Inside Covid-19

In this episode, BizNews founder Alec Hogg interviews Gaurang Tanna, the national health department expert behind the launch of mobile app Covid Alert SA, which is aimed at tracing people who have come into contact with individuals who have tested positive for Covid-19. Our partners at the Wall Street Journal investigate the challenges researchers have faced in recruiting participants for Covid-19 vaccine trials. And, a small business owner discusses the expenses and struggle of having to test and monitor employees for Covid-19. - Jackie Cameron

In today's episode of Inside Covid-19, BizNews founder Alec Hogg has a fascinating conversation with a leading South African medical specialist on infectious diseases, Professor Lucille Blumberg of the National Institute of Communicable Diseases, on how South Africa is fighting the coronavirus pandemic and other deadly diseases. We also hear about Sweden's controversial lockdown strategy - where it has gone right and wrong - and BizNews partner Wall Street Journal provides in-depth reportage on Covid-19 patterns and trends across the continent. - Jackie Cameron

In episode 77 of Inside Covid-19, we look at life under level two of lockdown. First we explore how a Johannesburg community has created its own Covid-19 response system - including operating a community-run ambulance system. And, we speak to Dinesh Govender, the CEO of Discovery Vitality about what social reintegration means for Vitality’s members and its lifestyle partners. Plus, catch up on the Covid-19 news making headlines. - Jackie Cameron

In this episode, we speak to Professor Cheryl Cohen, principal investigator of a study looking into the prevalence of asymptomatic infection in South Africa. She is also investigating the role of children in the transmission of Covid-19. We hear from a BizNews journalist how home Covid-19 tests are easily available - but you can easily think you test negative when you are positive. And we pick up on this theme with Discovery Health Public Health Medicines specialist Dr Geraldine Timothy, who gives us the low-down on what tests there are for Covid-19 - and why DIY testing is not a good idea. Also catch up on some of the Covid-19 developments making the headlines.

In this Inside Covid-19 podcast, hear how South Africa is switching to 'surveillance mode' in its efforts to combat Covid-19; plus, the worst seems to be over for the pandemic in the country. We pick up on how Covid-19 containment has been a blunt instrument, causing severe economic strain globally and a deepening poverty crisis in SA. Picking up on this theme is an interview with Gift of the Givers founder Dr Imtiaz Sooliman, who shares the details on how cash has dried up for individuals across all spheres. You might be surprised to learn who is relying on charity. Also catch up with the latest developments on how Covid-19 spreads - you can contract Covid-19 twice, Hong Kong scientists discover - and take advice from Dr Geraldine Timothy, a Public Health Medicines Specialist with Discovery Health, who gives the low-down on face-masks.

In episode 74 of Inside Covid-19, two of the scientific world’s leading lights, Dr Peter Piot and Dr Thomas File, warn about thus-far overlooked long term impacts on the human body of the coronavirus; and as the world’s focus swings from stemming infections to beating off the virus, we take a close look at how scientists are working on how to better identify our immune responses – and how these can be bolstered. In this episode we’ll get more on antibodies and immunity from the head of Discovery’s Clinical Policy unit; and in a separate analysis, the professor of Infectious Diseases and Vaccines at the La Jolla Institute of Immunology in San Diego, California. - Alec Hogg

In episode 73 of Inside Covid-19 there's a focus on vaccines – first with Wits professor Shabir Madhi whose unit was selected by US drug company Novavax to run a critical 2b trial of its coronavirus vaccine. Courtesy of a $15m donation from the Gates Foundation, Wits will conduct a 2,900 person trial of the Novavax vaccine; it began a similar trial for the promising Oxford University vaccine seven weeks ago. We’ll also hear from our partners at Bloomberg why the civilized world isn’t banking on Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine which was announced last week. Also tonight, Discovery’s Vitality creates fresh incentives to encourage its 65-plus members to adopt lifestyle habits to better prepare them in the fight against Covid-19. - Alec Hogg

In episode 72 of Inside Covid-19, a focus on the reimagination of South African business and universities after the pandemic - Discovery’s founders Adrian Gore and Barry Swartzberg share their thoughts and we also hear Prof Francis Petersen, vice chancellor of Free State University; we investigate the racial gap in clinical trials for a coronavirus vaccine; and hear how non-compliance from Europe’s youth is causing a resurgence in the number of infections – and mortalities. - Alec Hogg

In episode 71 of Inside Covid-19, after Tuesday's excitement around Russia’s coronavirus vaccine, doubts grow because of the apparent haste with which it was created – we’ve got context on that story, and vaccines generally. Plus fresh evidence that lockdowns just don’t work in an African context and some ugly consequences from the UK’s mismanagement of the pandemic. - Alec Hogg

In episode 70 of Inside Covid-19, some smart advice from Discovery's chief dietician who explains what to eat to blunt the coronavirus sting; a South African healthcare hero, Wits Professor Guy Richards, shares his own Covid-19 infection journey and explains why his team applied dexamethasone well before the lifesaving drug became popular; Eskom pension fund declares a R100m bonus to help its 33,000 members overcome the financial strain of the pandemic; the inside story behind Kodak’s crazy share price surge after the White House throws $765m at the old photography icon to get it to pivot into making chemicals to help fight the pandemic; and support grows for the unusual protest action by the owner of a safari company based near the Kruger National Park. - Alec Hogg