PRESS RELEASE

June 17, 2020

NMBM EXECUTIVE MAYOR ON A 14 DAY QUARINTINE AS A PRECAUTION AGAINST COVID-19

The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality would like to inform residents and stakeholders that the Executive Mayor, Councillor Thsonono Buyeye and his staff, have gone into a 14-day quarantine period. 

This follows the sad news of the Covid-19 related death of one of the mayor's close protectors. The Executive Mayor would like to send his deepest condolences to the family of the deceased official. 

"This was devastating news for the mayoral office and myself personally. We wish his family strength and forbearance in this difficult time of loss and mourning. In his name and those of many others in Nelson Mandela Bay who have lost their lives to this disease, we will intensify our efforts to fight against this pandemic.

"I have decided to submit myself for a 14-day quarantine period. This is not just a  protocol issue: it is done to protect everyone who works for and interact with the mayoral office," said executive mayor Buyeye.

The executive mayor will continue to perform his duties from home, using a variety of communication platforms and interaction strategies. 

The municipality is working around the clock to make sure that the workplace is safe for its employees, councillors, ratepayers, residents and any other stakeholders who may be coming to our offices for service. Municipal employees have been provided with relevant personal protective clothing and municipal workplaces are consistently sanitised. 

In municipal workplaces where a positive Covid-19 case or cases have been identified, strict guidelines from the Municipal Public Health Department and the Provincial Department of Health are followed without fail.  

These include the decontamination of offices/workplaces and tools; the screening of colleagues who are contacts; a 14 day quarantine period; and the testing of those who are showing Covid-19 symptoms.  

Our ratepayers, stakeholders and residents at large are encouraged to use electronic and digital means of communication during this time to avoid unnecessary contact and overcrowding.       

Different communication methods and platforms are consistently advertised on the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Facebook and Twitter pages for your convenience.   

The Municipality calls on all residents and visitors within Nelson Mandela Bay to, wash their hands, wear a face mask, keep a social distance, don't attend gatherings and respect lockdown Level 3 regulations.  

The above measures are the only practical and simple defence we have against the invisible Covid-19 pandemic.   

Issued by Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Communications Office. 

'We're not designed for Covid-19': Staff at EC psychiatric hospital living in fear

Staff members at a psychiatric hospital in the Eastern Cape have spoken of their fear amid Covid-19 cases at the institution as well as a rise in cases in the province.

Provincial health department spokesperson Sizwe Kupelo admitted this week cases were going to rise at hospitals, saying fear and anxiety were causing panic among staff.

Covid-19 wrap: Beijing cancels flights, WHO hails steroid as 'lifesaving scientific breakthrough'

India's official coronavirus death toll leapt by more than 2 000 to reach 11 903 and has now recorded 354 065 cases.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern appointed the military to oversee New Zealand's borders after Covid-19 re-entered the country.

With 740 new deaths, the US has seen more people die from the pandemic than died in World War I.

Coronavirus breakthrough drug is made in SA – and costs only R150 an injection

A cheap steroid, which is available from R149 an injection in South Africa, has been hailed as a breakthrough treatment to reduce fatalities among severely ill Covid-19 patients.

OPINION | Africa outperforms world economies in coronavirus mayhem

Obscured by the myriad stories of coronavirus global devastation are three headlines from the continent with no shortage of epidemics, man-made and natural disasters. That would be Africa. Of its 54 countries, six are among the top 10 fastest-growing economies in the world this year.

Coronavirus morning update: Warning from Mkhize, latest on testing and treatment

Health minister warns of spike in Covid-19 deaths and infections in coming days; a top scientist's views on testing; and a drug shows promise in treating the coronavirus.

