eNCA confirms that anchor, Shahan Ramkissoon, has tested positive for Covid-19.

According to a statement released by eNCA Shahan started feeling ill last week and was advised to go for testing on Friday.

His results came back on Monday, 22 June and he will remain off-air and in self-isolation until the end of the stipulated 14-day period.

The eNCA anchor is part of a team based in the channel's Johannesburg office isolation studio that was set up eight weeks ago as part of the broadcaster's disaster management plan.

Coronavirus cases worldwide pass 9 million - AFP tally

More than nine million people have now been infected with the coronavirus worldwide, according to an AFP tally drawing on official sources, as of Monday 15:20 GMT.

More than half of the 9 000 091 cases are in Europe and the United States: Europe having recorded 2 537 451 and the United States 2 281 903.

The number of cases worldwide has doubled since May 16 and more than a million new cases have been recorded in the past seven days.

The official figures nevertheless reflect only a fraction of the true number, as many countries only test serious cases.

- AFP

132 Eastern Cape schools closed due to Covid-19

The Eastern Cape education department was forced to close 196 schools since reopening on 8 June due to Covid-19, with 132 of those still shut, the Office of the Premier has said.

Of the 196, 40 have reopened after they were decontaminated, said spokesperson Mvusiwekhaya Sicwetsha.

Covid-19 wrap: 468 518 global deaths, 'accelerating' pandemic warning, Paris festival flouts measures

The novel coronavirus has killed at least 468 518 people since the outbreak began in China last December, according to a tally from official sources compiled by AFP as of 11:00 (GMT) on Monday.

Covid-19: Social development dept needs more money from Treasury to pay asylum seekers R350 grant

The Department of Social Development says it has no other option but to turn to National Treasury to give effect to a High Court ruling compelling government to include asylum seekers and special permit holders in its Covid-19 relief grant.

This came after a rough estimate showed it would need R700 million to successfully pay out the R350 grant, which is part of government's emergency measures to provide some relief for people not receiving any form of assistance or income as the country battles the coronavirus.

eNCA anchor tests positive for Covid-19

eNCA on Monday confirmed that anchor, Shahan Ramkissoon, has tested positive for Covid-19.

The eNCA anchor is part of a team based in the channel's Johannesburg office isolation studio that was set up eight weeks ago as part of the broadcaster's disaster management plan.

"Shahan started feeling ill last week and was advised to go for testing on Friday. His results came back on Monday, 22 June 2020. He will remain off-air and in self-isolation until the end of the stipulated 14-day period," eNCA said in a statement.

The company is undertaking the necessary track and tracing process to identify potentially exposed staff members.

Lost your motivation to eat healthy and exercise during the pandemic? You are not alone

We are now almost three months into lockdown, and unhealthy habits are starting to take their toll.

Struggling to get your healthy routine back on track as the Covid-19 pandemic drags on? It's understandable, but luckily, there are ways to regain your motivation. 

BREAKING | Three Stellenbosch FC staff members test positive for coronavirus

Three staff members from Absa Premiership side Stellenbosch FC have tested positive for the coronavirus after undergoing the Premier Soccer League's (PSL) first round of testing.

All top-flight clubs from the Absa Premiership and GladAfrica Championship are required to undergo testing as part of the PSL's directive on a return to training which was approved by Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Nathi Mthethwa.

Cricket South Africa confirms 7 positive coronavirus cases

Cricket South Africa (CSA) has confirmed that mass coronavirus testing within the organisation has revealed seven positive cases.

As the organisation looks to get cricket back on the field and on television sets, it is implementing strict return to play safety guidelines and part of that process included testing. 

OPINION | A day in the life of a Covid-19 clinic on the Cape Flats

A doctor on the front line of the Covid-19 war, writes anonymously from a community health centre on the Cape Flats.

There are no heroes in community health centres. Just tired doctors and nurses waiting for help. And mountains of quiet paperwork, for the living and the dead.

Covid-19 wrap: Brazil deaths pass 50 000, second wave fears hit Melbourne and US records more deaths

Brazil on Sunday said it had registered more than 50 000 deaths from the coronavirus outbreak as well as about one million infections, as the second worst-affected country in the world struggles to control the disease.

