Minister Raises Concerns Over COVID-19 Delta Variant

By: Lindelani Mbatha

Acting Health Minister, Mmamoloko Kubayi, says she’s concerned that the COVID-19 delta variant is quickly becoming dominant in the country.

Kubayi and a panel of experts have been briefing media on the progress of government efforts in the fight against the Coronavirus pandemic, including an update on the national vaccination rollout programme.

In the last 24 hours, more than 120 000 people have been inoculated, mostly in KwaZulu-Natal followed by Gauteng.

300 000 educators have also been vaccinated this week.

Kubayi says many provinces are now on red alert, as they will soon see the same extent of the third wave being experienced in Gauteng.

Meanwhile, President and CEO of the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), Professor Glenda Gray says the Jonson & Jonson vaccine works better with the Delta variant and gets better with time.