This is what you should know about the widely available drug that is inexpensive, on the shelf, and can be used immediately to save the lives of severely ill patients suffering from coronavirus:

• The steroid dexamethasone has been found to reduce the risk of dying of coronavirus for critically ill patients, according to trial results.
• It is the first and only drug that has made a significant difference to patient mortality for Covid-19.
• The drug was administered to more than 2 000 severely ill patients in the UK.
• It reduced deaths by 35 percent among those who could only breathe with the help of a ventilator; and by one-fifth in other patients receiving oxygen only.
• The trial showed dexamethasone to be ineffective in treating patients with milder forms of the novel coronavirus.
• Dexamethasone is an anti-inflammatory.
• In a pill form, this medication is available in a variety of tablet sizes.
• Dexamethasone may also be given by infusion into a vein.
• It is normally used to treat a range of allergic reactions as well as rheumatoid arthritis and asthma.
• Common side effects of taking Dexamethasone include increased appetite, irritability, insomnia, fluid retention, muscle weakness and increased blood sugar levels.
• Dexamethasone also go by trade names such as Decadron, Dexasone, Diodex, Hexadrol, Maxidex.

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Here are some of our top stories of the day:

Mkhize warns of spike in Covid-19 deaths and infections in coming days

Health Minister Zweli Mkhize said, in coming days, the country would see a rise in infections, more people would be hospitalised, and many would lose their lives. 

He said, to deal with the virus, it was no longer about what government says, but that it was about each individual. Mkhize also said citizens needed to build a culture of ensuring that they wear masks, wash hands and maintain physical distance. 

Covid-19: Re-testing previously diagnosed people before returning to work is 'nonsense' - scientist

people who did not meet a strict criteria for targeted testing should not be tested, says Professor Wolfgang Preiser, the head of division of medical virology at the Department of Pathology at the University of Stellenbosch.

"Going forward it will be vital to avoid testing patients that do not fulfil the criteria or, even worse, people who are not patients, for example, those who may have been exposed and need to be quarantined," he said. 

Malema: We will hold Ramaphosa responsible for any loss of lives

EFF leader Julius Malema says President Cyril Ramaphosa will be held personally liable for the loss of lives as a result of the coronavirus because he recklessly reopened the economy.

Speaking in a virtual Youth Day rally, Malema called for the reinstatement of the ban on alcohol saying the protection of life must valued over the desire for profit.

"We have warned Cyril Ramaphosa, who has constituted himself as an ally of white-monopoly capital and the coronavirus, that he will be held personally responsible for the loss of life that is going to happen as a result of his decisions," Malema said. 

Ramaphosa tells youth to rebuild economy after Covid-19

President Cyril Ramaphosa says there has to be life beyond the Covid-19 pandemic.

Ramaphosa was addressing a virtual Youth Day discussion on Tuesday focused on the Covid-19 pandemic, and he encouraged young people to take the lead in turning around the economy.

"We are looking forward to innovation and creativity and new ideas from young people. We want young people who are going to speak out and step forward. Covid-19 is pregnant with opportunities. So, I am throwing a challenge to young people to begin to see post-Covid-19. We need to set up different ways of running our economy, the ownership of the economy and managing our economy," he said.

OPINION | 4 key domains where young people have a powerful role to play amid Covid-19 crisis

It had been predicted that African countries could be hardest hit by the Covid-19 pandemic. The lack of resources and strained healthcare services on the continent make coordinated and systemic responses challenging.

Moreover, African youth have the energy, the passion and the innovative mindsets to address many of the issues caused by the crisis.

Young people, when united, have enormous power and collective mobilisation – as South Africa’s history shows us.

We are reminded on Youth Day of the young people who, on 16 June 1976, took to the streets of Soweto and initiated a movement, setting in motion a chain of events that would ultimately contribute towards the demise of the apartheid state.

Youth Day reminds us of the role the young people have played in the past to drive change. In a world that is battling the Covid-19 pandemic, their vibrant energy and mobilising ability is needed more than ever – especially on the African continent.https://t.co/g9caqwADrt

— News24 (@News24) June 16, 2020

Global Covid-19 wrap : Potential Covid-19 treatment 'breakthrough', new cluster outbreak in China

China's capital was facing an "extremely severe" coronavirus threat on Tuesday, as New Zealand reported its first new infections in almost a month and fears mounted that the deadly pandemic is still far from under control.