Cyril Ramaphosa | 'Difficult decisions and difficult days ahead' but 'we remain optimistic'

Dear Fellow South African, 

More than 100 days after the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in South Africa and two months after a nationwide lockdown, our economy is in the throes of the anticipated fallout from this global crisis.

The predictions of businesses shutting down and jobs being lost are materialising.

Even the advanced economies will contract substantially because of Covid-19 and it will take a long time for economic output to return to pre-pandemic levels.

At the same time, we remain optimistic.

Old lessons, new pandemic: ‘When we showed up to do Covid-19 testing, communities told us to pack our bags’

What happens to HIV prevention programmes during the coronavirus pandemic? Take a look at how South African projects went from performing medical male circumcisions to Covid-19 testing and screening in just days - and what they learned.

- A former US Food and Drug Administration Commissioner has warned that some US states, including Texas, Florida and Arizona, could start to see an "exponential" rise in coronavirus cases this coming week. Commissioner Scott Gottlieb sounded the alarm as the US death toll hit 119,959, according to the Johns Hopkins University tally.

- The World Health Organization reported a record increase in global coronavirus cases , with the total rising by 183,020 in a 24-hour period. The biggest increase was from North and South America with over 116,000 new cases, according to a daily WHO report on Sunday.

- Brazil, the world's No 2 coronavirus hot spot after the United States, officially passed 50,000 coronavirus deaths, with 50,617 death toll as of the end of Sunday. It has 1,085,038 total number of cases, according to the country's health ministry.

- Worldwide, at least 8.9 million people have been confirmed to have the coronavirus, At least 4.4 million have recovered, while more than 466,000 people have died, according to Johns Hopkins University.

(via Al Jazeera)

Coronavirus morning update: SA nearing 100 000 cases

Your latest coronavirus news: South Africa is nearing the 100 000 case mark in the Covid-19 pandemic, after 4 621 new cases were reported.

Covid-19 pandemic reaching 'peak' in Western Cape

The Covid-19 pandemic is reaching its "peak" in the Western Cape - and the elderly and ill have been urged to lock down.

SA heading towards 2 000 Covid-19 death

South Africa's Covid-19 death toll has surged to 1 930 as of Sunday, according to Health Minister Zweli Mhkize.

"Regrettably, we report a further 53 Covid-19 related deaths - 8 from Gauteng, 1 from KwaZulu Natal, 17 from Eastern Cape and 27 from Western Cape."

The cumulative number of confirmed Covid-19 cases is 97 302 with 4 621 new cases identified.

1 328 060 tests have been completed in total of which 34 452 new tests are reported.

---

Here is a selection of some of our top Sunday reads:

DA loses court bid to stop govt using race, BBBEE status as criteria for Covid-19 aid

A full High Court bench has dismissed the DA's bid to have government stop using BBBEE status, race, gender, age or disability in determining who will receive Covid-19 aid.

The court also ruled that the criteria used on who gets aid is unlawful and has been set aside because it is too vague. Minister of Small Business Development Khumbudzo Ntshavheni must redraft the criteria.

Booze stocks wane due to stockpiling

Liquor stores around the country are battling to keep up with the demand for stock of South Africans’ favourite tipple since the ban on the sale of alcohol was lifted on June 1.

One of the big favourites, especially during the winter months, is Sedgwicks Old Brown Sherry. Bottle stores nationwide are experiencing a shortage of the brand, which has been in circulation for more than 100 years.

Why are more men in the country dying of Covid-19 than women?

According to the country's statistics more men have so far succumbed to Covid-19 as opposed to women – and the toll the virus is taking on men is seemingly no different anywhere else in the world.

Experts told City Press that the situation was a cause for concern and necessitated honest, “real conversations” between health officials and men, as well as among men themselves, particularly since June is Men’s Health Month.

The great tobacco debate played out on social media

From the moment Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma announced that the ban on tobacco sales would not be lifted on April 29 until this week’s high court application to overturn the ban, debate between those for and those against the tobacco ban has raged on in social media conversations.

