#COVID19 |

WHO Names New COVID-19 Omicron

November 27, 2021January 14, 2022 Healthtimes

THE World Health Organisation (WHO) Technical Advisory Group on SARS-CoV-2 Virus Evolution (TAG-VE) has named the new COVID-19 strain that was discovered in South Africa Omicron and a SARS-CoV-2 Variant of Concern. By Fungai Musona The TAG-VE is an independent group of experts that periodically monitors and evaluates the evolution of SARS-CoV-2 and assesses if specific mutations and combinations of mutations alter the behaviour of the virus. The TAG-VE was convened on 26 November 2021 to assess the SARS-CoV-2 variant: B.1.1.529. The B.1.1.529 variant was first reported to WHO from…

Africa CDC Warns Against Knee-Jerk Travel Ban

November 26, 2021 Michael Gwarisa

THE Africa Center for Disease Control (Africa CDC) says there is no science to prove that travel bans work against reducing spread of the coronavirus. By Michael Gwarisa This comes as a reaction to the move by the United Kingdom (UK), Singapore and other countries that have imposed bans on Southern African countries for fear of of the new variant the B.1.1.529 that was detected by South African scientists. In a statement, the Africa CDC said, “Africa CDC strongly discourages the imposition of travel ban for people originating from countries…

Zim Gvt In Schools COVID-19 Vaccination Blitz For 16 To 17 Year Olds

November 23, 2021November 23, 2021 Michael Gwarisa

THE Zimbabwean government has announced a jump in the national COVID-19 vaccination numbers over the past seven days at the back of increased uptake of vaccines in the 16 to 17 years age groups in schools countrywide. By Michael Gwarisa Briefing Journalists during a Post-Cabinet Media Briefing in Harare, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Senator Monica Mutsvangwa said the cumulative number of vaccines administered in the previous week increased significantly following the extension of vaccination towards the 16 to 17 year olds in schools. On the national vaccination programme,…

Health Ministry Dismisses Viral Video Of Woman Claiming She Reacted To Vaccine

November 20, 2021November 21, 2021 Michael Gwarisa

THE Bulawayo Metropolitan Provincial Medical Director (PMD), Dr Maphios Siamuchembu has poured water on a video currently making rounds on social media of a 27 year old woman, Cleopatra Ncube from Cowdry Park in Bulawayo who claims to have developed an adverse reaction that led to her fingers and lower limbs drying up soon after getting jabbed with the Sinovac, a Chinese manufactured vaccine being administered in Zimbabwe. By Michael Gwarisa According to the viral video, Cleopatra took the vaccine on July 27, 2021 when health officials were conducting inoculations…

Texas doctor who promoted ivermectin as COVID treatment suspended from hospital

November 16, 2021 Healthtimes

A doctor was temporarily suspended from a Texas hospital on Friday for promoting anti-parasitic drug ivermectin as a COVID treatment on Twitter. Dr Mary Bowden, an ear, nose throat doctor at Houston Methodist Hospital, had recently joined the staff before she had her privileges revoked. She had posted a series of pro-ivermectin tweets on her social media and also slammed the vaccine mandate. ‘Ivermectin might not be as deadly as everyone said it was,’ she had tweeted on November 10. ‘Speak up!’ The drug ivermectin has not been approved by…

Boost For Zim COVID-19 Fight As Zim Red Cross Receives 35 Oxygen Concentrators That Use Atmospheric Oxygen… No Need for Refills

November 15, 2021November 15, 2021 Michael Gwarisa

THE Zimbabwe Red Cross Society (ZRCS), has received 35 Oxygen Concentrators from the Singapore Red Cross through the International Federation of Red Cross (IFRC) and the Red Crescent Societies that will enhance the country’s capacity to handle oxygen demanding emergencies including COVID-19. By Michael Gwarisa The donation comes ahead of an envisaged 4th Wave of the COVID-19 that many fear could have devastating effects compared to the previous three waves. The 35 Oxygen Concentrators will be installed at the Red Cross Clinic in Harare and will be used in the…

International organizations, vaccine manufacturers take stock of COVID-19 vaccine roll out, share views for 2022

November 10, 2021 Healthtimes

The heads of the International Monetary Fund, World Bank Group, World Health Organization and World Trade Organization held on 9 November the 2nd High-Level Consultations with the CEOs of leading COVID-19 vaccine manufacturing companies. At the meeting, all participants agreed on the urgency of delivering more vaccine doses to low-income countries, where less than 2.5% of the population has been fully vaccinated. The objective of the meeting was to identify how to ensure more equitable distribution of vaccines and all those participating pledged to continue working together to gain greater…

CoronaVirus Has Potential To Cause Infertility: Dr Mangwiro

November 9, 2021November 9, 2021 Healthtimes

THE Deputy Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr John Mangwiro has warned that the Coronavirus has potential to cause infertility in both men and women. By Patricia Mashiri Speaking during a National Aids Council (NAC) HIV/AIDS workshop, the Deputy Minister said people will always say bad things about the vaccines when it’s the virus itself which causes infertility, low sex drive, heart and kidney failure among other things. There are always prophets of doom who talk of COVID-19 vaccines as the ones that causes infertility and loss of libido.…

Zimbabwe Gvt Approves Vaccination Of 16 Year Olds Against COVID-19

November 1, 2021 Michael Gwarisa

THE Zimbabwean government through the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC), has approved the immunization of 16 to 17 years olds with the aim of accelerating the implementation of the national COVID-19 vaccination program. By Michael Gwarisa The developments also come in the midst of indications that the national vaccination coverage has reached 38% against a target of vaccination of at least 60% by 31 December, 2021. In a statement, Health and Child minister, Dr Constantino Chiwenga said the 16-17 years olds will only receive the SINOVAC vaccine. The…

COVID-19 Mu and R.1 Variants: What You Need to Know

November 1, 2021November 1, 2021 Healthtimes

Like Delta and other strains of COVID-19, our tests can detect these so you can make plans to feel better. The more COVID-19 changes, the more the lessons of the pandemic stay the same. As the Delta variant became dominant in the U.S. — and now as Mu and R.1 establish footholds around the world — the same measures that protected us against one protect us against another. So, with people continuing to gather at more public places and events at near full capacity — including schools — here’s what…