More than eight million people have now been infected with the virus worldwide since it first emerged in China late last year - with more than 436 813 deaths - and the tolls are still surging in Latin America and South Asia.

However, British researchers were hailing a potential "major breakthrough" on Tuesday with a steroid treatment saving the lives of one-third of seriously ill patients in clinical trials.

British officials said patients would immediately have access to the steroid, dexamethasone.

It will be great news if dexamethasone, a cheap steroid, really does cut deaths by 1/3 in ventilated patients with COVID19, but after all the retractions and walk backs, it is unacceptable to tout study results by press release without releasing the paper. https://t.co/ZP5GVMUCW3

— Atul Gawande (@Atul_Gawande) June 16, 2020

Even without an effective treatment, caseloads and death rates have declined across Europe.

The UK, however, is still struggling with the world's third largest outbreak and New Zealand said the two new cases reported there were recent arrivals from Britain.

The South Pacific nation had declared last week that it had ended community transmission of the virus.

European countries are eager to drop coronavirus restrictions to save the imminent summer tourist season, but Spain warned that it may quarantine British visitors should the UK persist with its plan to quarantine all overseas arrivals.

And the latest reminder of the threat came from China, which had largely brought its outbreak under control, as 27 new infections were reported in Beijing, where a new cluster linked to a wholesale food market has sparked mass testing and neighbourhood lockdowns.

"The epidemic situation in the capital is extremely severe," Beijing city spokesman Xu Hejian warned, as the number of confirmed infections soared to 106.

While these cases have caused concern about a resurgence in countries that had suppressed their outbreaks, the disease is gaining momentum in other regions with massive populations.

Known infections in India have crossed 330 000, and already stretched authorities are bracing for the monsoon season, which causes outbreaks of illnesses such as dengue fever and malaria every year.

Vastly experienced doctor Vidya Thakur, medical superintendent at Mumbai's Rajawadi Hospital, is used to managing "heavy burdens", she says.

But Covid-19 "has left us helpless... and the monsoon will make things even more difficult", she says.

New Zealand reports first new virus cases in 25 days

New Zealand reported its first new cases of coronavirus in almost a month on Tuesday when two recent arrivals from Britain tested positive after being released early from quarantine to visit a dying relative.

The South Pacific nation, which has recorded only 22 deaths among a population of five million, declared last week it had eliminated community Covid-19 transmission - allowing it to relax social distancing measures and rely on strict border controls.One of the two women - who travelled from Britain via Doha and Brisbane - showed mild symptoms after landing at Auckland airport on 7 June, but her symptoms were ascribed to a pre-existing condition, local media reported.

The pair were allowed to leave two-week isolation early on 13 June on compassionate grounds and drove by car to Wellington, making contact with no one on the way, health department director-general Ashley Bloomfield said.

He said they tested positive after arriving in Wellington and were in isolation, along with the only relative they had contact with in the capital.

Officials immediately began tracking anyone that came in contact with the pair, aged in their 30s and 40s.

Bloomfield said he was not fearful the cases could lead to a fresh outbreak because systems were in place to trace their movements.

"A new case is something we hoped we wouldn't get, but it's also something we expected and have planned for," he told reporters.

AFP

Covid-19 wrap: International news

More than 8 million confirmed coronavirus cases worldwide: AFP tally

More than 8 million cases of novel coronavirus have been confirmed worldwide, with more than half in the United States and Europe, according to an AFP tally from official sources at 22:00 GMT on Monday.

At least 8 000 202 infections including 435 176 deaths, mostly in Europe, have been registered since the pandemic first emerged in China late last year.

Europe has 2 417 902 cases with 188 085 deaths. The USA has 2 110 182 cases and 116 081 deaths.

