CAPE TOWN, June 13 (NNN-SANEWS) — Cabinet has assured South Africans that government, through the Department of Health, is closely monitoring the emergence of a new COVID-19 variant, known as Nimbus or NB.1.8.1.
“Cabinet calls on all citizens to ensure good hygiene practices, including avoiding unnecessary hand shaking, washing hands with soap, covering the mouth when coughing, using a mask when one has flu and staying home when one is not feeling well,” Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said.
This as the virus is associated with a rise in cases in certain regions of Asia.
“During the COVID-19 pandemic, we demonstrated that through these simple measures we could reduce the spread of respiratory illness.”
The Minister was briefing members of the media on the outcomes of the Cabinet meeting held on Wednesday.
According to Health Minister, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, South Africa has robust surveillance systems that is managed by the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD).
The NICD manages a comprehensive sentinel surveillance programme that systematically tests for key respiratory viruses, including SARS-CoV-2, influenza, and RSV. Currently, data show very low SARS-CoV-2 activity. — NNN-SANEWS
