COVID-19 WRAP | Covid-19 deaths edge closer to 150 & Ramaphosa tells SA to prepare for the worst

May 5 2020 - 21:52

SA's Covid-19 death toll closes in on 150, as cases climb by more than 350

The number of South Africans that have died of Covid-19 has climbed to 148, the health ministry said on Tuesday.

Ten deaths were reported in the last 24 hours - seven of them in the Western Cape and one each in the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng.

There were also 7,572 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in SA, an increase of 357 in the last 24 hours. The new cases were from 10,523 tests in the last 24 hours, and 268,064 tests had now been done countrywide.

May 5 2020 - 21:40

Mkhize goes on oversight visit to North West to handover PPEs on Wednesday

May 5 2020 - 08:59

High court dismisses challenge to June 1 school reopening

The basic education department has welcomed a Limpopo high court order dismissing a challenge to the planned opening of schools on June 1.

The Tebeila Institute of Leadership, Governance and Training challenged minister Angie Motshekga's decision to reopen schools next month.

Tebeila approached the court on an urgent basis, asking it to set aside the minister's decision and to stop the department from implementing the recovery plan for schools in the wake of the Covid-19 lockdown.

May 5 2020 - 19:19

Wash your hands to save lives

May 5 2020 - 18:19

Covid-19 infection rate up to one in 1,000 in two areas of Cape Town

One person in every 1,000 has now been confirmed with Covid-19 in two of Cape Town's eight health subdistricts.

In Tygerberg, which includes Bellville and densely populated suburbs such as Delft, Belhar, Elsies River and Bonteheuwel, the 667 cases reported on Tuesday mean the per capita infection rate is 101 per 100,000.

In Khayelitsha, which has 474 infections, the per capita rate is 118 per 100,000. But the rate at which the infection is spreading is higher in Tygerberg.

May 5 2020 - 18:11

'This brouhaha should not even be there': Ramaphosa on cigarette u-turn

President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Tuesday that government backtracked on the decision to allow the the sale of cigarette's under level 4 lockdown after members of the public raised concerns.

Ramaphosa said while he had originally announced the sale of cigarettes would be permitted under level 4, people had raised concerns and government listened to them and reexamined its position.

"It so happens that it was done on a very controversial issue. This is by no means the only issue where we've listened to our people and changed tack," he said.

May 5 2020 - 17:53

May 5 2020 - 17:51

Jordan to continue night curfew even after virus outbreak 'contained'

Jordan is to continue to impose a daily night curfew even after containing the spread of the coronavirus and allowing businesses to reopen and more movement, a government spokesman said on Tuesday.

Amjad Adailah said the cabinet, which imposed a curfew on March 21 after enacting emergency laws that gave the government sweeping powers, would also continue to impose a weekend lockdown.

"We have contained the outbreak but the danger is real and the possibility of its return is real and serious," Adailah said.

- Reuters

May 5 2020 - 17:26

Volkswagen to convert PE plant into temporary Covid-19 medical facility

To assist local and provincial government in providing much-needed care to Covid-19 patients in Nelson Mandela Bay, Volkswagen Group South Africa has made its Port Elizabeth plant available as a temporary medical facility.

The plant in Neave, Korsten, which is currently not in use, will be converted and used as an overflow medical facility. Once fully operational, the facility could accommodate up to 4,000 beds for patients diagnosed with the coronavirus. This would also include high-acuity patients who require oxygenation.

May 5 2020 - 17:14

Most education officials not at work despite Motshekga's May 4 return date

Most education department officials at the head office in Pretoria and at provincial education department offices have not yet returned to work. 

Basic education minister Angie Motshekga last week announced that office-based staff would resume duty on Monday this week to get the sector ready for the reopening of schools.

However, staff are anxious to know when they will be going back as only those from the top structures in the national and provincial education departments returned to work on Monday.

May 5 2020 - 17:02

May 5 2020 - 16:59

Helen Zille slams 'authoritarian' level 4

DA federal council chair Helen Zille has slammed the government’s level 4 lockdown regulations, saying they were about “control” and “authoritarianism”.

Zille referred to the three hours provided for exercise as an “absurdity”.

