#COVID19 |

Seven things to know about COVID-19 variants in Africa

January 30, 2021 Healthtimes

New COVID-19 variants have emerged in Africa as the continent records anew peak in infections. While virus mutations are not unusual, those that are more infectious are worrisome.Professor Francisca Mutapi, Professor in Global Health Infection and Immunity, University of Edinburgh,explains the implications of SARS-CoV-2 variants and what African countries can do to respond. Why do viruses mutate, and should we be worried about SARS-CoV-2 variants? Viruses mutate as they replicate. Replication requires that the virus’s genetic information is copied. But this copying is not accurate. It produces mistakes such as…

#JUSTIN: Lockdown Extended By Another Two Weeks

January 29, 2021January 29, 2021 Michael Gwarisa

ACTING President, Vice President Constantino Chiwenga has announced an extension to the country’s lockdown which was supposed to end on February 5 by another two weeks in a bid to combat the spread of the coronavirus. By Michael Gwarisa He said the move has been necessitated by the presence of new strains to the virus which spread faster and are more lethal than the first strain which was recorded in Wuhan, China. The level 4 lockdown that came into force on January 5, 2020 has stabilized our situation. In relative…

New COVID-19 Variants Fuelling Africa’s Second Wave

January 28, 2021 Healthtimes

COVID-19 cases and deaths are surging in Africa as new, more contagious variants of the virus spread to additional countries. Staff Reporter Over 175 000 new COVID-19 cases and more than 6200 deaths were reported in Africa in the last week while infections rose by 50% on the continent between 29 December 2020 and 25 January 2021 when compared with the previous four weeks. In the past week, there has been a small dip in cases in South Africa, but 22 countries continue to see their case numbers surge. Deaths…

#JUSTINE: ZRP Enforces Tighter Lockdown Measures

January 28, 2021January 28, 2021 Healthtimes

THE Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) have announced more stricter lockdown measures following reports that certain individuals and businesses were now operating in violation of Statutory Instrument 10 of 2021 which barred all non essential service providers to operate during the current Level (IV) of National Lockdown. HealthTimes According to a Memorundum under the subject Tightening Of Enforcements And Issuance Of Business Confirmation And Exemption Letters addressed to addressed to all Officers Commanding Police Districts, Harare, there has been increasing cases of lockdown rules violations by companies and individuals. “Some companies…

#BREAKING: Zimbabwe Government Allows Importation & Investigation Of Human Formulation “IVERMECTIN” To Treat COVID-19

January 27, 2021January 27, 2021 Michael Gwarisa

MINISTRY of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) acting Permanent Secretary, Dr Robert Mudyiradima has written to the Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) giving pharmaceutical companies the green light to import Ivermectin, Nano Silver and other alternative medications for investigations for possible treatment of COVID-19. By Michael Gwarisa In a communique to Mr Richard Rukwata the MCAZ Acting Director, Dr Mudyiradima said the green light had been granted to allow importation of the medicines and use of the drugs will be permitted under strict supervision and guidance. In these difficult…

#JUTSIN: UK Announces Support To Zimbabwe And Other Countries To Identify New COVID-19 Variants

January 26, 2021 Healthtimes

HEALTH Secretary Matt Hancock has announced the United Kingdom’s (UK) support with genomics expertise to help other countries identify new COVID-19 variants comes as researchers at the Quadram Institute outline their work supporting scientists in Zimbabwe. Today’s UK government announcement of the New Variant Assessment Platform will see other countries offered UK laboratory capacity and advice to analyse new strains of coronavirus. In common with many other countries facing the start of the coronavirus pandemic, Zimbabwe recorded its first recorded case of the SARS-CoV-2 in March 2020. Extensive public health…

COVID-19 Won’t Affect Vaginal Ring Rollout In Zimbabwe- Dr Mgodi

January 26, 2021January 26, 2021 Michael Gwarisa

THE prevailing COVID-19 pandemic will not affect rollout of the Dapivirine ring or Vaginal ring, an HIV prevention ring for women, HIV expert and histopathologist who was also the Dapirivirine ring study chairperson in Africa, Dr Nyaradzo Mgodi has said. By Michael Gwarisa Dr Mugodi’s comments come at the back of indications that COVID-19 could have disrupted access to healthcare services and rollout of certain programs across the globe over the past 12 months. In an interview with HealthTimes, Dr Mgodi said the ring has already received its pre-qualification from…

Coronavirus Mutation Causing High False Negative Results In Zim-Lancet

January 26, 2021 Michael Gwarisa

NEW Coronavirus strains being reported worldwide could be the reason why most Laboratories in Zimbabwe have been recording high cases of false negative COVID-19 results of late, a top pathologist has said. By Michael Gwarisa Speaking during a virtual press briefing, Lancet Laboratories Chief Executive Officer, Dr Charlse Muronda said the viruses have changed their genetic makeup , in the process making it difficult for other organisations which have not upgraded their testing equipment to pick the virus during testing procedures. One of the things that have happened with COVID-19…

Zim Doctors Seek Gvt Approval To Use IVERMECTIN & Nano Silver To Treat COVID-19

January 26, 2021 Healthtimes

ZIMBABWEAN doctors who are at the forefront FIGHTING covid-19 have written to the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) seeking permission to use a veterinary injection Ivermectin and Nano Silver to treat COVID-19. HealthTimes Reporter In a letter written to the health ministry permanent secretary Dr Jasper Chimedza by the College of Primary Health Care Physicians of Zimbabwe, they said they have been successfully using Ivermectin in conjunction with nano silver and the treatment registered god results. Due to our constant perusal of the medical evidence we noticed the…

#JUSTIN: Mangwana Apologises To Doctors Fo Labeling Them Assassins

January 25, 2021 Healthtimes

INFORMATION, publicity and broadcasting services permanent secretary, Nick Mangwana has issued to doctors whom he had labelled assassins masquerading as physicians. Staff Reporter I expressed my personal view on an issue a Dr had tweeted on. I had no intention to offend any doctor or call any of them names. Since it has caused such offence, I withdraw it & apologise for any offence caused. I just hope we can move and not be distracted from work at hand.