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COVID-19 Update | 9 July 2021
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Registration for Over-50s is now open on EVDS
Registration on EVDS for Over-50s opened on 1 July with the administration of vaccines expected to start from 15 July 2021.
You can access the EVDS website by clicking on the button below:
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COVID-19 Variants
Since SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) was declared a pandemic, there have been genetic variants that have emerged and have circulated throughout the world. According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “Some variations allow the virus to spread more easily or make it resistant to treatments or vaccines. Those variants must be monitored more carefully.”
To date, there are 4 mutations of the virus that have been declared variants of COVID-19:
- Alpha = First identified in the UK
- Beta = First identified in South Africa
- Gamma = First identified in Brazil
- Delta = First identified in India
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The Delta Variant
The Delta variant was initially detected in South Africa in May 2021 and is now rapidly becoming the dominant SARS-CoV-2 variant.
According to an update provided by Prof Tulio de Oliveira and Dr. Richard Lessells (KRISP):
- There is strong evidence that the Delta variant is around 30-60% more transmissable (contagious) than previous variants.
- The most common symptoms are a headache, sore throat, runny nose and sneezing.
- There may be an increased risk of hospitialisation within 14 days of a positive test.
- The vaccines still provide a high level of protection against symptoms and hospitalisation.
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For more tips on how to protect yourself against the Delta variant, click here or visit our COVID-19 page on our website.
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Benefits of Having the COVID-19 Vaccine
The aim of the vaccine is to reduce the risk of developing the illness, the severity of symptoms and the need for hospitilisation.
Getting vaccinated also protects the people around you – if you are protected, you are less likely to spread it.
Did you know that according to the CDC, none of the COVID-19 vaccines can make you sick with COVID-19 as they do not contain the live virus that causes COVID-19. To find out more facts about the vaccine, click here or visit our COVID-19 page on
our website
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Keep visiting our COVID-19 page on our website for updated information on COVID-19 and the vaccine.
Sources: CDC, WHO, SA Coronavirus sites
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