Trump blames China for 'Kung flu' Covid-19 pandemic

US President Donald Trump unleashed months of pent-up grievances about the coronavirus, which he dubbed the "Kung flu", a racist term for Covid-19, which originated in China.

He was speaking at the Tulsa rally which was his first rally since the country went into lockdown.

The virus has since killed nearly 120 000 Americans and caused huge disruption to a once booming economy - which had been Trump's strongest reelection selling point.

Midvaal Executive Mayor Bongani Baloyi makes the case for the need for private laboratories to provide and process Covid-19 tests for free for certain essential workers.

---

The emergence of Covid-19, caused by the coronavirus, has thrown the world into disarray, challenged the global order and upended accepted norms.

With reports of the first case found in Wuhan, China, and rapidly spreading to every corner of the world in just a few months, this disease has disrupted the lives of many, affected the entire world’s economy and led to a major medical crisis.

And our beloved country South Africa has not been immune to the wrath, as well as harsh outcomes, of this pandemic.

Emerging from an era of state capture, economic decline and kleptocratic governance, the country has suffered severe damage.

As an attempt to flatten the curve - and distilling a range of theories, advice and ideas - the South African government implemented the National Disaster Act, followed by a nationwide lockdown.

Since the nationwide lockdown was implemented and subsequently extended, South African employers and employees, familiarly categorised as essential workers, have continued to report to their workplaces for duty to rendering services.

With the country moving to Level 3 of the lockdown restrictions, more industries and employees have returned to work. However, there are certain obligations in terms of health and safety, as well as the obligations of employers in terms of protecting their employees and customers by preventing the spread of Covid-19.

The total number of people who have died from Covid-19 in South Africa has escalated to 1 877 on Saturday.

Health Minister Zweli Mkhize said that in the past 24 hours, there have been a further 32 deaths in the Western Cape, 11 in the Eastern Cape, and three in KwaZulu-Natal.

"As of today, the cumulative number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in South Africa is 92 681. The mortality rate is 2%. The number of recoveries is 50 326, which translates to a recovery rate of 54.3%. About 1 293 608 tests have been completed in total, of which 33 174 new tests are reported," said Mkhize.

Top stories today:

Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma is appealing the ruling which declared that all lockdown regulations were unconstitutional and invalid.

The national Department of Health says South Africa is in a "favourable" position to immediately roll out dexamethasone to all seriously ill Covid-19 patients.

The Gauteng Department of Health has raised concerns over Covid-19 cluster outbreaks transmitted through funeral gatherings.

Takealot has yanked "fake" masks that claim to offer guaranteed protection from infection.

Global Covid-19 wrap

Six members of a campaign advance team working in Tulsa ahead of Donald Trump's Saturday rally have tested positive for Covid-19, his campaign said hours before the president was set to take the stage.

Portuguese prosecutors said Saturday they had launched an investigation into a birthday party attended by scores of people which could have led to many new coronavirus infections.

Brazil reported a one-day record of nearly 55,000 infections, making it the second country to pass one million cases after the United States.

In another grim milestone, Europe chalked up more than 2.5 million cases, making it the worst-affected continent. 

Zimbabwe's health minister was Saturday charged with corruption related to the irregular awarding of a big contract to a new Dubai-based company for coronavirus testing and protective kits.

Chile nearly doubled its coronavirus death toll Saturday to more than 7,000 under a new tallying method that includes probable fatalities from Covid-19.

Greece announced on Saturday another extension of the coronavirus lockdown on its teeming migrant camps, hours after some 2,000 people protested in central Athens to mark World Refugee Day and denounce the government's treatment of migrants.

Swiss pharmaceuticals giant Novartis says it will halt a clinical trial of hydroxychloroquine as a treatment for Covid-19, citing problems in recruiting enough patients for the study of the controversial drug.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday hailed "hero" doctors who died during the coronavirus epidemic, comparing them to battlefield medics from past wars.

Dlamini-Zuma in bid to overturn unconstitutionality ruling of the lockdown regulations

The Gauteng High Court in Pretoria is expected to hear an appeal over the constitutionality and validity of the lockdown regulations ruling.

Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma is appealing the 2 June ruling by Judge Norman Davis who declared that all lockdown regulations were unconstitutional and invalid.

