (B.1.1.529): SARS-CoV-2 Variant of Concern Geneva, Switzerland | Xinhua | The World Health Organization (WHO) classified on Friday the latest variant B.1.1.529 of SARS-CoV-2, which was first reported from South Africa, as a “Variant of Concern” (VOC), and asked countries to enhance surveillance and sequencing efforts. South Africa has seen …
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