COVID-19 WRAP | SA's Covid-19 fatalities expected to reach 20,000 mark soon

October 26 2020 - 21:15

Just 891 new Covid-19 cases recorded in past 24 hours, along with 40 deaths

SA recorded 891 new cases of Covid-19 in the past 24 hours, taking the total number of infections to 716,759.

This is according to health minister Dr Zweli Mkhize, who said that there were also 40 Covid-19 related deaths since the release of Sunday night's figures. Of these, 10 deaths occurred in the past 24 to 48 hours. The remaining 30 were historical deaths that were confirmed since Sunday.

“Our recoveries now stand at 646,721 which translates to a recovery rate of 90%," said Mkhize.

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October 26 2020 - 16:48

Ramaphosa to speak on GBV, Covid-19 fraud and ANC trip to Zim on Tuesday

Gender-based violence hotspots, the ANC's controversial diplomatic trip to Zimbabwe and Covid-19 corruption will be up for discussion when President Cyril Ramaphosa addresses parliament on Tuesday.

Ramaphosa - whose office has not escaped scandal linked to allegedly dodgy personal protective equipment procurement - is set to address the National Council of Provinces on Tuesday at 3pm.

In a short statement, the parliamentary communications team said the president would answer six questions “on matters related to hotspots for gender-based violence, [the] diplomatic trip to Zimbabwe, Covid-19 corruption/procurement irregularities, sustainability of municipalities and public transport infrastructure restoration”. 

October 26 2020 - 10:32

WSU in lockdown: All students to be confined after university Covid-19 outbreak

At least 26 Walter Sisulu University (WSU) students from four different residences and one staff member have tested positive for Covid-19, and all students at the Buffalo City campus are to go into into self-isolation.

Vice-chancellor Rob Midgley on Sunday night sent a circular advising that to protect students, staff and Buffalo City residents and prevent the coronavirus from spreading, all contact activity between staff and students was to be cancelled and all students were to be confined to their residences until November 8.

Midgley said the students would only be allowed to purchase groceries on Monday. Thereafter arrangements would be made for food deliveries to be made to their residences.

He said counselling support services would be made available to students.

October 26 2020 - 09:36

Manager of packed Sandton nightclub Blackdoor arrested after police raid

The manager of the popular Blackdoor Lifestyle Lounge in Sandton, Johannesburg, has been arrested for breaking the lockdown regulations, police said.

The SAPS, the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department, Gauteng traffic police and various other law enforcement agencies shut down the nightclub in the early hours of Sunday.

This after more than 300 patrons were allegedly found at the establishment after the midnight curfew.

Footage taken during the bust shows the nightclub packed to capacity.

Police minister Bheki Cele, who was also present during the raid, said there was no social distancing and no-one wore a mask.

October 26 2020 - 09:34

KZN premier warns of return to hard lockdown if 'reckless' behaviour continues

KwaZulu-Natal premier Sihle Zikalala has warned that another hard lockdown could be imminent if people did not change their reckless behaviour.

Zikalala made the statement during a media briefing on Sunday.

He said the provincial government was “deeply bothered by the largely carefree attitude that has been displayed by some citizens of this province, particularly since our downgrading to lockdown level 1.

“Despite our warnings about tangible examples of a second wave of infections and deaths, it seems many people have thrown all caution to the wind and gone back to their old ways.”

October 26 2020 - 07:31

SA's Covid-19 deaths expected to reach 20,000 mark 

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