The number of confirmed cases has doubled since 10 May and another one million new cases have been detected in the last eight days.

That likely represents only a fraction of the real number of infections because most countries are only testing the most serious cases or only have limited testing capacity.

AFP

Latin America and Caribbean pass 80 000 Covid-19 deaths: AFP tally

Latin America and the Caribbean on Monday passed 80 000 Covid-19 deaths, more than half in Brazil as the virus accelerates across the region, according to an AFP count based on official figures.

Since the disease first spread in Latin America in March, a total of 80 505 deaths have been recorded, of which 43 959 occurred in Brazil, the second country in the world in number of fatalities after the United States.

AFP

Beijing reports 27 new virus cases as WHO warns of cause for 'concern'

China on Tuesday reported another 27 domestically transmitted coronavirus cases in Beijing, where a fresh cluster linked to a wholesale food market has sparked WHO concern and prompted a huge trace and test programme.

The new cases bring the number of infections confirmed in the Chinese capital over the last five days to 106, as city officials locked down more than 20 communities in the city and tested tens of thousands of people.

The National Health Commission also reported four new domestic infections in Hebei province, which surrounds Beijing, plus another in southwestern Sichuan province.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) said the new cluster was a cause for concern, given Beijing's size and connectivity.

"A cluster like this is a concern and it needs to be investigated and controlled - and that is exactly what the Chinese authorities are doing," WHO emergencies director Mike Ryan said.

AFP

Less than 400 US virus deaths in 24 hours for 2nd day: Johns Hopkins

The United State recorded less than 400 coronavirus-related deaths in 24 hours for the second day in a row, according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University.

There were 385 new deaths at 00:30 on Tuesday, the tracker run by the Baltimore-based university showed, after a 24-hour toll of 382 the day before.This is the lowest daily death toll since the end of March.

AFP

Fears of a Covid-19 second wave, DA and govt back in court over lockdown, 'nauseating' conditions at some hospitals

Here are today’s top stories

The WHO has warned countries to remain on high alert after more than 100 cases were recorded in Beijing, China, amid concern around a fresh outbreak. No new deaths have been recorded, however.

Top attorney Comfort Ngidi has written to KwaZulu-Natal’s three top universities threatening them with legal action if they don’t produce a plan to reopen. Ngidi, who is a father of four children at three different universities, claims he has tried to engage with universities on their reopening plans, to no avail.

The government has responded in court to an application filed by the DA to challenge the constitutionality of the Disaster Management Act, and wants the court to dismiss the application with costs.

Medical staff at some Eastern Cape hospitals have complained of unhygienic working conditions. Some staff members at one hospital have engaged in a go-slow because of a shortage of protective gear. 

Meanwhile, Eastern Cape health workers have complained of having to wait up to a month to get Covid-19 test results. In comparison, a province like Western Cape waits just a few days. Gauteng, meanwhile, is resorting to using private labs to process tests.

As members of the beauty industry continue to suffer being unable to work, one hairstylist has begun writing protest slogans in his hair. Onele Cembi has begun using his dreadlocks to write slogans in protest of not being able to work.

Stay informed with News24

Special report | We remember those who died of Covid-19.
Talking point | How does the economic fallout under Covid-19 affect my pension?
Stay safe | Advice for keeping safe in supermarkets, schools and on public transport
FAQs | News24 answers all your questions
Checklist | These are the first symptoms
Rolling coverage | All the latest Covid-19 news in one place

- Compiled by Kerushun Pillay

Over 100 cases in new Beijing Covid-19 outbreak: WHO

More than 100 cases of the novel coronavirus have been officially recorded in the fresh outbreak in Beijing, the World Health Organisation said on Monday.

As lockdown restrictions ease and countries in Europe lifted their borders, the WHO warned countries to stay on alert for a possible resurgence of COVID-19 infections.

The UN health agency said it understood no new deaths have been reported thus far in the Chinese capital but added that given Beijing's size and connectivity, the outbreak was a cause for concern.

