COVID-19 WRAP | SA records 48 new Covid-19 deaths
October 23 2020 - 20:54
SA records 48 new Covid-19 deaths
SA recorded 48 new Covid-19 related deaths, bringing the national death toll to 18,891.
The total number of confirmed coronavirus cases increased by 1,897 making the cumulative number of cases 712,412.
As of today, the total number of confirmed #COVID19 cases is 712 412, the total number of deaths is 18 891 and the total number of recoveries is 643 523. pic.twitter.com/qvylWbiXCQ
— Dr Zweli Mkhize (@DrZweliMkhize) October 23, 2020
October 23 2020 - 19:53
US faces half a million Covid-19 deaths by end-February, study finds
More than a half million people in the US could die from Covid-19 by the end of February next year, but around 130,000 of those lives could be saved if everybody were to wear masks, according to estimates from a modelling study.
The estimates, from a study by researchers at the University of Washington's Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, show that with few effective Covid-19 treatment options and no vaccines yet available, the US faces "a continued Covid-19 public health challenge through the winter."
"We are heading into a very substantial fall/winter surge," said IHME director Chris Murray, who co-led the research.
—Reuters
October 23 2020 - 19:51
WHO says it will have advice on remdesivir in 3-4 weeks
The World Health Organisation (WHO) said on Friday it is preparing guidelines on use of the drug remdesivir for Covid-19 and should be able to release them in three to four weeks.
The US has given full approval for remdesivir to treat infections, the first COVID-19 treatment to receive regulatory endorsement there.
However, a large WHO study earlier this year on Covid-19 patients in hospital found that the drug probably had no effect on their survival rate. "We would anticipate that the guidelines will be available within three to four weeks," Janet Diaz, the WHO's top official for clinical care responses, told a news conference.
—Reuters
October 23 2020 - 13:43
Covid-19 makes births more complicated
Pregnant women who contract Covid-19 are more likely to experience complications after birth compared to those who test negative, a new study has revealed.
According to new research carried out by researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York City, US, women with Covid-19 are prone to developing oxygen deficiency (hypoxia) and fever, and are likely to be readmitted post-partum.
October 23 2020 - 13:00
Poland restricts public gatherings to 5 as coronavirus cases climb
Poland increased coronavirus restrictions on Friday as it faced a new daily case record, restricting public gatherings to five people, switching all students above the third grade to distance learning and leaving restaurants open only for takeout food.
"Elementary schools from grades four to eight will switch to distance learning in order to reduce social contacts," Poland's Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki told a news conference on Friday.
—Reuters
October 23 2020 - 11:00
SA reopens Sani Pass border post
SA has reopened the Sani Pass border that connects SA with the mountain kingdom of Lesotho.
The Sani Pass was opened on Thursday after minister of co-operative governance and traditional affairs Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma announced the reopening in an update to disaster management regulations on Wednesday.
October 23 2020 - 08:25
V&A Waterfront to offer drive-through Covid-19 testing for R850
Cape Town's V&A Waterfront has announced that it will offer visitors of all ages the convenience of a drive-through Covid-19 testing facility.
In partnership with Dis-Chem, the tourist attraction will launch the public facility on Saturday and it will cost R850 for a swab test.
The facility will operate between 9am and 4pm from Monday to Friday, and between 9am and 2pm on Saturday. Extended hours and Sundays are planned for December.
October 23 2020 - 07:44
'I cannot help but be concerned,' says Mkhize on Covid-19 resurgence, other politicians who've tested positive
Health minister Zweli Mkhize has expressed concerns about the country's increasing Covid-19 cases.
Mkhize, who is quarantining after testing positive for Covid-19, warned about the high risk of a Covid-19 resurgence based on epidemiological data.
He said after reading and analysing the country’s reports, he was extremely concerned.
October 23 2020 - 07:41
Blood of recovered COVID-19 patients shows little benefit as treatment
Using blood of recovered COVID-19 patients - or so-called convalescent plasma - as a potential treatment is of little benefit in helping hospitalised patients fight off the infection, according to results of a clinical trial in India.
Published in the BMJ British Medical Journal on Friday, the results show that convalescent plasma, which delivers antibodies from COVID-19 survivors to infected people, failed to reduce death rates or halt progression to severe disease.
The findings, from a study of more than 400 hospitalised COVID-19 patients, are a setback for a treatment that U.S. President Donald Trump touted in August as an "historic breakthrough". The United States and India have authorised convalescent plasma for emergency use.
Other countries, including Britain, are collecting donated plasma so that it could be widely rolled out if shown to be effective.
—Reuters
October 23 2020 - 06:00
Many believe Covid-19 is exaggerated and declining, says survey
A new survey has revealed that there has been growing pandemic “fatigue” and complacency since lockdown rules were relaxed.
There has also been a reduced compliance with health measures among members of the public, thereby increasing the risk of exposure to Covid-19.
This is according to a survey conducted by the University of Johannesburg's (UJ's) centre for social change, in partnership with the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC), which was done between July and September among almost 8,000 respondents.