Bad news for beach lovers - You'll likely have to hang ten a bit longer before hitting the waves
Surfers and sea lovers have pleaded with the government to be allowed to return to the ocean waves. But disappointment may be looming for those longing for a return to their aquamarine paradise, if early signs are anything to go by.
Lockdown death: Police watchdog's handling of Cape Town case reveals deep flaws
A 55-year-old Ravensmead man died on the first day of the lockdown, shortly after being assaulted by police, eyewitnesses say. The Independent Police Investigative Directorate decision to clear police of wrongdoing reveals deep flaws in its handling of the case, reports Daneel Knoetze for Viewfinder.
Mkhize defends lockdown, dismisses criticism of early coronavirus modelling
Health Minister Zweli Mkhize struck a defensive tone during a marathon press briefing on Tuesday night, dismissing criticism over early projection models, surveys showing support for the Covid-19 lockdown had waned and the arrival of more than 200 Cuban doctors this week.
He gave a clear analysis in support of the lockdown, highlighting that it had pushed back the peak infection rate of Covid-19 to September, a key objective.
Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize says the Cuban medical brigade that arrived in South Africa on Monday, came at the government's request.
"The Cuban doctors are coming at our request to reinforce as they have strength in community treatment. Our model is about 'if you are sick, you go to the hospital'. Cuba has a different model.
"We welcome them and we want to assure everyone that they will not take anyone's posts and they will be working alongside South Africans. There should not be anyone that feels that they are a threat to [local employment]," Mkhize said at a virtual media briefing on Tuesday.
The factors that may keep eThekwini on Level 5 lockdown - but analyst warns against it
While most of the country is bracing for the slight relief that a Level 4 nationwide lockdown poses, some parts could remain on Level 5 - including the largest metro in KwaZulu-Natal.
This was reiterated by Premier Sihle Zikalala over the weekend when he said eThekwini, the hub of the East Coast, might still languish on Level 5, pending final decisions.
"Even during Level 4, the risk is still too high. As things stand, it looks like eThekwini will remain at a higher level of lockdown than other areas," he added.
The number of daily deaths from coronavirus rose again in the US Tuesday, a tally from Johns Hopkins University showed, as the country's total fatalities surpassed those of Americans in the Vietnam War.
In a 24-hour period, there were 2,207 additional deaths, the Baltimore-based university said, after the daily toll had fallen to around 1,300 on Sunday and Monday.
The total number of US deaths from new coronavirus have reached 58,351, passing the 58,220 which the National Archives records as US losses from combat and other causes, including accidents, in the years-long Southeast Asian war.
Also Tuesday the United States recorded its one millionth case of new coronavirus, about one-third of the entire world's case load, according to Johns Hopkins data.
- AFP
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Coronavirus morning update: Why lockdown was eased, 1 million cases in US, and experts speak out on BCG
Your latest coronavirus news: The health minister says the decision to ease the lockdown was based on scientific calculations; cases in the US are now more than one milion; and experts warn that babies in countries with high rates of tuberculosis must have priority access to the BCG vaccine.
WRAP: Mkhize says scientific models helped SA avoid a Covid-19 ‘explosion’
South Africa has thus far averted a “rapid explosion” of Covid-19, Health Minister Zweli Mkhize says, with the lockdown playing a huge part in stymying a possibly uncontrollable spread.
The minister presented slides on the latest developments regarding Covid-19 in the country.
Mkhize said the number of cases have increased every day, and experts told the department that this was because of a high number of people being referred from community screenings.
The second factor is that the communal spread of Covid-19 means the spread will continue despite the lockdown, Mkhize said, reiterating the importance of physical distancing and good hygiene.
This second factor is what is “driving” the infection rates, he said, but he noted that there hasn’t been a “rapid explosion” of cases.
The minister said, in other countries, the virus spreads quickly and reaches a peak and at that point health services are overwhelmed.
Conversely, South Africa decided to institute a lockdown to delay the spread. This was on the advice of mathematical models which showed the possible scenarios.
One of the models mirrored the worldwide trend of the virus spreading fast. The advice showed “optimistic” and “pessimistic” outcomes - that being the country being able to cope with cases, and the country being overwhelmed respectively.
Mkhize said the lockdown stymied what could have been an “exponential rise” in cases. “When we addressed the media two weeks ago… we indicated that the lockdown was able to contain the spread, not stop the spread.