The hearing will be heard on Wednesday.

The coronavirus pandemic has killed at least 459,976 people worldwide. The United States has the most deaths with 119,131 followed by Brazil with 48,954, Britain with 42,461, Italy with 34,561 and France with 29,617. Here are the latest developments from around the world.

Brazil: one million infections

Brazil reports a one-day record of nearly 55,000 infections, making it the second country to pass one million cases after the United States.

Europe tops 2.5 million cases

In another grim milestone, Europe chalks up more than 2.5 million cases, making it the worst-affected continent. Almost half of those cases have been registered in Russia, Britain, Spain and Italy.

Trump mass rally

On the campaign trail, US President Donald Trump is to hold his first mass rally in months.

Some 19,000 people are expected to attend the event in Oklahoma, where they will have to sign a disclaimer to ensure Trump will not be held liable if they get sick.

Divisive drug

Swiss pharmaceuticals giant Novartis says it will halt a clinical trial of hydroxychloroquine as a treatment for Covid-19, citing problems in recruiting enough patients for the study of the controversial drug.

Peru GDP to plummet

Peru's central bank forecasts a 12.5-percent drop in the country's gross domestic product this year. Two million jobs have already been lost since a lockdown began there on March 16.

Putin hails Russian 'hero doctors' who died from virus

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday hailed "hero" doctors who died during the coronavirus epidemic, comparing them to battlefield medics from past wars.

This week the state health watchdog said nearly 500 Russian medics who tested positive for the coronavirus had died, a huge death toll compared with other countries with large outbreaks.

Brazil has become the second country to surpass 1 million COVID-19 cases

Brazil has become the second country to reach more than 1 million COVID-19 infections, after the United States surpassed 2 million infections earlier this month.

The country saw a major increase in cases on Friday, with 54,771 new infections - bringing the total number to 1,032,913, according to Sky News.

There were also 1,206 new deaths, bringing the total death toll to 48,954, the publication reports.

The novel coronavirus has killed at least 459,976 people since the outbreak began in China last December, according to a tally from official sources compiled by AFP as of 11:00 GMT on Saturday.

At least 8,680,640 cases of coronavirus have been registered in 196 countries and territories. Of these, at least 4,029,700 are considered recovered.

The tallies, using data collected by AFP from national authorities and information from the World Health Organization (WHO), probably reflect only a fraction of the actual number of infections.

Many countries are testing only symptomatic or the most serious cases.

The United States is the worst-hit country with 119,131 deaths from 2,222,576 cases. At least 606,715 people have been declared recovered.

The health department is ready to immediately roll out dexamethasone to seriously ill Covid-19 patients.

Health Minister Zweli Mkhize said there were three major suppliers of intravenous dexamethasone in the country. He added the drug had no benefit to patients who did not require an extra supply of oxygen.

Asset Forfeiture Unit strikes after R5m Covid-19 relief money paid into wrong account

The Gauteng High Court in Pretoria has granted the Asset Forfeiture Unit a preservation order for funds paid fraudulently or mistakenly into the bank account of one Tshepang Phohole.

New Development Bank approves US$1BN loan for SA

The New Development Bank – formerly called the BRICS Development Bank will be giving South Africa a US$1 billion loan to help the country fight the coronavirus pandemic.

WHO warns of virus danger as Brazil cases hit one million

The World Health Organization warned on Friday of a "new and dangerous phase" of the coronavirus pandemic, as infections continued to surge in the Americas, with Brazil registering more than one million cases.

Zimbabwe's health minister Obadiah Moyo was arrested on Friday for alleged corruption related to the supply of medical materials to combat the coronavirus pandemic, the anti-graft agency said.

Covid-19: Mpumalanga Education MEC worried about theft of PPE, water shortages in schools

Mpumalanga's Education MEC is worried about criminals targeting schools during the country's Covid-19 lockdown. One school has been burgled seven times since South Africa's lockdown first started towards the end of March.

Coronavirus morning update: Personal care services back, latest on dexamethasone, and WHO warning

The official rules for legal hair cuts, manicures, or tattoos; what local experts say on dexamethasone; and the WHO warns the world is in a "dangerous phase" of the pandemic.

