COVID-19 WRAP | Mainland China reports 15 new coronavirus cases vs 28 previous day

October 25 2020 - 16:32

Italy orders bars, restaurants to close early as Covid infections surge

Italy on Sunday ordered bars and restaurants to close by 6pm and shut public gyms, cinemas and swimming pools to try to halt a rapid resurgence in the coronavirus that has pushed daily infection rates to new records.

Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said the measures were aimed at protecting both public health and the economy and should allow the rising curve of the epidemic to be brought under control in the next few weeks.

"We think that we will suffer a bit this month but by gritting our teeth with these restrictions, we'll be able to breathe again in December," he told a news conference.

—Reuters

October 25 2020 - 16:30

Spain decrees new state of emergency in Covid-19 fight

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced a new state of emergency on Sunday in an effort to curb soaring coronavirus infections, imposing local night time curfews and banning travel between regions in certain cases.

"We are living in an extreme situation...it is the most serious in the last half century," he told a news conference following a cabinet meeting.

The measure goes into force from Sunday night and will require all regions except the Canary Islands to impose a nighttime curfew.

—Reuters

October 25 2020 - 13:43

Life policy prices on hold despite Covid toll

SA’s insurance companies have seen a surge in life insurance claims related to Covid-19 — but they aren’t yet looking at raising prices for policies.

Jenny Ingram, head of product development and pricing for life insurance at Momentum, said this week the group’s claims payouts to date are at a record high of R4.6bn, 30% up from the previous year.

This includes life insurance claims for Covid-19 deaths as well as an increase in deaths due to heart attacks and strokes. Ingram attributes the latter to the economic and psychological stress of lockdown.

October 25 2020 - 13:18

Covid still at the gate, but the country can't stand another lockdown

This week, Mkhize noted a 9.1% increase in new cases over the past week and a 10.7% rise over two weeks, which will be presented to the National Coronavirus Command Council for it to take appropriate steps.

The public is watching, anxious that the government could do the unthinkable and slam the brakes on our emergence from the Covid-19 nightmare by dragging us all the way back to level 5, in a worst-case scenario.

October 25 2020 - 12:15

Worldwide coronavirus cases cross 42.45 million, death toll at 1,146,763

More than 42.45 million people have been reported to be infected by the novel coronavirus globally and 1,146,763​ have died, according to a Reuters tally. Infections have been reported in more than 210 countries and territories since the first cases were identified in China in December 2019. 

-Reuters

October 25 2020 - 10:18

Pods allow safe visits to elderly during lockdown

The pod, which is separate from the care facility, has a clear screen between the residents and visitors, with a telephone intercom system for them to communicate.

"During the height of the Covid-19 lockdown we were very aware of the impact of shutting off our elders from their families and friends, and the impact this would have on their mental wellbeing," Tafta CEO Femada Shamam told the Sunday Times.

October 25 2020 - 9:40

Popular Sandton nightclub Blackdoor shut down for breaking lockdown laws

A Sandton nightclub was shut down and employees of a Midrand adult entertainment venue fined early on Saturday morning for violating lockdown laws.

SAPS, the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department, Gauteng traffic police and various other law enforcement agencies found more than 300 patrons at Blackdoor Lifestyle Lounge in Sandton after the midnight curfew.

Footage taken during the bust shows the nightclub filled to capacity, with not many wearing masks.

October 25 2020 - 8:30

Germany's confirmed coronavirus cases rise by 11,176 to 429,181  

The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Germany increased by 11,176 to 429,181, data from the Robert Koch Institute for infectious diseases showed on Sunday.

The reported death toll rose by 29 to 10,032, the tally showed.

- Reuters

October 25 2020 - 7:30

Mainland China reports 15 new coronavirus cases vs 28 previous day

China on Sunday reported 15 new coronavirus cases in the mainland, down from 28 cases the previous day, the health commission said on Sunday.

All 15 of the new infections reported for Saturday were imported, according to a statement by the National Health Commission. It reported 19 new asymptomatic patients, compared with 27 a day earlier.

October 25 2020 - 00:00

'You can’t drink with a mask on': Why party animals shun Covid regulations

LISTEN | Expect a resurgence — but another lockdown won't help, says Prof Shabir Madhi

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