“We are quite pleased with what has happened,” he said.
Mkhize noted that the government’s decisions during the lockdown have been made on scientific advice, including the looming relaxation of regulations starting on 1 May.
The additional two weeks of lockdown, Mkhize said, allowed the country to screen a lot more people.
Mkhize rebuffed claims in the media that the mathematical models the government used were “flawed”, saying they are done by a number of groups.
Protective gear
Mkhize said about 135 medical staff members have been infected with the virus. He said the government was investigating the sources of the infection of each case.
He said only one health worker had died, which was an elderly Limpopo doctor who was working part time.
Regarding concerns surrounding protective gear for medical staff, Mkhize said the country will face some challenges with stock, but was confident there is enough to go around at the moment.
He said the government was looking to negotiate with other countries in getting more protective gear.
Unemployed doctors, and Cuban doctors
Mkhize said the government is looking at clearing the backlog of unemployed doctors, and he has informed provinces to “go ahead” with employing doctors who are looking for placement.
He said the government is still looking for more doctors.
Mkhize said there is a group of doctors who qualified overseas who are without work. They have not yet been registered with the Health Professionals Council of South Africa (HPCSA). He said those “are not possible to employ” until they’ve passed relevant examinations and gone through the process.
Mkhize supported the incoming of 217 Cuban doctors, adding that they will “not be taking anybody’s post”. He said Cuban doctors will be spread across all provinces.
Comorbidities
Mkhize added that studies have shown that there is a “strong” correlation of death and serious Covid-19 illness when a person has already-existing “comorbidities” - existing ailments - especially hypertension, diabetes and obesity. Lung diseases are also associated ailments that deteriorates a person’s condition when they contract the virus.
More than one-third of South Africans, for example, have hypertension, Mkhize said, adding that all these so-called comorbidities were common in South Africa.
It is not clear yet, however, how those living with HIV/Aids cope with Covid-19.
Mkhize said South Africa’s mortality rate is around 1,9%, probably because the majority of people who contracted the virus are on the younger side.
Meanwhile, there have been three more deaths, taking the death toll to 93. All deaths were elderly people from the Western Cape with “underlying challenges”, Mkhize said.
New cases
The minister announced that the country was just on the cusp of 5 000 positive cases, sitting at 4 996 as of Tuesday night.
Mkhize said the number of tests being done is “rapidly increasing” thanks to the government’s community testings and screenings.
To put this into perspective, in the first week of March, when the first cases were announced, about 430 tests were done. The following week it was doubled. In the first week of April, however, it was as high as 8 200 across the private and public sector.
There are three groups of people who are being tested: those in the private sector, public sector, and those who are being referred from community screenings.
Kerushun Pillay
22:30
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When the decisions are taken many factors get considered. From the point of view of the health department there is no reason why smoking would be recommended for anything. Mkhize elaborates on how smoking can complicate the ill-health of anybody.
22:19
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Any treatment on Covid-19 is to help the individual, so that they can be treated properly and tthe isolation is to ensure they don't infect other people.
21:10
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#Covid19SA : Min. Mkhize says that the Cuban doctors will be spread across the country based on the weight of the outbreak:
We have gone out to seek assistance from Cuba and China. It’s in this context we have yesterday received 217 Drs of various training and professions. They are augmenting our resources. They have a strength in community medicine and their presence is very helpful.
GRAPHIC | Western Cape cases rise to 1 778: Why Cape Town is the new national hot spot
The Western Cape's total number of cases has increased to a total of 1
778 cases, with the Cape Town metro accounting for 1 508 of those, said
Premier Alan Winde.
The province, the epicentre for Covid-19 in
the country, also recorded another two deaths - two men aged 79 and 58.
Both had co-morbidities.
As govt scrambles to save academic year, safety-first calls grow
While the country awaits an update from the Department of Basic
Education on how it plans to reopen schools post lockdown, unions
believe there are outstanding issues that need to be considered before
any moves are finalised and revealed to the public.
Basic
Education Minister Angie Motshekga and her higher education counterpart,
Blade Nzimande, were expected to hold a virtual media briefing on
Monday, but it was postponed the day before.
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Over 5 000 contacts complete 14-day monitoring process in Gauteng
More than 5 000 contacts - people who have come into contact with
those who tested positive for Covid-19 - in Gauteng have completed the
14-day monitoring process without showing any symptoms, the province's
Department of Health said.