“Even with masks ... it’s hard to cram everyone into that time. Now why are they doing that? Well, they say so the police can cope with that,” she said.

“Well, you know, the point of this lockdown isn’t so the police can cope. The point of this lockdown is to manage transmissions to what the health-care [sector] can cope with.”

May 5 2020 - 16:57

Uganda starts easing one of Africa's strictest lockdowns as virus is 'tamed'

Uganda began to loosen one of Africa's strictest anti-coronavirus lockdowns on Tuesday after President Yoweri Museveni declared the infection "tamed."

The country of 42-million reported 97 confirmed cases and no deaths in 45 days of restrictions, and Museveni said it was now better equipped to trace and detect new infections faster.

"We have somehow tamed the virus," Museveni said in a televised address late on Monday.

"It is high time we ... start slowly and carefully to open up, but without undoing our achievements."

May 5 2020 - 16:46

'The worst is still coming': Cyril Ramaphosa on Covid-19

President Cyril Ramaphosa has reiterated that the country has to plan and be prepared for the worst of the coronavirus pandemic, which is yet to come.

Ramaphosa was speaking at a briefing in KwaZulu-Natal on Tuesday where he was accompanied by health minister Zweli Mkhize and KZN premier Sihle Zikalala.

“We've got to plan, and I'm afraid we've got to plan for the worst. We've been informed that the worst is still coming. The important thing is that we need to ensure we lessen the pace at which infections are going to take place.”

May 5 2020 - 16:23

'Promising' virus-fighting antibody found, say Dutch scientists

An antibody that can stop the new coronavirus infecting cells in laboratory tests has been identified by researchers in the Netherlands, in what scientists say could help the development of therapies for Covid-19.

The antibody neutralised the new coronavirus, according to the research published in Nature Communications, and the authors said it "offers the potential to prevent and/or treat Covid-19".

It has not yet been tested on animals or in human trials.

May 5 2020 - 16:02

May 5 2020 - 15:59

UK to consider evidence before deciding on coronavirus next steps

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will consider evidence provided by scientists at a review on Thursday before taking any decision on the next steps against the coronavirus outbreak, his spokesman said on Tuesday.

Britain must review the measures put in place six weeks ago in two days' time, but any decision could come after that to allow ministers to consider and approve any changes to a lockdown that has all but shut the economy and kept millions at home.

Asked whether Johnson would make a statement unveiling measures covering the next phase of Britain's plan against the novel coronavirus on Sunday, the spokesman said: "I think what matters is that we get this right, that we fully consider all the evidence and ensure that we can communicate the next steps whatever they may be in a very clear way to the public."

"We're looking at a range of possible easements to social distancing measures and we're also looking if in some areas they need to be toughened. Once we have the scientific evidence and we've completed the review process, we will be able to set out what those are."

- Reuters

May 5 2020 - 15:39

Suspend them: family of Alex man 'killed by soldiers' demand action

The family of the Alexandra man who was allegedly beaten to death by soldiers in front of police is seeking the suspension of those involved in his murder.

Advocate Tembeka Ngcukaitobi told the Pretoria High Court on Tuesday that soldiers and metro police who were involved in the assault of Collins Khosa should be suspended.

Khoza was allegedly beaten to death by soldiers who confronted him for drinking at his home on Good Friday.Members of the Johannesburg metro police (JMPD) are accused of standing by and doing nothing during the attack.

May 5 2020 - 15:16

Powerless Joburgers can't work from home, City Power blames cable theft

Residents in some parts of Johannesburg have expressed frustration about constant power outages since Monday.    

On social media platforms, City Power attributed the outages to cable theft.

The cuts affected businesses and people working from home, and meant pupils were unable to attend online classes. Affected areas include Soweto, Northriding, Roodepoort, Cleveland, Houtkoppen and Alexandra.

May 5 2020 - 14:47

Asthmatic and diabetic Gautengers to be tested for coronavirus

After initially limiting coronavirus testing to people who had travelled overseas, displayed symptoms of the virus or been exposed to patients who tested positive, the Gauteng health department on Tuesday announced that it will open up testing to more people.

“From now onwards, testing will be offered to all vulnerable groups who are most at risk of contracting coronavirus,” read a statement from the office of Gauteng health MEC Bandile Masuku.