Woman dies at Cape Town retirement village hit by Covid-19 despite precautions

One woman died at Bellville's Oude Westhof retirement facility and more than 40 residents and staff have contracted Covid-19, village manager Gerhard van der Merwe said on Monday.

This was despite the strict safety measures the facility introduced even before the lockdown was implemented at the end of March.

In spite of all the village's efforts, the numbers of people who contracted the coronavirus grew and last week, one of the residents died.

Covid-19: Medical student who died in Cuba to finally be buried on after his body arrives home

Medical student Sibusiso Qongqo who died in Cuba, will be buried on Youth Day alongside his grandfathers at his ancestral Cofimvaba home in the Eastern Cape, his family told News24 on Monday. 

News24 previously reported that Qongqo died on 29 April - 15 days after celebrating his 28th birthday, following a short illness.

Driving with J9: The 90-day grace period does NOT apply to all expired licences

•The 90-day grace period is not for ALL expired licences.

• Renew your expired vehicle or driver's licence as soon as possible.

• There are no penalties, but there are arrears fees to be paid.

Lockdown travel update: Gautrain airport service opens, FlySafair starts new Lanseria route

On Monday, FlySafair and Mango become the latest airlines to take to the skies on domestic routes, while the Gautrain finally also resumed its airport service.

ANALYSIS | Here's who has been hit hardest by SA's lockdown

In trying to limit the spread of Covid-19, policymakers globally have the difficult task of balancing the positive health effects of lockdowns against their economic costs, particularly the burdens lockdowns impose on low-income and food-insecure households.

Low-income workers have been hit hardest, and the biggest shocks were to mining, service and non-essential industries.

Western Cape, Gauteng and Eastern Cape hint at reinstating alcohol ban

Premiers of the Eastern Cape, Western Cape and Gauteng have warned its citizens against the abuse of alcohol during the lockdown.

Of the three, Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane has stated that he wants the ban on liquor reinstated.

Covid-19 wrap: Indian city to reimpose lockdown, virus impact could kill 51 000 children in MENA

- A lockdown will be reimposed on Friday on some 15 million people in the Indian city of Chennai.

- UN agencies warned that the coronavirus pandemic could lead to the deaths of an additional 51 000 under-fives.

- Norway's health authorities said they had suspended an app designed to help trace the spread of the new coronavirus.

Lockdown: Trust in Ramaphosa down by almost 10%, while 63% say no to booze sales - survey

Trust in President Cyril Ramaphosa's leadership is declining, and fewer people agree that Ramaphosa is taking the lead in managing the Covid-19 pandemic, research by Ask Afrika has shown.

The survey also shows that many people are experiencing financial difficulties and food insecurity.

UIF coronavirus payouts: Some employers may have stolen cash meant for workers

Amid reports of companies stealing Covid-19 payouts meant for workers, the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) has appointed auditors to "follow the money trail".

"It is alleged that there are companies that have not paid the workers what is due to them. We are aware of some companies allegedly loaning employees the money and that is not legal. We are also aware of other companies that are allegedly paying part of the money and not the full amount, as well as companies using the money for something else other than the intended purpose,” said the Minister of Employment and Labour Thulas Nxesi in a statement.

More than 100 000 matrics are in line for free TVs, thanks to a coronavirus plan

On Monday the Universal Service and Access Agency of South Africa (Usaasa) published a fast-track tender for local manufacturers that can supply 32-inch HD LED TVs for indigent grade 12 pupils across the country.

Usaasa anticipates that the TVs will be delivered over a period of two months. 

Covid-19 wrap: Paris restaurants reopen, coronavirus changing the way Londoners get to work

- Restaurant and cafe owners in Paris get back to business.

- Getting to work will be even more of a challenge following the United Kingdom's coronavirus lockdown.

- British energy giant BP will take a hit of between $13-17.5 billion in the second quarter on "sustained" coronavirus fallout.