As a result, 5 204 contacts out of 8 251 traced have since returned from isolation.
14 people discharged from Eastern Cape hospital after recovering
Fourteen of 16 coronavirus patients admitted to Glen Grey Hospital in
Lady Frere in the Eastern Cape almost two weeks ago, have been
discharged, according to the provincial health department.
They were discharged on their 11th day in hospital, spokesperson Sizwe Kupelo said on Tuesday.
17:29
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A large volume of personal protective equipment (PPE) for South Africa's frontline health workers recently entered the country.
The
order arrived on Thursday evening and includes two million surgical
masks and 216 000 KN95 respirators. On Monday, a further 784 000 KN95
respirators and 550 000 surgical masks arrived.
How you can help restaurants, bars and other small businesses during the lockdown
Several platforms have been launched since the start of the
national Covid-19 lockdown to support small businesses forced to close –
and which may have trouble opening up again.
Most of these let you purchase vouchers which can be used once restaurants, bars, and other businesses reopen.
Not enough food parcels for Mamelodi West residents
Scores of Mamelodi West residents who packed the Mamelodi Baptist
Church in Pretoria on Tuesday hoping to get a food parcel, had to be
asked to leave after the parcels ran out.
The Collen Mashawana
Foundation was in the area to distribute food parcels, masks and clothes
to residents and those housed at the church.
16:12
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'It's frightening' - police union worried as 3 more stations 'relocate' services
Three more Western Cape police stations had to "relocate" their
services for Covid-19 decontamination, leaving the SA Policing Union
(SAPU) worried about the safety of its members.
"It's frightening," said SAPU spokesperson Oscar Skommere.
Government is working to support small business affected by
the coronavirus lockdown through a variety of incentive schemes designed to
ease the load.
There are tax relief and financial support schemes for small
business and workers.
So far, R3.3 billion has been paid in UIF, but many
employers have not applied for funding to support their workers. In particular,
the labour department has found that some employers have to properly registered
their workers for UIF.
There are 140 000 spaza shops on the small business database
which will receive support.
In the tourism sector, hotels are not allowed to operate as
normal, and may not receive any new guests, unless it is part of the quarantine
or essential service programme.
Some telcos have reduced service and subscription fees, and
Minster in the Presidency Jackson Mthembu says that perhaps there should be
some kind of subscription holiday during the lockdown.
15:05
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Mthembu appeals to employers to apply for the UIF benefit
for the sake of workers
15:03
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There is a scheme to support bakeries and confectionaries,
says Ntshavheni
15:01
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Small businesses need to make arrangements with UIF. They
must acknowledge their debt.
"We should not punish the workers for irresponsible
employers."
15:00
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Employers must plan for adaptation in terms of risk, says
Nxesi.
Freelance workers fall outside the scope of the regulations
14:59
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Nxesi explains risk assessment companies must conduct
14:58
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Kubayi-Ngubane repeats that the details of level 4
activities will be announced later
14:56
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We will continue to engage with telcos in to reduce their
fees, says Mthembu.
Adds that a number of telcos have reduced fees. There has been no engagement with MultiChoice
14:50
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There is co-operation between ministries, says Ntshavheni
14:48
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There is a package of measures for small companies, says Nxesi
14:47
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There has been a call for more relief for restaurants
14:42
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Hotels are not meant to be receiving new clients, unless it
is for quarantine or for support of essential services
14:41
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Sectors which will be allowed to operate will be announced
and will be announced once it is finalised
14:41
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Final details will be announced after the move to level 4
14:37
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There are 140 000 spaza shops on the database with the
department
14:36
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Small Business Minister Khumbudzo Ntshavheni says spaza
shops have support and the department is working with Nedbank and the SA Post
Office
14:33
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The department does not pay a full salary, says Nxesi
14:31
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Some employers have helped employees, says Nxesi. Adds that
up to 250 000 workers have not claimed yet
14:30
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We don't just pay, we pay based on the payroll submitted by
employers says Minister Thulas Nxesi
14:29
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Minister Jackson Mthembu says that he can't answer whether
and to what degree cellphone tracking has been utilised so far
14:25
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Questions to ministers
14:22
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R530 million set aside for support of SMMEs, R235 million
approved, resulting in the protection of over 11 000 jobs
14:21
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Occupational health and safety directions for workers
developed
14:19
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UIF is working around the clock to meet capacity.
Agent numbers increased from 75 to 400 to help meet demand