Covid-19 breakthrough: SA in good position to immediately roll out dexamethasone

The national Department of Health says South Africa is in a "favourable" position to immediately roll out dexamethasone to all seriously ill Covid-19 patients.

On Friday evening, Health Minister Zweli Mkhize said the department had checked its stock and currently had around 300 000 ampoules, or vials, in the country.

The Covid-19 death toll has hit 1 831, while the number of cases now sits at 87 715.

The total number of recoveries is now 47 825.

Here are today’s top stories

It’s official! Hairdressers, barbers, beauty therapists, masseurs and tattoo and piercing artists will be allowed to operate by the time you read this, after the government gazetted new regulations. All need to follow strict protocols like wearing protective gear.

Pharmaceutical giant Aspen Pharmacare is set to scale up production of dexamethasone, after some research found it to be effective in reducing mortality rates among Covid-19 patients under ventilation.

Meanwhile, local experts have given their thoughts on dexamethasone, which this week was hailed as a possible breakthrough treating Covid-19. They say the medical fraternity is cautiously optimistic, but is waiting for further data.

World-renowned restaurant Wolfgat has been left feeling the strain of the pandemic. The restaurant, in Paternoster, outside Cape Town, shot to prominence when it was voted the world’s best restaurant. However, the lockdown has left the restaurant counting its losses.

As the Western Cape continues to account for the bulk of Covid-19 cases and deaths in the country, residents of Khayelitsha have spoken of their fears, with some saying they refuse to allow people to enter their yards.

The Department of Transport has allocated more than R1 billion of relief money to the taxi industry, which has had its operations hampered during the pandemic. Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula said this money was not for losses of revenue the industry felt during lockdown, but rather assistance from government.

Stay informed with News24

Special report | We remember those who died of Covid-19.
New Level 3 regulations | Here’s what will be allowed going forward.
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

Health dept to offer dexamethasone immediately

Health Minister Zweli Mkhize says his department is in a position to immediately offer patients dexamethasone, saying that the department has stock of about 300 000 ampoules - a vile containing a sample. 

Mkhize says the country has a good capacity of the medication, adding that it is manufactured here. 

He said the Ministerial Advisory Committee has issued an advisory to recommend the drug, or a similar medication, to patients on ventilators. 

News24 published earlier an article which said pharmaceutical giant Aspen Pharmacare is set to scale up production of dexamethasone, after some research found it to be effective in reducing mortality rates among Covid-19 patients under ventilation.

Meanwhile, local experts have given their thoughts on dexamethasone, which this week was hailed as a possible breakthrough treating Covid-19. They say the medical fraternity is cautiously optimistic, but is waiting for further data.

Here are the official rules for legal hair cuts, manicures, or tattoos

Personal care services – including hair salons – may legally open again from Friday night, after the publication of rules they must follow in the Government Gazette.

The rules are immediately in force, which means more than 80 days of prohibition on such services has also ended immediately.

All must follow the same strict hygiene protocols required of other businesses, albeit with some unique twists – and a handful of strange provisions.

UIF coronavirus payouts: Companies in revolt with 725 000 workers left unpaid

With applications for R3.2 billion in coronavirus payouts to more than 725 000 workers still left unpaid, employers and the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) are at loggerheads about who’s to blame.

Workers who are put on leave, have been laid off temporarily, or whose employers can’t afford to pay their full salaries due to the coronavirus crisis are entitled to Covid-19 Temporary Employer/Employee Relief Scheme (TERS) payouts.

Will Mboweni's emergency budget be a rejig of public finances, or an 'audacious' stimulus plan?

Finance Minister Tito Mboweni will table an emergency budget next week, which will provide details on plans to fund responses to the Covid-19 crisis.

This is no time for a "timid" or "underwhelming" budget, and the government will have to rise to the occasion to rebuild the economy, said Matthew Parks, parliamentary coordinator for labour federation Cosatu.

WATCH | Coronavirus through the eyes of South African children

Grade 7 students at Johannesburg's City Kidz Pre & Primary School share how they feel about the coronavirus, life during lockdown and their socially-distanced return to school.