South African Health Minister Joe Phaahla: “There is no need to panic. There is no basis for some of these leaders who have imposed these travel bans.” #Omicron #Covid19
South African Health Minister Joe Phaahla: " We want to thank our scientists. There is a saying that says you are better off dealing with an enemy you know. Now we know.” #Omicron #Covid19
“We are engaging the leaders of countries that have imposed travel bans.” Phaahla says he discussed the US travel ban US counterpart Xavier Becerra. When Becerra asked how the US could support SA, Phaahla says he responded by saying lifting the ban would be a start. #Omicron
South African Health Minister Joe Phaahla says the World Health Assembly will be meeting today and South Africa will present a statement on behalf of Southern African countries expressing outrage against the travel bans. #Omicron #Covid19
South Africa is seeing a rapid rise in #COVID19 cases, potentially driven by the #OmicronVariant "We expected and prepared for a fourth wave & a new variant," says @CAPRISAOfficial Salim Abdool Karim. 
South Africa anticipated a new #COVID19 variant as early as September, says @CAPRISAOfficial Salim Abdool Karim. Here's what he believes may be likely scenarios based on what scientists know about #OmicronVariant mutations from previous variants.
@CAPRISAOfficial What might #OmicronVariant mean for how sick people get with #COVID19? Salim Abdool Karim says it's too early to tell but no early red flags. Will current treatment be effective? Yes likely but data is missing on monoclonal antibodies (not widely available in Africa due to cost)
What will #OmicronVariant mean for vaccines? "Based on other variants, we can expect that we will see high effectiveness for #COVID19 hospitalisations & deaths." Salim Abdool Karim says it could take up to 4 weeks to get more data on this.
Abdool Karim stresses again that although vaccines have performed a little bit less well against newer variants, #COVID19 vaccines continue to show strong protection against serious disease & death. #OmicronVariant
"Closing the borders has almost no benefit. As of yesterday there are already 11 countries reporting the #OmicronVariant " Isolating South Africa doesn't do much because pretty soon, he says, other countries will also pose a risk. "We should be standing together"
Salim Abdool Karim expects to see pressure on South African hospitals in the next 2-3 weeks. Says higher transmissibility of #OmicronVariant is likely even if it doesn't make people sicker. Says risky, indoor situations should be restricted to vaccinated people. #COVID19
Michelle Groome, NICD: November showed South Africa's lowest positive rate, number of cases before a rapid rise in cases. Although most cases are concentrated in Gauteng, other provinces incl Limpopo, North West, Mpumalanga seeing increasing cases #OmicronVariant #COVID19
Here's what #COVID19 hospital admissions & deaths look like in South Africa #OmicronVariant c/o @nicd_sa A low proportion of cases continue to be admitted although admissions lag by about a week on cases.
The vast majority of #COVID19 admissions in Tshwane are unvaccinated. NICD says that with increased pediatric admissions, that will be important for developing surge capacity. #OmicronVariant
Gauteng Health Freddy Kgongwana says province has been preparing for 4th wave since the end of the 3rd wave, including availability of oxygen. The province will be meeting with Afrox daily during any wave. "We can boldly say we are prepared." #COVID19
Gauteng Health Deputy Director-General Freddy Kgongwana: We have moved from a staff of 68,000 staff to 81,000. The province remains the country's current #COVID19 hotspot, accounting for ~80% of new cases #Omicron
"We need to ensure our communities that we are ready for a 4th wave," says Gauteng Health Deputy Director-General Freddy Kgongwana. #COVID19sa Says that the province has ample bed capacity and is working to fill an additional ~1000 health posts. #Omicron
South Africa's @nicd is working to link genome data to hospital admission data and hopes to share this soon. #COVID19 #Omicron
South Africa's Department of International Relations & Cooperations urges South Africans stuck abroad due to #COVID19 #Omicron travel ban to contact the nearest embassy or call +27 (0)12 351 1000 for assistance. dirco.gov.za/webmissions/in…
South Africa's Department of International Relations & Cooperations says ~3 African countries have imposed #COVID19 travel bans against the country.
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
