COVID-19 WRAP | SA records 1,923 new Covid-19 cases as Ramaphosa reopens the country

September 16 2020 - 20:24

SA records 1,923 new Covid-19 cases as Ramaphosa reopens the country

South Africa recorded 1,923 Covid-19 cases and 64 deaths in the last 24 hours, health minister Dr Zweli Mkhize said on Wednesday night.

September 16 2020 - 20:24

President Cyril Ramaphosa reopens the country

President Cyril Ramaphosa effectively reopened the country after he announced a move to alert level 1 of the lockdown as of midnight on Sunday.

Addressing the nation on Wednesday night, Ramaphosa announced the easing of most of the lockdown regulations which were put in place about six months ago in response to the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The reopening includes the return of international travel both for leisure and business - subject to certain requirements, including limiting travel to and from countries that show high numbers of Covid-19 cases.

September 16 2020 - 20:02

IN FULL | Ramaphosa on the move to lockdown level 1

President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the nation on Wednesday evening after months of lockdown regulations to slow the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.

September 16 2020 - 19:19

Ramaphosa: SA to move to Covid-19 alert level one from Sunday, Sept 20

President Cyril Ramaphosa on Wednesday evening said SA had weathered Covid-19's “fierce and destructive storm”, announcing a move to alert level one.

"With the further progress we have made as infections have come down, we are now ready for a new phase in our response to the pandemic," said Ramaphosa.

"It is time to move what will become our new normal... it is now time to remove as many of the remaining restrictions on economic and social activity as is reasonably safe to do."

September 16 2020 - 16:55

Gauteng spent more than R14m on ‘fever tents’ in fight against Covid-19

A total of 26 “fever tents” were erected at various health facilities in Gauteng to help in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic, acting health MEC Jacob Mamabolo said on Wednesday.

The tents, set up in July — mostly at the entrances to health facilities — were used to help with the screening of patients. He revealed that the department owned 13 of the tents.

September 16 2020 - 16:09

Gauteng has a plan to deal with deaths as funeral parlours strike, says MEC

The department of forensic pathology services in Gauteng has partnered with the provincial emergency medical services (EMS) to help collect the remains of those who pass away at home during the funeral undertakers' strike. 

Acting health MEC Jacob Mamabolo visited Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital in Soweto on Wednesday to assess the impact of the strike.   

“We are satisfied with how Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital is handling the management of bodies during this period,” he said. 

September 16 2020 - 15:04

Scores of Sassa beneficiaries in the dark about their R350 grant payouts

Four months after the Covid-19 social relief of distress (SRD) grant for unemployed individuals was announced, scores of people have still not received their payouts.

The R350 grants were announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa in April as part of the R500bn economic and social relief measures to support citizens during the pandemic. It was expected that qualifying individuals would receive the grant from May until October. However, this has not been the case for many people who are queuing at post offices to collect their share.

September 16 2020 - 14:47

IEC in a race to hold 111 by-elections delayed by Covid-19 before February

The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) is in a race against time to ensure it holds at least 111 by-elections across the country which were postponed by Covid-19.

After the announcement of the lockdown by President Cyril Ramaphosa in March, the IEC has had to approach the electoral court to postpone all by-elections.

September 16 2020 - 14:45

Solidarity Fund lists what R2bn was spent on

The Covid-19 Solidarity Fund said it had approved more than R2bn to be spent on interventions and projects across three pillars.

The R2.448bn was split across health (R1.98bn), humanitarian relief (R411m) and behavioural change (R56m).

September 16 2020 - 14:24

Artists decry lack of relief in lockdown, demand stimulus for industry

An alliance of cultural and creative sector activists on Wednesday protested at the Union Buildings in Pretoria, demanding action from President Cyril Ramaphosa to protect artists and enable investment in their industry.

September 16 2020 - 14:22

Wits University resumes vaccinating in Oxford Covid-19 trial after scare

Wits University has resumed vaccinating in the Oxford Covid-19 vaccine trial also under way in the UK, Brazil and the US.

The trial was recently paused after a British participant fell ill with a suspected adverse reaction. The participant was expected to recover, according to Stat News, which first reported the suspension.

On Wednesday, Wits University said the SA Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) and local ethics committees this week approved resuming vaccinations in SA.

September 19 2020 - 13:38

Western Cape's decisive leadership 'helped SA weather Covid-19 crisis'

SA's spirit of ubuntu, which emphasises the oneness of humanity, and decisive leadership may be behind the country's success against the Covid-19 pandemic, says the country's leading epidemiologist and infectious diseases specialist Prof Salim Abdool Karim.

September 16 2020 - 13:07

September 16 2020 - 12:44

Covid-19: Why a vaccine may offer better immunity than an infection

The novel coronavirus pandemic has brought “herd immunity” to the public consciousness, kindling hope the phenomenon can help slow or even end the outbreak.

Herd immunity refers to a large portion of a community developing a degree of immunity to a virus, thereby reducing person-to-person spread. As a result, the whole community gains protection, not just those who are immune.

September 16 2020 - 12:40

'It is not enough to reimburse': SA responds to ANC ‘humbling’ itself after Zim flight

SA has weighed in on the ANC “humbling” itself after its delegation made use of an air force aircraft to travel to Zimbabwe, “ignoring level 2 lockdown regulations”. 

September 16 2020 - 12:35

September 16 2020 - 11:13

The entertainment industry protests outside parliament demanding for artists to be allowed to work again

September 16 2020 - 09:34

Level one loading: Cyril Ramaphosa set to lift travel ban tonight

President Cyril Ramaphosa will tell the nation on Wednesday night that he is moving the country to Level 1 of the national lockdown and opening up international travel - with provisos.

Travel from high risk countries such as the United States and some of the major EU countries will remain banned.

September 16 2020 - 07:32

Virus deaths in SA gradually approaching 16,000 mark