For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Sane Dhlamini.

Making headlines: SA receives R7.6bn World Bank loan for Covid-19 vaccine procurement, Western Cape schools to be used as vaccination sites for pupils and, Comair placed in provisional liquidation by high court

SA receives R7.6bn World Bank loan for Covid-19 vaccine procurement

South Africa has welcomed a R7.6-billion “low-interest” loan from the World Bank to support the country’s procurement of 47-million Covid-19 vaccine doses, as the country remains the epicenter of the pandemic in Africa.

South Africa has the highest cumulative numbers of infections and deaths on the continent.

As of Wednesday, South Africa recorded 536 new Covid-19 cases bringing the total number of laboratory-confirmed cases to over 3 million.

The South African government requested assistance in the form of a loan to finance vaccine procurement contracts, which will retroactively finance the procurement of 47-million Covid-19 vaccine doses.

Western Cape schools to be used as vaccination sites for pupils

Western Cape schools are set to roll out Covid-19 vaccinations to pupils aged 12 and older, as part of a national programme focusing on schools.

National health department spokesperson Foster Mohale said the department, in collaboration with the Basic Education and Social Development departments, is taking vaccination services to schools as part of an integrated school health programme.

Parental consent will be required prior to pupils being vaccinated at schools, in line with the procedures of the Integrated School Health Programme.

Nationally, more than 2.5-million vaccines have been administered to those in the 12 to 17 age group.

Comair placed in provisional liquidation by high court

Kulula.com and local British Airways operator Comair was placed in provisional liquidation by the South Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg today. 

The liquidation is necessary for Comair to preserve its fleet of aircraft, valued at about R3.5-billion, for the benefit of creditors, according to the company's business rescue practitioners.

All affected parties have until 26 July to provide the court with reasons why the provisional liquidation order should not be made a final order.

Business rescue practitioners made an urgent high court application because Comair cannot pay aircraft storage, maintenance and insurance costs.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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