COVID-19 WRAP | SA records 3,286 new cases of Covid-19 in 24 hours

September 18 2021 - 22:00

SA records 3,286 new cases of Covid-19 in 24 hours

SA recorded 3,286 new confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the past 24 hours, according to the Department of Health.

This brings the cumuluative number of coronavirus cases in the country to 2,880,349 since the start of the pandemic, with 164 daily deaths bringing the national death toll to 86,116. 

The number of vaccines administered to date is 15,970,308.

September 18 2021 - 12:21

Australian police clash with anti-lockdown protesters, arrest nearly 270

Australia's police arrested 235 people in Melbourne and 32 in Sydney on Saturday at unsanctioned anti-lockdown rallies and several police officers were injured in clashes with protesters.

Victoria police said six officers required hospitalisation. Several officers were knocked to the ground and trampled, the police said and television footage showed.

About 700 people managed to gather in parts of Melbourne, as 2,000 officers made the city centre virtually a no-go zone, setting up checkpoints and barricades. Public transport and ride shares into the city were suspended.

September 18 2021 - 11:56

Cape candle firm boss in court for Covid-19 relief fund fraud

The Hawks have swooped on a Western Cape candle maker for alleged Covid-19 relief fund fraud.

Andre Appelgryn, 64, MD of Kapula, appeared in Bredasdorp magistrate's court on fraud charges on Friday.

Hawks spokesperson Zinzi Hani said Appelgryn’s arrest followed a raid by the directorate’s serious corruption investigation team on his offices in the Overberg town.

September 18 2021 - 10:09

Covid-19 doctors ready to take the plunge in snorkel masks when next wave hits

When the next Covid-19 wave crashes down on health workers, snorkelling equipment could save them.

This follows simulations at the universities of Pretoria and Cape Town which found wide approval of full-face snorkel masks among the 52 doctors who tried them.

Researchers said the masks could be a viable alternative during aerosol-generating procedures when standard personal protective equipment (PPE) is not available.

September 18 2021 - 10:04

Singapore primary schools to shift online as Covid-19 cases rise

Singapore's primary schools will shift to home-based learning for 10 days ahead of a key national examination, the education ministry said on Saturday, as the country reported 935 new Covid-19 cases the previous day, the highest since April last year.

Primary 1 to 5 students will move to home-based learning from Sept. 27 to Oct. 6.

Primary 6 students will go on a study break for a few days from Sept. 25 before sitting for the national examination to minimise risk of school-based transmissions and reduce the number of students placed in quarantine.

"With the PSLE (Primary School Leaving Examination) written paper examinations approaching, we will undertake further measures to protect students who are not yet medically eligible for vaccination and give parents and students greater peace of mind," said Education Minister Chan Chun Sing.

A recent rise in cases after the relaxation of some Covid-19 measures has prompted Singapore to pause on further reopening. More than 80% of its population has been vaccinated against Covid-19.

The country is looking at vaccinating children under 12 years in early 2022.

-Reuters