Keegan Leech

Researcher

Latest fact-checks

Steam_False

No, inhaling steam (still) doesn’t prevent Covid-19

Africa Check has debunked several versions of the claim that inhaling hot steam, sometimes from boiling fruits or vegetables, can cure Covid-19.

The misleading claim has even been spread by a former Tanzanian president and a South African political party’s youth league.

A new version of…

Airport_false

No, Lesotho airstrip not ‘a new’ multimillion dollar airport

Africa Check was recently asked to investigate a claim made in a tweet. It shows a photo of a small airstrip next to a cluster of buildings in a stark and mountainous landscape.

The tweet reads: “Meanwhile, a New multimillion dollar airport in Lesotho 😭😭”.

The photo was also posted on…

Covid-19 lockdown poster blog

ANALYSIS: Snappy anti-lockdown poster misrepresents Covid-19 and vaccination death rates

“If one death out of 10k Covid cases shut down the country shouldn’t one death out of 10k vaccines shut down the program?” This slogan from a recent protest in South Africa’s largest city may grab attention, but what little data there is so far firmly contradicts it.

Kruger_False

South African actor Ben Kruger died of Covid – not after vaccine jab

The death of South African actor Ben Kruger, known for his role on Afrikaans soap opera Binnelanders, was announced on 26 May 2021.

News of Kruger’s death was shared by KykNet, the network that produces and airs Binnelanders.

But shortly after the announcement, posts began to appear on…

Latest facts

What is Covid-19 variant found in India?

Source

Bhekisisa Centre for Health Journalism – Three for three: Understanding the 3 COVID variants circulating during SA’s third wave

Short answer

What is Covid-19 variant found in India?

The Delta or B.1.617.2 variant of SARS CoV-2 (previously known as the “Indian variant”) was first detected in India in December 2020 and became the most commonly reported variant in the country from mid-April 2021. The mutations in the Delta variant’s spike protein help the virus to better…

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Which Covid-19 vaccine is more effective against the variant found in India?

Source

Bhekisisa Centre for Health Journalism – Three for three: Understanding the 3 COVID variants circulating during SA’s third wave

Short answer

Which Covid-19 vaccine is more effective against the variant found in India?

Although it is still too early to know, there is some evidence suggesting that the Delta variant reduces vaccine efficacy. Data from cases in England showed that the effectiveness of both the Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines had been lowered after one dose from 51.1% to 33.5%. But after a second…

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Is it true that South Africans drink more alcohol than any other African country?

Source

Global status report on alcohol and health 2018

Short answer

Is it true that South Africans drink more alcohol than any other African country?

According to the World Health Organization’s data, South Africa’s drinking population consumed 28.9 litres of pure alcohol per capita a year, the fifth highest consumption rate in the world, This was below Namibia (31.3 litres), Eswatini (32.7 litres), Cook Islands (32.9 litres) and…

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Natural resources & energy

Governance & service delivery

What share of South African households have access to electricity from the grid?

Source

General Household Survey 2019 (Statistics South Africa)

Short answer

What share of South African households have access to electricity from the grid?

The percentage of South African households that were connected to the mains electricity supply increased to 85% in 2019 – an increase from 77% in 2002 (the year of the first General Household Survey).

Related: Frequently asked questions about electricity in South Africa

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