The temporary closure of clinics in Nelson Mandela Bay Metro, whenever a staff member tests positive for COVID-19, has disrupted healthcare services at many of these clinics. Luvuyo Mhelwana spoke to some residents attending local clinics and the health authorities in the district and province.
Timothy Lebelwane of Diepsloot is one of 2 000 people in South Africa participating in a COVID-19 vaccine trial spearheaded by Wits University. Biénne Huisman spoke to him about life as a participant in such an important vaccine trial.
Hunger has increased across the board under South Africa’s COVID-19 lockdown but new evidence points to what experts say is an old phenomenon: adults going hungry for the sake of their children.
By 16 June there were 1 622 COVID-19 infections and 12 deaths recorded in correctional facilities across the country. While some inmates are considered for a special parole to reduce the transmission risk in correctional facilities, over 272 000 arrests for lockdown-related offences were made, triggering a further set of transmission concerns. Elri Voigt reports.
Two large studies reported last week found no evidence that the drug hydroxychloroquine was effective for either the treatment or the prevention of COVID-19. Even so, the World Health Organisation and some South African researchers are not yet giving up on the drug. Adele Baleta reports.
This is issue 6 of COVID-19 Report. We point you to the latest quality science on the pandemic. Are schools safe? Hydroxychloroquine does not prevent COVID-19 and much more can be found in this issue.
Nobude Ngqola is 82 years old and lives in a leaking shack with her eight children. She has been terrified to leave her shack ever since she heard about COVID-19. Siyabonga Kamnqa visited her to talk about life under lockdown, her COVID-19 fears as an older person and her hopes that a house will improve her situation.
Many types of surgery are being delayed in South African hospitals. HIV and TB testing rates are down. Kathryn Cleary investigates the impact the COVID-19 pandemic is having on ‘normal’ healthcare in South Africa.
A residential facility for older persons in the Western Cape this week recorded a COVID-19 related death, while a number of new infections were reported at another facility in the province. Elri Voigt asks whether everything is in place to protect our older persons from the expected surge in COVID-19 cases.
Most of the COVID-19 numbers we have paint only part of the picture and can easily be misinterpreted. Here are some tips on understanding the numbers.
On the Eastern Cape’s Wild Coast community members and organisations are working together to prepare and protect against COVID-19. Spotlight spoke with people from four different villages to learn more.
Regulations have been published setting out how things will work under South Africa’s 21-day COVID-19 lockdown. Here we answer some of the top questions on what people in the country may or may not do in this time.