• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia

Trendingnow

1

Surging Treasury yields expose a brutal truth: America has no margin for error on its $39 trillion debt

2

After a judge ordered Trump's name be removed from the Kennedy Center, president says it will 'soon be closed, probably never to open again'

3

Current price of oil as of May 29, 2026

1

Surging Treasury yields expose a brutal truth: America has no margin for error on its $39 trillion debt

2

After a judge ordered Trump's name be removed from the Kennedy Center, president says it will 'soon be closed, probably never to open again'

3

Current price of oil as of May 29, 2026
Health

Why South Africa’s COVID outbreak is raising alarms

By
Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez
Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez
Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez
Down Arrow Button Icon
September 2, 2021, 6:00 PM ET

As COVID spreads rapidly in South Africa, researchers have identified a new COVID-19 variant, as the country struggles to get enough vaccines to inoculate its population.

The variant, C.1.2, was first discovered in May in the provinces where Johannesburg and the capital, Pretoria, are located. The strain has not yet been classified as a “variant of interest” or as a more dangerous “variant of concern” by the World Health Organization, but it is still associated with increased transmissibility and ability to avoid antibodies, according to a research paper published by the scientists who first identified it.

Other variants, including the prominent Delta variant, have wreaked havoc among the unvaccinated around the world. It is yet to be seen how C.1.2 will progress and how it will affect South Africa’s large unvaccinated population.

The country has vaccinated approximately 10% of its population, according to a Fortune analysis of CDC data. South Africa has had trouble attaining enough vaccines to fully inoculate its population, like many other countries on the continent. Nigeria has vaccinated 0.7% of its population, and Kenya has vaccinated 1.5% of its citizens. The WHO has criticized plans for developed nations to begin offering booster shots to its citizens while developing nations struggle to secure vaccines.

South Africa has received vaccine donations from several nations including the United States, which sent it 2.2 million Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine doses this weekend, on top of 5.6 million doses it sent in July as part of the global vaccination program COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access, or COVAX. African Union special envoy Strive Masiyiwa has criticized rich countries for lagging on their goal to send 700 million doses to Africa by the end of 2021.

Johnson & Johnson was also sharply denounced recently for exporting doses produced in South Africa to Europe. The Wall Street Journal reported Thursday that millions of Johnson & Johnson vaccines will now be returned and distributed to African countries.

By the end of 2021, South Africa aims to have vaccinated 67% of its population of 60 million. Some in the country have been reluctant to get the vaccine, despite hesitancy declining overall, according to a report by the University of Johannesburg and the Human Sciences Research Council’s (HSRC) Developmental, Capable and Ethical State research division. Only 40% of those who were vaccinated by Aug. 13 were men, according to a report by South Africa’s National Department of Health.

So far, South Africa is the African country hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. As of Thursday, the country reported more than 144,000 active cases and 235 daily deaths, according to the South African health department’s website.

Subscribe to Fortune Daily to get essential business stories straight to your inbox each morning.

About the Author
By Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon

Latest in Health

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon

Latest in Health

Gen Z is rejecting $200 dates and choosing ‘solo-maxxing’—and dating apps are taking a hit
Economydating
Gen Z is rejecting $200 dates and choosing ‘solo-maxxing’—and dating apps are taking a hit
By Sydney LakeMay 30, 2026
19 hours ago
Arianna Huffington warns Gen Z that no one with an ‘interesting job’ can simply shut their laptop at 5 p.m.—and if you can, you should change jobs
SuccessThe Promotion Playbook
Arianna Huffington warns Gen Z that no one with an ‘interesting job’ can simply shut their laptop at 5 p.m.—and if you can, you should change jobs
By Orianna Rosa RoyleMay 30, 2026
20 hours ago
America finally crushed smoking—then defunded the playbook
HealthTobacco
America finally crushed smoking—then defunded the playbook
By Mike Stobbe and The Associated PressMay 29, 2026
1 day ago
Reverse Health App Review (2026): Our Honest Thoughts
HealthWorkouts
Reverse Health App Review (2026): Our Honest Thoughts
By Emily PharesMay 29, 2026
1 day ago
Green Chef Review (2026): Opinions from Testers and Experts
Healthmeal delivery
Green Chef Review (2026): Opinions from Testers and Experts
By Christina SnyderMay 29, 2026
1 day ago
Kenya suspends a U.S. plan to create a quarantine facility for Americans exposed to ebola
LawEbola
Kenya suspends a U.S. plan to create a quarantine facility for Americans exposed to ebola
By Evelyne Musambi and The Associated PressMay 29, 2026
2 days ago

Most Popular

Surging Treasury yields expose a brutal truth: America has no margin for error on its $39 trillion debt
Economy
Surging Treasury yields expose a brutal truth: America has no margin for error on its $39 trillion debt
By Shawn TullyMay 30, 2026
23 hours ago
After a judge ordered Trump's name be removed from the Kennedy Center, president says it will 'soon be closed, probably never to open again'
Law
After a judge ordered Trump's name be removed from the Kennedy Center, president says it will 'soon be closed, probably never to open again'
By Collin Binkley and The Associated PressMay 30, 2026
9 hours ago
Current price of oil as of May 29, 2026
Personal Finance
Current price of oil as of May 29, 2026
By Joseph HostetlerMay 29, 2026
2 days ago
Gen Z is rejecting $200 dates and choosing 'solo-maxxing'—and dating apps are taking a hit
Economy
Gen Z is rejecting $200 dates and choosing 'solo-maxxing'—and dating apps are taking a hit
By Sydney LakeMay 30, 2026
19 hours ago
As CEO of the $96 billion Sam’s Club, Latriece Watkins is testing her mettle at the warehouse retailer that produced CEOs for Walmart, Target, and Walgreens
Magazine
As CEO of the $96 billion Sam’s Club, Latriece Watkins is testing her mettle at the warehouse retailer that produced CEOs for Walmart, Target, and Walgreens
By Emma HinchliffeMay 27, 2026
4 days ago
U.S. says deals with Iran for safe Hormuz transit are prohibited
Politics
U.S. says deals with Iran for safe Hormuz transit are prohibited
By Jack Wittels and BloombergMay 30, 2026
15 hours ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.