“These include older people and people with other medical conditions, such as asthma, diabetes or heart disease. The test will be done even if the people do not show Covid-19 related symptoms.”

May 5 2020 - 14:27

Tax shock: Covid-19 and cigarette and booze bans cost SA almost R300bn

Revenue Service Sars is set to lose almost R300bn in tax revenue caused by the coronavirus and the latest sovereign credit ratings downgrade by Standards & Poor's.

This was disclosed to MPs on Tuesday by Sars commissioner Edward Kieswetter during a meeting with parliament's finance committees from the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces, which was also attended by finance minister Tito Mboweni and his deputy David Masondo.

Kieswetter told the meeting that based on their study of tax-collection figures from the first month of the lockdown, which began on March 27, they expected tax revenue to dwindle by up to R285bn in the current financial year.

May 5 2020 - 14:21

South Africans missing their nicotine fix are investigating how to smoke tea

Forget mampoer and pineapple beer, South Africans are now asking Google how to make their own cigarettes as government continues to outlaw the sale of tobacco products during level 4 of the lockdown.

Government's about-turn on the sale of cigarettes last week has seen some desperate smokers turn to the internet to search for methods how to make their own cigarettes. This includes the use of ingredients like tea leaves.

May 5 2020 - 14:15

WATCH | 'Lockdown has been brutal': vendor arrested for selling atchar mocked by community

May 5 2020 - 14:08

Frantic mom pleads to see child at KZN hospital after Covid-19 outbreak

Kahatija Mamsoor queued outside General Justice Gizenga Memorial hospital in KwaDukuza on Tuesday to plead with staff to allow her to see her seven-year-old daughter after the KwaZulu-Natal facility shut following a Covid-19 outbreak.

The hospital was closed for admissions on Monday after 16 people - nine mothers, two babies, four doctors and a nurse - tested positive for Covid-19.

On Tuesday about 100 people queued outside to get their medication.

May 5 2020 - 13:49

Student union rejects 'two-tier' plan to save the academic year

“It is SAUS’s observation that the department intends to move forward with institutions, mainly historically white, that can use their own systems, finances and general resources for migrating and implementing online learning, and has once again left historically Bantu universities to struggle to make their own determination to save the year,” read the statement.

May 5 2020 - 13:40

Northern Cape couple who died of home-brewed beer loved each other dearly

Police said on Monday it was suspected that Hilliar and his fiancée died after consuming homemade beer. Two empty bottles of homemade brew have been sent for forensic testing.

Police spokesperson Brig Mohale Ramatseba said Fouchè was found dead in their flat. Hilliar, who was found seriously ill, died in hospital.

May 5 2020 - 13:30

Surfers appealed to the government to relax the restrictions on recreational ocean sports

Police broke up a peaceful protest by surfers on a beach in Muizenberg, Cape Town, on Tuesday, arresting protesters and even chasing a man on a bicycle - but he got away.

Surfers held their boards at their sides and stood on the beachfront promenade 2m apart. Some used their boards as placards with messages scrawled on the underside, while others spoke to journalists about their frustrations.

May 5 2020 - 13:27

‘Allegation I influenced tobacco ban is outrageous,’ says cigarette trader

Cigarette trader Adriano Mazzotti has denied allegations that he “may have had an influence" on the government's decision to ban tobacco products during the lockdown for self gain.

May 5 2020 - 13:24

Feeling overwhelmed? That's OK, it's quite normal, says psychologist

An expert said this is a normal reaction during a pandemic.

May 5 2020 - 13:19

State concerned as jobless people flood centres to collect R350 grant

Labour centres across the country have experienced large numbers of visitors as desperate citizens try to collect the R350 a month social grant earmarked for unemployed people. 

The employment and labour department expressed concern about the crowds gathering in defiance of the regulations regarding social distancing.   

May 5 2020 - 11:46

AfriForum, Solidarity to petition top court over 'economic murder of minorities'

AfriForum and trade union Solidarity on Tuesday filed an application with the Constitutional Court to apply for leave to appeal against last week's high court judgment which held that government's use of race as a criterion to help tourism businesses was not unlawful.

