Tuesday, June 10th, 2025
Cases already confirmed in Asia
SA prepared for new Covid
South Africa is closely monitoring the emergence of a new COVID-19 variant, known as Nimbus or NB.1.8.1.
This is according to Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, who addressed the 4th Health Working Group meeting of the Group of 20 (G20), which is underway in Johannesburg.
Motsoaledi said the World Health Organisation (WHO) has designated this “a variant under monitoring” due to its growing presence.
India is the latest country to experience a surge in new COVID-19 cases due to the emergence of the new variant, NB.1.8.1.
According to the Independent, infections have been confirmed in several Asian countries, including Thailand, Indonesia and China.
In addition, the United Kingdom Health Security Agency reported the first 13 cases of this variant in England last week.
“I wish to reassure this esteemed gathering that South Africa has robust surveillance systems in place.
“Our National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) manages a comprehensive sentinel surveillance programme that systematically tests for key respiratory viruses, including SARS-CoV-2, influenza, and RSV. Currently, our data show very low SARS-CoV-2 activity,” Motsoaledi explained.
South Africa is currently experiencing a seasonal rise in influenza, but the country is well-prepared to manage the situation, he said.
“Crucially, the new variant remains a descendant of the Omicron lineage. This means that current recommendations for updated SARS-CoV-2 vaccines are still effective. Therefore, at this stage, no specific new public health actions are required from the public.”
Motsoaledi said government continues to promote good hygiene practices, including handwashing, covering coughs, and staying home when feeling unwell. Source: SAnews.gov.za
Health care gets a proper shot in the arm
Just as the doctor ordered
There seems to be light at the end of the tunnel for health care in the Western Cape.
In March 2025, the Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness launched an innovative healthcare think tank — a first-of-its-kind initiative bringing public and private healthcare professionals together.
The collaborative, which includes private hospitals, laboratories and pharmacy groups, health care funders, academic institutions, and the provincial Department of Health and Wellness, has been working to maximise resources and co-create a ‘Western Cape’ universal healthcare strategy —one built on partnership and innovation.
Western Cape Minister of Health and Wellness, Mireille Wenger, emphasised the importance of collaboration in delivering a patient-centred healthcare system.
She said: “Healthcare is a team effort. To meet both the immediate and long-term needs of our residents, we need the public and private sectors, alongside academic experts, to work together to find smarter, more efficient ways to deliver quality care.”
The think tank is also developing strategies for implementing initial joint projects to improve healthcare delivery on the ground.
One potential solution under consideration is enabling public-sector patients to access specialised medical equipment and diagnostic imaging at private facilities where these are not available in the public health system.
Many private hospitals have advanced technology, such as CT scanners and MRI machines, which public-sector patients, especially those in rural areas, often struggle to access without travelling long distances. By working together, the public and private sectors could reduce unnecessary travel, improve patient care, and enhance the efficiency of healthcare delivery.
“I want to thank our private-sector and academic partners for joining us on this journey, and I look forward to the solutions that we create together,” Wenger said. Source: Western Cape Government