WeeklySA_AdminNEW COVID-19 SURGE
New reported cases of COVID-19 have increased nearly 30 percent over the past two weeks, World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned yesterday. He said four out of six of the WHO sub-regions saw cases increase in the last week, adding that, in Europe and America, BA.4 and BA.5 viruses were driving waves. In addition, a new sub lineage of Omicron called BA.2.75 has also been detected, which the WHO was following closely, the world health body boss said.
“Compounding the challenge are a number of factors: First, testing has reduced dramatically in many countries. This obscures the true picture of an evolving virus and the real burden of COVID-19 disease globally. It also means that treatments are not given early enough to prevent serious illness and death.
“Second, new treatments, especially promising new oral antivirals, are still not reaching low- and low-middle income countries, depriving whole populations that need them. Third, as the virus evolves, vaccines protection – while still really effective at preventing serious disease and death – does wane. Decreasing immunity underscores the importance of boosters, especially for the most at-risk. Fourth, each wave of the virus leaves more people with a post-COVID condition, often referred to as long-COVID.” Ghebreyesus said.
He warned that health systems are strained, and economies and societies were being disrupted, advising that essential steps to be taken included: vaccination was important to boost those at most risk. This includes older people, people with chronic illnesses, the immunocompromised and health workers. In addition, countries to make new oral antivirals and other treatments available to all. – WSAM Reporter
PETROL THIEVES DRILL CARS
Incidents involving attempts by thieves to steal fuel by drilling into a petrol tank or siphoning it out of the tank are on the increase, says Wahl Bartmann, the chief executive officer of the Fidelity Services Group. Bartmann told news website Businesstech that with the price of petrol continuing to rise, thieves were leaving no stone unturned to get the precious commodity – hence several reported incidents of this kind of theft across the country in recent weeks. “If you are fortunate enough to have access to your own off-street or secure parking, you should always make use of it and the protection it offers. Putting your car out of sight or behind a locked door can make it less attractive to any would-be fuel thief,” Bartmann said.
He added that motorists should make sure they have the necessary sensors to pick up unauthorised movements in a garage or parking lot, and should check all gates and locks. – Businesstech
INKOSI NDEVU PASSING MOURNED
Deputy President David Mabuza has sent condolences on the passing of Inkosi Xolile Ndevu of Imiganu of Elliotdale. Inkosi Ndevu passed away at the Life Saint Mary’s Private Hospital in Mthatha on Tuesday after a short illness, according to media reports. He had been recently elected as the chairperson of the Amathole Local House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders and was also a member of the National House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders.
“The passing of Inkosi Ndevu is a significant loss to the traditional leaders’ sector. Inkosi Ndevu was a true leader of the people, and actively served in the structures of the Traditional and Khoi-San leaders locally all the way to the national house,” Mabuza said.
The Deputy President conveyed his condolences to the family, friends and the entire Traditional and Khoi-San leadership. – WSAM Reporter
NEW PRESS OMBUD APPOINTED
Pretoria advocate and a former journalist, Herman Scholtz, has been appointed South Africa’s Press Ombud, effective from July 1. Scholtz replaces Carmel Rickard, who has resigned for personal reasons. He has been one of the Press Council’s two Deputy Press Ombuds for the past year and has gained significant expertise in adjudicating complaints about breaches of the Press Code of Ethics and Conduct for South African Print and Online media.
Scholtz has been appointed after a rigorous search by the PCSA Appointments. Judge Bernard Ngoepe, who chaired the panel in the absence of its regular chairperson, Judge Yvonne Mokgoro, said the panel had considered 48 applicants which had been reduced to a shortlist of four.
He said: “We were highly impressed by Herman’s understanding and application of the Press Code, and his experience in the adjudication of complaints. – WSAM Reporter
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