Coronavirus update: 23 Norwegians die after 1st dose of vaccine
Numerous deaths have been reported after patients received their first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine. Briefly.co.za explores the latest updates on the pandemic.
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Concerns over the swiftly produced Covid-19 vaccines have been front and centre after a number of nations kick-started mass campaigns.
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Recent reports have indicated that a number of fatalities have been recorded after patients received their first doses.
Briefly.co.za explores the latest updates on the pandemic below:
1. Norway records over 20 vaccine-related deaths
A total of 23 people have died in Norway within days of receiving their first doses of the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine.
New York Post reports that 13 of the fatalities had been nursing home patients that passed away allegedly due to side effects of the shots.
Reactions to the vaccine include fever and nausea which might have contributed to the fatalities explained Sigurd Hortemo, chief physician at the Norwegian Medicines Agency.
Over 30 000 Norwegian citizens have received their first doses of the vaccine since late December.
Despite the fatalities, experts aren't alarmed citing that the vaccines have very little risk with the exception of frail patients.
2. Mkhize on Covid-19 statistics
Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize has once again updated South Africans on the latest Covid-19 statistics.
In a statement issued by the Department of Health on Friday evening, the Minister commented that:
"As of today the cumulative number of COVID-19 cases identified on South Africa is 1 311 686."
In addition to the latest infections, Mkhize also confirmed the number of fatalities recorded:
"Regrettably, we report 615 more COVID-19 related deaths: Eastern Cape 100, Free State 41, Gauteng 99 , Kwa-Zulu Natal 189, Mpumalanga 16, Northern Cape 9 and Western Cape 161. This brings the total deaths to 36 467."
Earlier, Briefly.co.za reported that Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga has confirmed that the reopening of schools has been postponed.
In a media briefing on Friday morning, the Minister announced that the date has been postponed to February 15.
Commenting on the decision Deputy Basic Education Minister Reginah Mhaule explained that:
“Given the pressure experienced by the health system in the past few weeks, occasioned by increased Covid-19 infections which has led to the second wave, the council of education ministers in conjunction with the national coronavirus command council and cabinet has taken the decision to delay the reopening of both public and private schools by two weeks."
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Source: Briefly News
