Covid-19 update: Western Cape plans for its own vaccine supplies
The DA-led Western Cape government has decided to push ahead with plans to acquire its own stock of Covid-19 vaccines. Briefly.co.za explores the latest updates on the pandemic in South Africa.
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Amid concerns over South Africa's plan to acquire Covid-19 vaccines, the Western Cape government has opted not to leave it to chance.
The province has formulated plans to acquire its own stock of Covid-19 vaccine doses.
Briefly.co.za explores the latest updates on the pandemic below:
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1. Western Cape's vaccine plan
Western Cape Health MEC Nomafrench Mbombo has briefed Parliament's health portfolio committee on the province's plans to secure doses of the Covid-19 vaccine.
Mbombo confirmed that Premier Alan Winde has been engaging with suppliers and stakeholders in a bid to ensure the province is prepared, continuing to say that:
“We know for sure there will be a time where there might be extra need to expand beyond some of the priorities the nation has provided for and therefore it is crucial we do that."
This lesson explained Mbombo, was learnt during the struggle against TB and ARV medication:
“If something happens in regard to challenges we always make it a point that we have a plan B and that is crucial."
2. Mkhize on latest statistics
Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize has once again updated South Africans on the Covid-19 pandemic in the country.
In a statement released by the Department of Health on Wednesday evening, Mkhize confirmed that:
"As of today the cumulative number of COVID-19 cases identified on South Africa is 1 278 303."
In addition to the newly confirmed infections, Mkhize had noted over 800 fatalities:
"Regrettably, we report 806 new COVID-19 related deaths: Eastern Cape 150, Free State 24, Gauteng 211, Kwa-Zulu Natal 235, Limpopo 14, Mpumalanga 14, Northern Cape 7 and Western Cape 151. This brings the total deaths to 35 140 deaths."
Earlier, Briefly.co.za reported that banks and financial institutions are now required to provide hand sanitiser at their premises and also at the locations of ATMs.
Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, Minister of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs announced that the government had identified ATMs as being 'super-spreaders' of Covid-19 because of people waiting in long queues to draw money.
The announcement noted that there was not enough sanitisation at ATMs and financial institutions must now equip ATMs with sanitiser.
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Source: Briefly News
