Dec 22 South Africa's decline in new COVID-19 cases may indicate omicron peak has passed By Andrew Meldrum, Associated Press Although the early findings are not conclusive, especially because daily figures are prone to fluctuations, the signs that South Africa’s intense wave is weakening are notable. Continue reading
Dec 14 Data analysis shows omicron variant less severe, better at evading vaccines By Andrew Meldrum, Associated Press While the findings released Tuesday are preliminary and have not been peer-reviewed — the gold standard in scientific research — they line up with other early data about omicron's behavior, including that it seems to be more easily transmitted. Continue reading
Dec 12 South African president tests positive for COVID, mildly ill By Andrew Meldrum, Associated Press Last week, Ramaphosa visited four West African countries. He and all members of his delegation were tested for COVID-19 in each of the countries during the trip. Some in the delegation tested positive in Nigeria and returned directly to South… Continue reading
Dec 05 Fauci says early reports encouraging about omicron variant By Gene Johnson, Associated Press “Thus far, it does not look like there’s a great degree of severity to it,” Fauci said. “But we have really got to be careful before we make any determinations that it is less severe or it really doesn’t cause… Continue reading
Dec 02 Travel bans punish countries for doing necessary work to end the pandemic, South Africa epidemiologist says By Kenichi Serino When omicron, a new variant of Covid-19, was discovered by South African scientists, the United States moved quickly to implement a travel ban against the country, a move the country's leading epidemiologist has called "outrageous" and "an overreaction."… Continue reading
Nov 28 WHO criticizes travel bans on southern African countries By Andrew Meldrum, Associated Press The World Health Organization on Sunday urged countries around the world not to impose flight bans on southern African nations due to concerns over the new omicron variant. WHO’s regional director for Africa, Matshidiso Moeti, called on countries to follow… Continue reading
Nov 27 South African scientists brace for wave propelled by omicron By Andrew Meldrum, Associated Press In the space of two weeks, the omicron variant has sent South Africa from a period of low transmission to rapid growth of new confirmed cases. The country’s numbers are still relatively low, with 2,828 new confirmed cases recorded Friday,… Continue reading
Nov 26 Watch 9:42 Alarm grows after emergence of new omicron COVID-19 variant. Here's what you need to know A newly emerged variant of the coronavirus known as “omicron” is causing widespread concern. First discovered in South Africa, it's now been detected in multiple nations, including Europe and Israel. Many nations including the U.S. are considering travel bans to… Continue watching
Nov 26 AP explains: What we know so far about the new COVID variant in South Africa By Maria Cheng, Associated Press South African scientists identified a new version of the coronavirus this week that they say is behind a recent spike in COVID-19 infections in Gauteng, the country's most populous province. Continue reading
Nov 11 South Africa's last apartheid president, F.W. de Klerk, dies By Andrew Meldrum, Cara Anna, Associated Press F.W. de Klerk, who shared the Nobel Peace Prize with Nelson Mandela and as South Africa's last apartheid president oversaw the end of the country's white minority rule, has died at the age of 85. Continue reading