Regional COVID-19 updates – 16 November 2020
General:
When will a COVID-19 vaccine be available for Africa?
Source: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p08xxj7g
Moderna Inc. said its Covid-19 vaccine was 94.5% effective in a preliminary analysis of a large late-stage clinical trial.
Source: https://businesstech.co.za/news/trending/448911/new-trial-shows-covid-19-vaccine-is-94-5-effective/
South Africa:
Statement by the Minister of Home Affairs regarding the reopening of borders and services during Alert Level 1
Forgotten people: Refugees who were moved to a camp outside Cape Town months ago feel abandoned
This past week, President Cyril Ramaphosa lifted all international travel bans and restored liquor trading hours, Nelson Mandela Bay has become the new Covid-19 hotspot, and South Africa is yet to secure access to a promising new coronavirus vaccine
How Covid-19 has shifted in South Africa over the last two weeks: Mkhize
Zimbabwe:
Zimbabwe: Water Shortage Risks New Covid-19 Infections
Source: https://allafrica.com/stories/202011160292.html
Health Minister and State Vice President, Constantino Chiwenga has expressed concern over the increase in the number of people who no longer practice World Health Organisation (WHO) recommended Covid-19 preventive measures.
Source: https://allafrica.com/stories/202011140143.html
Zambia:
Zambia missed an overdue coupon payment of $42.5-million on one of its eurobonds on Friday, leaving it on the brink of default and making it Africa’s first casualty in the Covid-19 era.
Malawi:
Human trafficking in Malawi has continued, despite the restriction on travel posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Source: https://news.un.org/en/story/2020/11/1077362
Malawi’s national COVID-19 restrictions are difficult to implement.
Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2020-11-difficult-national-coronavirus-restrictions-malawi.html
Botswana:
Covid-19 presents economic opportunities for the private sector in Botswana
Source: https://allafrica.com/stories/202011100145.html
Mozambique:
The Mozambican health authorities on 11 November announced a further five deaths from the Covid-19 respiratory disease – the largest number of deaths reported so far in a single 24 hour period, and which pushes the total death toll beyond the symbolic figure of 100.