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PacBio’s New HiFiViral Surveillance Kit Performance Is Not Impacted By Omicron Mutations, Delivering Complete SARS-CoV-2 Genomes For All Circulating Variants

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The Street

By GlobeNewswire MENLO PARK, Calif., Dec. 28, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — PacBio (Nasdaq: PACB), a leading provider of high-quality, highly accurate, long-read sequencing technology, today announced that its new HiFiViral SARS-CoV-2 solution has successfully sequenced and captured the entire genome of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant lineage. The solution gives researchers around the globe a powerful tool to access complete genomic information on Omicron, without gaps in sequencing information that can result from mutations that occur along the SARS-CoV-2 virus genome. “Detecting the Omicron lineag… Continue reading “PacBio’s New HiFiViral Surveillance Kit Performance Is Not Impacted By Omicron Mutations, Delivering Complete SARS-CoV-2 Genomes For All Circulating Variants”

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COVID-19 positivity rate drops

South Africa has recorded at least 3 782 new COVID-19 infections over the past 24-hour reporting cycle, with 15 more fatalities reported.

This brings the total number of infections to 3 417 318, with the national death toll reaching 90 829.

There were 150 more hospitalisations due to the virus.

According to the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), the majority of new cases were recorded in KwaZulu-Natal on Monday.

“The majority of new cases today are from KwaZulu-Natal (1 007), followed by Gauteng (841). Western Cape accounted for 645 new cases, Eastern Cape 522, Mpumalanga 264, Free State 185, Limpopo 132, North West 120 and Northern Cape 66,” the NICD said.

The institute also reported a drop in the national positivity rate, which fell from 27.2% on Sunday to 22% on Monday.

“The 7-day average is 27.4% today, which is lower than yesterday (28.5%). The 7-day moving average daily number of cases has decreased,” the NICD said.

At least 2884 vaccines were administered over the past 24 hours, with a cumulative 27 807 355 administered.

Source: South African Government News Agency

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Cambridge police station temporarily closed for Covid-19 decontamination

EASTERN CAPE – Cambridge police station (CSC) is temporarily closed due to a positive Covid-19 case today.

The Community Service Centre (CSC) will be operating from the Detective’s Boardroom on the Prefebs opposite the police station building. The following offices are also affected: Cell block, Crime Centre and Accident Office.

The contact number is 082 457 3760.

The Community Service Centre (CSC) will be reopened soon as decontamination is conducted.

The SAPS management would like to issue a sincere apology for any inconvenience this may cause to the members of the public.

Source: South African Police Service

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Police appeals for assistance to locate missing woman

The South African Police Service in Rust de Winter outside Bela Bela are appealing to the members of the community to assist in locating a 32 year-old woman, Maniki Elizabeth Bapela.

The woman reportedly went missing on 17 December 2021 at about 19:00, from Plot 45 in Rust De Winter. She was allegedly last seen at a local tavern with an unknown man and she has since disappeared and cannot be located at friends and surrounding areas.

She was last seen wearing a black short sleeve Tshirt, white short jean and a light green sandals.

Anyone with information that can assist should contact the Investigating Officer Sergeant Maringa on 072 530 5651 or Crime Stop number 08600 10111 or the nearest Police station or MySAPSApp.

Police investigations are underway.

Source: South African Police Service

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Two suspects arrested with abalone and shebeens raided during Safer Festive Season Operations

NORTHERN CAPE – Two suspects aged 29 and 32 are expected to appear before the Mothibistad Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, 28 December 2021, on a charge of illegal possession of abalone. The suspects were arrested on Monday, 27 December 2021, during a static road block on TM Tlhabane Road in Mothibistad. The duo were driving a white Ford Ranger bakkie and they were pulled over, during a routine inspection and search. Upon inspection and search the suspects were found in possession of abalone weighing 20kg with an estimated street value of more than R50 000-00 including weighing scale, gambling machine and cash. The police also confiscated the bakkie as it was believed to be involved in the commission of crime.

In continuation of safe a life crime prevention operation, members of Wrenchville raided several shebeens in the endeavours to address illegal dealing in liquor in and around Wrenchville. More than 35 000 millilitres of alcohol were confiscated, with an estimated value of R18 000-00 during the raids, two shebeen owners in Promiseland, Wrenchville were slapped with R1000-00 fines respectively for dealing in liquor illegally.

Police in the Northern Cape continue with their efforts to bring crime perpetrators to book, during the festive season operation.

Source: South African Police Service

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Man arrested for possession of unlicensed firearm and ammunition

NORTHERN CAPE – On Tuesday, 28 December 2021 at about 12:30, a 35 year old man was arrested for being in possession of unlicensed firearm and ammunition at Seoding village outside Kuruman.

The Northern Cape Provincial team comprising of ORS, TRT, Kimberley POP, Kimberley K9 and Kuruman Vispol members swiftly responded to a complaint of a person who is in possession of a firearm.

Upon further investigation, a man was found in possession of an unlicensed 9mm firearm and 7 rounds of ammunition.

He will appear in the Mothibistad Magistrates Court on a charge of being in possession of unlicensed firearm and ammunition soon.

The Acting District Commissioner of JTG, Brigadier Johnny Besnaar urged the community to continue to report criminal activities especially where firearms are involved. All information will be treated confidentially and informers will remain anonymous.

Source: South African Police Service