COVID-19 WRAP | More deaths as SA coronavirus cases increase to 635,078

September 04 2020 - 21:00

More deaths as SA coronavirus cases increase to 635,078

South Africa now has 635,078 Covid-19 cases and 18,599 deaths, health minister Dr Zweli Mkhize said on Friday evening.

He said the country recorded just over 100 new deaths bringing the total to 18, 599. 

September 04 2020 - 17:30

UK records 1,940 new daily COVID cases; highest since May 30

The United Kingdom recorded 1,940 new daily confirmed cases of COVID-19, the highest since May 30, health officials said on Friday.

Daily case numbers had been rising at about 1,000 a day for most of August, but have started to increase in recent days. Britain's testing capacity has also increased since the peak of the first wave earlier this year.

-REUTERS

September 04 2020 - 15:50

No grace period for expired car licences so motorists will be fined

Motor vehicle owners who did not renew licences which expired during the lockdown will “face the consequences”.

All motor vehicle licence discs, temporary permits and roadworthy certificates that expired between March 26 and May 31 were deemed to be valid and a further grace period was granted, which ended on Monday.

“Those who did not renew will face the necessary consequences. If it is a fine that's due then it will be a fine. It depends on the transgression and the type of licence that is due. If it’s a vehicle impounding, it will be that. Whatever the consequences as per the law, it will kick in,” said transport ministerial spokesperson Ayanda Allie Paine on Friday.

September 04 2020 - 15:12

Results of Russia's Covid-19 vaccine produced antibody response

Russia's "Sputnik-V" Covid-19 vaccine produced an antibody response in all participants in early-stage trials, according to results published on Friday by The Lancet medical journal that were hailed by Moscow as an answer to its critics.

The results of the two trials, conducted in June-July this year and involving 76 participants, showed 100% of participants developing antibodies to the new coronavirus and no serious side effects, The Lancet said.

Russia licensed the two-shot jab for domestic use in August, the first country to do so and before any data had been published or a large-scale trial begun.

—Reuters

September 04 2020 - 14:44

US disasters cause insurance double whammy for pandemic-hit businesses

As insurers brace for an expensive natural-disaster season because of storms and wildfires ravaging parts of the United States, the novel coronavirus is giving them an odd financial break.

Many companies that were damaged or evacuated because of natural catastrophes were already generating far less revenue due to the pandemic. That means they will get lower payouts upon filing business-interruption claims, according to analysts, lawyers and industry sources.

It is another hit for small businesses that rebuilt after major disasters in recent years, only to see revenue screech to a halt during the pandemic, and then enter another aggressive disaster season. It could leave some companies unable to survive, said John Ellison, an attorney at Reed Smith LLP who has represented policyholders in cases stemming from hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Sandy.

—Reuters

September 04 2020 - 13:20

Makwetu says audit on Covid-19 spending will help oversight bodies

There is still much funding available in the government's multibillion-rand Covid-19 war chest and this week's real time audit report will enable oversight bodies to interrogate how it is spent.

Auditor-general Kimi Makwetu made this remark as he briefed parliament's standing committee on the AG's findings about the spending of some of the R500bn in Covid-19 relief announced by government.

The AG audited R147bn of that R500bn, until the end of July.

September 04 2020 - 11:00

'The Batman' delayed as star Robert Pattinson tests positive for Covid-19

British actor Robert Pattinson has tested positive for Covid-19, news media reported on Thursday, halting production of 'The Batman' and highlighting the movie industry's struggles to get back to business after months of a pandemic-induced shutdown.

Movie studio Warner Bros said in a statement that “a member of The Batman production” in Britain had tested positive for the coronavirus, but did not give a name. “Filming is temporarily paused,” the studio's statement added, but did not say for how long.

Variety, the Hollywood Reporter and Vanity Fair all cited sources as saying the person who tested positive was Pattinson, the film's star.

—Reuters

September 04 2020 - 10:35

Italy's Berlusconi hospitalised after positive coronavirus test

 Italy's former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi has been hospitalised in Milan for further checks after testing positive for the coronavirus, his Forza Italia party said on Friday.

The party said his medical condition was not a cause for concern.

The 83-year-old-media tycoon had been in isolation in his house in the town of Arcore, north of Milan. 

—Reuters

September 04 2020 - 10:00

22 schools closed in France due to coronavirus

French education minister Jean-Michel Blanquer said on Friday 22 schools were closed in France due to cases of Covid-19.

"In mainland France there are currenly 12 schools closed out of a total of over 60,000, which is a small figure. Adding 10 schools in La Reunion (island), that makes it 22," Blanquer told Europe 1 radio.

As over 12 million pupils returned to school in France on Tuesday some parents and teachers' unions have voiced concern at plans for reopening classrooms as the spread of the virus gathers renewed pace.

—Reuters

September 04 2020 - 07:11

IN QUOTES | 'Clear signs' of abusing a flawed system: the AG speaks

Auditor-general Kimi Makwetu called on the government to take swift action against officials implicated in corruption and fraud relating to the Covid-19 relief package.

September 04 2020 - 07:07

Special needs pupils return to classes without desks or windows

Education department says previous contractor was fired for non-performance

September 04 2020 - 06:16

Will my Covid-19 mask protect me against seasonal allergies?

Health authorities around the globe have touted the use of face masks to protect against Covid-19, but can they also protect against hay fever?

September 04 2020 - 06:00

SA's first 'police hospital' opens for Covid-19 patients in Pretoria

The doors have officially opened at SA's first “police hospital”.

The 160-bed facility will first be used for women and men in blue who have contracted Covid-19. The disease has already claimed the lives of 193 officers.