Mia Malan Profile picture
Jan 14, 2022 10 tweets 9 min read Read on X
[Thread] 1. The LATEST on #Omicron in SA

@Dr_Groome of @nicd_sa:
1. Almost 99% of all new #COVID19 cases in SA now = #Omicron (Omicron = red on table, see Nov/Dec)
2. Extremely low proportions of other variants are currently detected through sequencing
2. @Dr_Groome:
1. SA reached its #Omicron peak on 15 Dec (22,588 new #COVID19 cases on that day)
2. Reported cases = only +/- 10% of the actual cases
3. There's been a small increase in new cases over Xmas, but we have seen persistent decreases in terms of 7 day moving averages
3. @Dr_Groome:
1. Previous waves were longer and waves started and ended a few weeks apart in different provinces. With #Omicron the wave is much steeper and provinces followed each other much quicker
2. Gauteng (where SA's Omicron wave started) has exited its 4th (Omicron) wave
4. @Dr_Groome:
1. Under 10 year olds: incidence = lowest out of all age groups, so while under 5 incidence = slightly higher than in previous waves, still = low incidence
2. 20-39: Incidence higher than in other waves
3. 60+: Incidence decreasing in last 2 waves (vax started)
5. @Dr_Groome:
1. Gauteng = exited 4th wave
2. All provinces now show a downward trend in new #COVID19 cases
6. @Dr_Groome:
1. Average national test positivity rate for week of 2 Jan = 24.4% (6.5% down from previous week).
2. + test rate on 13 Jan = 14.3%
3. Down slope of the #Omicron wave won't be as steep as the up slope (so infections decreasing slower than what they had increased)
7. @Dr_Groome:
1. Test positivity rates in all provinces have been decreasing over the past two weeks
2. Country maps (below): Look at how the test + rates in the northern and eastern parts of SA have decreased (4th map)
8. @Dr_Groome:
1. The graph shows the 7 day moving averages for test + rates
2. GP = 1st province to reach a peak (40% test + rate at peak, now at about 17%)
3. There is now a consistent decrease in + rates in all provinces
9. @Dr_Groome:
1. At the beginning of #Omicron the 20-29 age group had the highest test + rates, also high rates in 30-39, but those peaked in early Dec
2. Older age groups increased later
3. Peaks in different age groups = similar test + rates
3. All age groups = decreasing
10. @Dr_Groome:
Summary:
1. #Omicron infections = decreasing at a slower rate than what they increased
2. Omicron waves in all 9 provinces have peaked
3. Although #COVID19 cases among younger people were more common at the beginning of the wave, that changed as the wave moved on

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More from @miamalan

Jan 17
[Thread] 12 things to know about the the proportion of pregnant women infected with #HIV from SA’s latest antenatal HIV survey. The survey is conducted by the @nicd_sa.

(Analysis of our 95-95-95 goals in my next thread later in Jan).

1/12 Image
2. What is the antenatal #HIV survey?

1. It measures the % of HIV+ pregnant women between the ages of 15 + 49.
2. Only women using state pregnancy clinics take part.
3. The survey has been conducted each year between 1990-2015, then in 2017, 2019 +2022. Image
3. How many pregnant women between 15-49’s blood was tested for #HIV? 37 828 out of 40 542 collected samples.
- 37 7171 = Black African women
- 37 541 didn’t live with the dad of their child
- 35,635 of dads were 5 years+ older than moms (this makes them more likely to get HIV) Image
Read 12 tweets
Jan 10, 2023
JUST IN [Thread]:
1.@healthza's Lesley Broomberg:
An extra #COVID19 booster jab for people of 18+ in SA will become available towards the end of JANUARY
- People of 50+ qualify for a 5th dose
- People of 18+ qualify for a 4th dose
2. Lesley Broomberg: Can you mix and match with additional boosters? Yes. You can choose whether you want a #JnJ or #Pfizer booster.
3. Lesley Broomberg:
Will teens of 12-17 qualify for boosters? Not at this stage. Why not? The #VMAC = not recommended booster doses for 12-17, based on an understanding that the protection provided by 2 #Pfizer doses = adequate, as 12-17 = @ low risk of severe #COVID19 illness
Read 5 tweets
Jan 10, 2023
[Thread] #JoePhaahla:
- Genomic surveillance Network reported the detection of the new subvariant XBB.1.5 in SA of a sample of a patient tested on 22 Dec
- Details of the patient = not known, it was a random sample taken for testing
- XBB.1.5 = also common in US
2. XBB.1.5 = common in US
#JoePhaahla:
- 97%+ of #COVID19 cases worldwide = still #Omicron
- XBB.1.5 cases = no major change in hospitalisations or deaths
- Immunity of SAs (vax and natural immunity) = still strong, so that is why we haven't seen much change in terms of hospital admissions/deaths
Read 5 tweets
Dec 13, 2022
🧵1. SA's @aspenpharma will be making 4 jabs (fill + finish) — pneumococcal, rotavirus, meningococcal, hexavalent — from 2023.

How will they finance this?
With a $30 million grant from @CEPIvaccines + @gatesfoundation.

Which APIs will Aspen use?
India's Serum Institute's
2. Why is it NB that an African company makes these jabs?

#Africa imports almost all its jabs. #COVID19 showed us this results in Africa being last in line to get vaccines during pandemics. The grant to Aspen is 1 of the 1st steps to change that.
3. What's the goal?

By 2040, the African Union wants #Africa to make 60% of the jabs the continent uses.

Why?
So that Africa is better equipped 2 respond 2 outbreaks (by developing the ability to make jabs + have technology in place to also make new jabs during pandemics).
Read 6 tweets
Dec 2, 2022
🧵1. BREAKING: @SAHPRA1 has confirmed the registration of the #HIV prevention jab, #CABLA in South Africa. On Thursday, #ViiVHealthcare issued their statement. ImageImage
2. Who can use the jab? @SAHPRA1 didn't specify restrictions for use in their statement, only that it is "a highly effective option for people at substantial risk of #HIV infection." Image
3. How does the jab work? It uses an #ARV called cabotegravir that prevents #HIV from replicating and entering someone’s cells. It’s taken every two months. Read my latest story for more. bit.ly/3ER7ejq
Read 5 tweets
Dec 1, 2022
🧵1. @SAHPRA1 says it’s “days away” from announcing a decision on the registration of the #HIV prevention jab, #CABLA. The shot virtually wipes out your chances of contracting HIV through sex + needs to be taken every 2 months. bit.ly/3ER7ejq#WAD2022
2. How does the jab work? A bit like contraception, says @LindaGailBekker. “U take contraception before sex 2 prevent pregnancy. Similarly, u take the jab before being exposed 2 #HIV 2 prevent infection.” Listen 2 Linda-Gail on @bhekisisa’s #HealthBeat. bit.ly/3FjBlS8
3. What makes #CABLA work? An antiretroviral drug called cabotegravir. Some people with #HIV use it for treatment, along with other #ARVs. The drug prevents #HIV from entering your cells. bit.ly/3ER7ejq
Read 8 tweets

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