NATIONAL NEWS - As of yesterday, 15 April, the total number of Covid-19 cases for South Africa is 1 562 931 with 10 259 664 tests conducted.
The Department of Health (DOH) reports 73 more Covid-19 related deaths:
13 in the Eastern Cape
6 in the Free State
16 in Gauteng
20 in KwaZulu Natal
8 in Limpopo
4 in Mpumalanga
1 in the Northern Cape
5 in the Western Cape
This brings the total number of Covid-19 related deaths to 53 571. The total recoveries from Covid-19 now stand at 1 488 060, representing a recovery rate of 95%.
Temporary suspension of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine
This week the Food and Drug Administration in the United States of America advised the temporary suspension of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine rollout in the US. This was due to reports of six females who developed unusual blood clots with low platelets. These incidents occurred between six and 13 days after vaccination in women between the ages of 18 and 48 years old.
The Department of Health has decided to voluntarily suspend South Africa’s rollout of this vaccine until the relationship between the development of clots and the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is su?ciently investigated.
Extension of the national state of disaster
Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, has extended South Africa’s State of Disaster to 15 May 2021. The extension takes into account the need to continue augmenting the existing legislation and contingency arrangements undertaken by organs of state to mitigate against the impact of the disaster on lives and livelihoods.
Vaccine registration for people over 60
Despite the setback caused by the temporary suspension of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, it has been announced that vaccine registration for people over 60 is expected to open today, 16 April at 4pm, as South Africa prepares for the second phase of the vaccine rollout.
Those who qualify for this phase will be able to enrol on the Electronic Vaccination Data System (EVDS) by clicking here.
Information submitted during registration will be used to:
Identify eligible vaccination beneficiaries
Plan supply of vaccines and ancillary items
Allocate beneficiaries to their nearest available service point
Communicate with enrolled individuals about the vaccination program, including but not limited to:
eligibility
where they will be vaccinated
follow-up vaccination appointments.
What is needed to register
Access to the internet on any device (cellphone, laptop, tablet, desktop etc.)
Your ID or passport number (non-RSA), general contact information (your cellphone number will be used as the primary mode of communication).
Information about your employment (primary employer and location of work)
Where relevant, your professional registration details, and medical aid are also requested.
With all information at hand, registration should take approximately 2—3 minutes (three steps)