May 5 2020 - 11:42

Mixed emotions at Sassa paypoints amid 'glitches'

The first day of the SA Social Security Agency (Sassa) pension grant payments was met with mixed emotions as some recipients received double payouts while others left empty-handed following a technical glitch in several parts of the country.  

May 5 2020 - 11:33

Gym is part of South Africans' identity so let equipment be sold, says EFF

The EFF believes gym equipment should form part of the essential goods that are being reopened for sale.

In a statement on Tuesday, the party said because gyms remained closed, the government should allow the sale of gym equipment as this was an integral part of an ordinary South African’s life.

May 5 2020 - 11:04

Police pounce as toddler runs on beach - family arrested and charged

Under the level 4 Covid-19 restrictions effective from May 1, people are allowed to exercise between 6am and 9am within a 5km radius from their homes, but are not allowed on beaches or in parks.

May 5 2020 - 10:00

Khusela Diko defends cooperative governance and traditional affairs minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma

President Cyril Ramaphosa's spokesperson Khusela Diko has come out in defence of Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma after attacks leveled against her over the U-turn on the ban of cigarettes sales.

May 5 2020 - 9:00

May 5 2020 - 8:00

Lessons learnt from Mxit help app sign up to fight Covid-19

Andrew Davies, who learnt good lessons after losing $55m with Mxit, has come up with an app to gather coronavirus data. 

The use of this  app cuts the number of caretakers required per patient from 14 to four - and ​it's being tested in SA hospitals. 

Practitioners are able to use the app to converse and keep a record of their conversations and diagnosis or recommendations. However, the information is kept private, with only the doctors involved and the hospital having access to the records. 

May 5 2020 - 7:55

Life in hotel quarantine for South Africans returning from overseas

A culinary arts student who was forced to cut her learnership short and return to SA in March due to the coronavirus on Monday described the horror she lived through during two weeks of isolation in a Johannesburg hotel organised by the government.

Kgomotso Molapo* shared her personal account of what transpired.

May 5 2020 - 7:35

Truck drivers tell of tough times on the road during coronavirus lockdown

Truck drivers who spend hours on the road, dependent on getting hot meals at their rest stops nestled in petrol stations along their routes, have told TimesLIVE of the horrible weeks they have had on the road, unable to get proper food.

This as the Covid-19 lockdown regulations, in place since March 27, ordered all restaurants, even those operating from petrol stations along the highways, be non-operational during the lockdown.

May 5 2020 - 7:00

What causes mystery Covid-19 blood clots?

Doctors across the globe are not only grappling with the life-and-death question of who gets a ventilator.

Now, they’re having to take on a whole new urgent dilemma: Over the past few days worrying statistics from different countries show that as many as 30% of Covid-19 patients have an abnormal type of blood clot in their bodies but that normal blood-thinning agents could be dangerous.

May 5 2020 -6:00

'System glitch' sends scores of Sassa beneficiaries home empty-handed

Scores of social grant beneficiaries in Pietermaritzburg returned home on Monday without receiving their old age pension grant at the post office and from bank ATMs.

GroundUp reported that beneficiaries who collect their pension from the Pietermaritzburg post office in Langalibalele Street went home empty-handed after spending most of morning and afternoon in snaking queues outside the building.

May 5 2020 -5:58

King-size ciggie war begins​

SA’s tobacco industry has thrown down the gauntlet to government. In court papers it is demanding that the ban on cigarettes and tobacco products be lifted.

May 5 2020 -5:41

'Sassa is betraying our elders' 

The South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) and the department of social development have come under fire after technical glitches with its payment systems saw thousands of beneficiaries in some parts of KwaZulu-Natal return to their homes empty-handed, despite standing in long lines since the early hours of the morning, according to media reports.  

May 5 2020 -5:40

Facebook to invest over R7.2m in African newsrooms during Covid-19 pandemic

Jocelyne Muhutu Remy, Facebook Africa's strategic media partnerships manager, said the news industry was working under extraordinary conditions to keep people informed during the pandemic.

“As people turn to local journalists for critical information on how to keep their friends, families and communities safe, these journalists are affected especially in the current economic crisis,” she said.

“We’re working with our partners and the industry to understand their needs, which includes support to help them continue creative, innovative and impactful storytelling.”