COVID-19 WRAP | SA records more than 9,000 new Covid-19 cases in 24 hours
Image: REUTERS/Jeenah Moon TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
December 17 2020 - 20:31
24,000 have now died from Covid-19 in SA, with 9,100 new cases in 24 hours
SA has now conducted more than 6-million Covid-19 tests, with 892,813 of them coming back positive.
Of those confirmed infections, 9,126 were in the past 24 hours - and these from 42,452 tests at a positivity rate of 21.45%
Health minister Dr Zweli Mkhize said on Thursday that there were also 184 new Covid-19 related deaths recorded in the past 24 hours, taking the total number of fatalities from the illness to 24,011.
December 17 2020 - 18:21
Oh dam! Government warns against flocking to dams and rivers as beaches shut
The water and sanitation department has warned South Africans against rushing to rivers, dams and swimming pools as alternatives to beaches.
President Cyril Ramaphosa on Monday announced the government’s decision to bar public access to Eastern Cape and Garden Route beaches between December 16 and January 3. Access to Durban beaches is also prohibited on public holidays until the first week of January.
December 17 2020 - 11:34
SA made 20,000 ventilators for Covid-19 patients at a cost of R250m
SA has locally produced 20,000 ventilators — later than initially anticipated — at an average cost of R12,500 each for Covid-19 patients.
Trade and industry minister Ebrahim Patel said the machines were manufactured under the national ventilator project (NVP) during the national state of disaster by the state-owned Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the SA Ventilator Emergency Project (SAVE-P) — a consortium of companies.
Patel was responding to a written question posed by EFF deputy leader Floyd Shivambu in the National Assembly. Shivambu previously called on social media for evidence to back up claims by President Cyril Ramaphosa that 20,000 ventilators had been manufactured.
December 17 2020 - 11:06
Covid-19 vaccines will be safe when rolled out next year: health experts
Health experts have encouraged South Africans to embrace the Covid-19 vaccine expected to be rolled out in the country in the second quarter of next year, offering the assurance that rigorous monitoring will ensure its safety.
Speaking on SABC's Morning Live on Thursday, Prof Helen Rees of the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority noted the urgency around the development of a vaccine.
December 17 2020 - 10:00
Griquas vs Bulls Currie Cup clash cancelled due to positive Covid-19 results
SA Rugby has confirmed that the fourth round Currie Cup match between the Griquas and the Bulls has been cancelled due to Covid-19 positive results.
The match‚ scheduled for Tafel Lager Park in Kimberley on Saturday afternoon‚ was cancelled in line with Covid-19 protocols after players and management from the Bulls returned positive tests for Covid-19 this week.
December 17 2020 - 09:04
'You'll come back stronger': Mzansi sends well wishes to Pitso Mosimane after coach tests positive for Covid-19
Well wishes have been pouring in for Al Ahly coach Pitso Mosimane who tested positive for Covid-19.
The Egyptian giants' confirmed on Wednesday that the SA-born coach had tested positive for the virus and would be self-isolating at home.
“Mosimane will follow the ministry of health’s protocol for Covid-19 and will be self-isolated at home,” it said in a statement
December 17 2020 - 06:25
For the first time since August SA recorded 10,000 virus cases
December 17 2020 - 06:15
SA’s health laboratory service seems to have an unhealthy relationship with honesty
Ten months after the National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS) fired its acting CEO, its CFO and supply chain manager now face charges of allegedly failing to apply due diligence to allegations of fraud and misconduct regarding the procurement of personal protective equipment (PPE).
The NHLS is already under investigation by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) for alleged financial irregularities in awarding R170m worth of Covid-19 tenders.
But the organisation said its operations will not be affected.