Covid19 Regional Update 19 April 2021

Image: “Minister Fikile Mbalula inspects Rea-Vaya buses and stations as part of Coronavirus Covid-19 safety measures” by GovernmentZA is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0

General

U.S. pause on Johnson & Johnson vaccine could be felt the most in poor countries

Source: https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2021-04-17/u-s-pause-on-johnson-johnson

International update: Vaccine discussions continue as global Covid infections approach 140 million

Source: https://www.pharmaceutical-technology.com/special-focus/covid-19/international-update-vaccine-discussions-continue-as-global-covid-infections-approach-140-million/

U.S. will allocate $1.7 billion to fight variants as new global infections almost double

Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2021/04/16/coronavirus-covid-live-updates-us/

Fauci says US ‘precarious’; South Africa registers 1,089 new cases

Source: https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2021-04-18-fauci-says-us-precarious-south-africa-registers-1089-new-cases/

Southern Africa Focus

South Africa

South Africa regulator recommends lifting pause on J&J vaccine

Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/4/18/s-africa-regulator-recommends-lifting-pause-on-jj-vaccine

Covid-19: The latest science and developments on vaccines

Source: https://www.news24.com/health24/medical/infectious-diseases/coronavirus/covid-19-the-latest-science-and-developments-on-vaccines-20210419-5

Covid-19: 1 089 new cases and 25 new deaths recorded in South Africa

Source: https://www.news24.com/news24/southafrica/news/covid-19-1-089-new-cases-and-25-new-deaths-recorded-in-south-africa-20210419

Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe prisoners released amid overcrowding during Covid-19 pandemic

Source: https://www.africanews.com/2021/04/17/zimbabwe-prisoners-released-amid-overcrowding-during-covid-19-pandemic/

Zimbabwe to strengthen measures to curb COVID-19 transmissions during Easter holidays

Source: http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/africa/2021-03/24/c_139831907.htm

Zimbabweans will get electronic Covid-19 cards to prove they are vaccinated

Source: https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/africa/2021-03-29-zimbabweans-will-get-electronic-covid-19-cards-to-prove-they-are-vaccinated/

Malawi

Malawi Expands Eligibility for COVID Vaccine as Doses Near Expiration

Source: https://www.voanews.com/covid-19-pandemic/malawi-expands-eligibility-covid-vaccine-doses-near-expiration

Empowering Malawian communities to protect their vulnerable against Covid-19 and its effects, Pilot project implementation report Mwambo Chiefdom.

Source: https://reliefweb.int/report/malawi/empowering-malawian-communities-protect-their-vulnerable-against-covid-19-and-its

Malawi president warns against complacency as COVID-19 test positivity rate drops

Source: https://africa.cgtn.com/2021/03/29/malawi-president-warns-against-complacency-as-covid-19-test-positivity-rate-drops/

Eswatini

COVID Pandemic Has Big Effect in Small Nation of eSwatini

Source: https://www.voanews.com/covid-19-pandemic/covid-pandemic-has-big-effect-small-nation-eswatini

Eswatini begins COVID-19 vaccination ahead of Easter

Source; https://www.aa.com.tr/en/africa/eswatini-begins-covid-19-vaccination-ahead-of-easter/2194269