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

Making headlines: Ramaphosa calls urgent meeting of National Coronavirus Command Council as death toll rises; South African medical insurers may help fund vaccines for broader population; And, CDC chief says world risks 'moral catastrophe' if Covid shots delayed in Africa

 

Ramaphosa calls urgent meeting of National Coronavirus Command Council as death toll rises

The government's National Coronavirus Command Council is expected to meet on Wednesday morning, setting the stage for yet another announcement on the Covid-19 lockdown from President Cyril Ramaphosa by the end of the week.

This after the Covid-19 death toll in South Africa surpassed the 30 000 mark on Monday and 12 601 new cases were reported.

The council's scheduled meeting was only set to happen next week, but government spokesperson Phumla Williams said that a meeting could be called sooner if major developments needed to be addressed urgently.

 

South African medical insurers may help fund vaccines for broader population

South African medical-insurance companies, business organisations and the government are developing a programme in which the private sector will help fund Covid-19 vaccines for people not covered by insurance.

Legislation has been amended to allow the companies to fund shots for people who don’t have medical insurance and talks are now focused on the number of those who may benefit.

In addition to medical insurers, companies such as miners may contribute funds so their workers can be covered.

South Africa expects to begin receiving shots in the second quarter to cover a 10th of its about 60-million people through the Covax initiative, which is trying to ensure equitable access to vaccines.

 

And, CDC chief says world risks 'moral catastrophe' if Covid shots delayed in Africa

The world risks a "moral catastrophe" if Covid-19 vaccinations are delayed in Africa while wealthier regions inoculate their entire populations, the head of the continent's disease control body said.

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention hopes significant vaccination campaigns on the continent will begin in April.

Cases of the new coronavirus increased by nearly 19% since last week and deaths increased by 26%, according to Africa CDC data.

 

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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