- 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.

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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.

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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.

Covid-19 wrap: Virus already in Italy by December, UK unveils 1 billion schools 'catch-up' plan

- The coronavirus was already present in northern Italy in December, over two months before the first case was detected.

- British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said English schools would receive $1.2bn in funding to help pupils catch up.

- Shops and cafes reopened in Singapore as measures were relaxed - but were warned "not to go overboard celebrating".

More than 25% of tenants are not paying rent – but that’s actually not as bad as predicted

From 82% before the crisis, the percentage of tenants who are paying their rent fell to 73% during lockdown.

While this is a big deterioration, it is not quite as bad as expected, says the CEO of TPN, the biggest credit bureau that tracks tenant payments.

Lockdown: Asylum seekers and special permit holders can now receive Covid-19 relief grant

The Gauteng High Court in Pretoria has granted a court order that allows asylum seekers and special permit holders to receive the Covid-19 Social Relief of Distress grant, Scalabrini Centre said.

The order allows them to receive the grant subject to Sassa's criteria and even if their documents expired during the lockdown.

Covid-19: AU hails 'African jewel' as continental medical supplies platform launched

African leaders have lauded the launch of the continent's first medical supplies platform as the "jewel in the crown of Pan-African cooperation".

On Thursday, African Union (AU) chairperson President Cyril Ramaphosa, AU Commission chairperson Moussa Faki and the director of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) Dr John Nkengasong held a media briefing, giving an update on the platform.

Masks, taxis and fear: How Covid-19 has changed Khayelitsha

The novel coronavirus has swept through Khayelitsha in the Western Cape. 

But so has fear. 

An elderly couple refuses to allow people to enter their yard.

"If we get Covid-19, it won’t be from someone entering our house," they said. 

What local experts say about dexamethasone - labelled as a 'breathrough' in Covid-19 treatment

A trial found dexamethasone to be life-saving for critically ill Covid-19 patients. But can we fully trust this drug to treat patients?

Three experts weigh in.

Coronavirus antibodies may disappear 2 to 3 months after people recover, a new study found

People who develop coronavirus-fighting antibodies might not keep them very long, especially if they didn't have symptoms.

After just a few months, recovered coronavirus patients may rapidly lose antibodies - blood proteins that fight off the virus and can prevent reinfection - according to a study published Thursday in the journal Nature Medicine.

Coronavirus morning update: Latest on Western Cape testing, as peak gets 'closer and closer'

The Western Cape government has announced that it has cleared the province's Covid-19 testing backlog, as the province gets "closer and closer" to the peak.

Lockdown | 'We don't trust the government': DA on why it is going ahead with court bids

The DA says it is wary about the government making a U-turn on the decision to reopen salons and the personal care industry, lest "what happened with tobacco sales happens again."

The Covid-19 death toll has hit 1 737, while the number of cases now sits at 83 890.

The total number of recoveries is now 44 920.

Here are today’s top stories

The Western Cape - the country’s Covid-19 epicentre - is expecting to hit its peak of cases in the coming weeks, the provincial government has said. Meanwhile, the province has managed to clear its testing backlog, which was reportedly around 96 000 tests.

Meanwhile, the Western Cape government believes the influx of tourists in the province may have led to it seeing an faster peak of Covid-19 cases in relation to the other provinces.

Limpopo is facing a sudden surge in Covid-19 cases, and this has prompted questions about whether people and organisations have been properly adhering to safety protocols.

Covid-19 outbreaks at Western Cape retirement homes is taking a toll on the elderly and staff members. Care workers told us that they were struggling with the stress of keeping elderly residents and staff safe.

A fifth nun has died at an Eastern Cape convent which is suffering a Covid-19 outbreak. The Precious Blood Sisters convent, which doubles as an old age home, has now been turned into a quarantine site.

China has restricted travel for a section of its population as it attempts to rein in a possible second wave of Covid-19 outbreaks. The country has already locked down parts of Beijing and made several restrictions to curb a possible outbreak.

And finally, some local casinos will be removing the seat of every second slot machine and enforcing physical distancing - and hotel staff will not handle luggage, as those sectors prepare to reopen. Some establishments will do temperature screenings and disinfect rooms once patrons check out.

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

No flowers, disinfected chips and paper menus — here’s how Sun hotels, casinos will re-open

After being closed for almost three months, Sun International hotels and casinos are preparing to re-open. On Wednesday, President Cyril Ramaphosa’s announced that restaurants and casinos can do business during Level 3 of lockdown. 

No date has been given for when these establishments will be allowed to open. Sun International will stagger the re-opening of its hotels and casinos – including Sun City, Boardwalk, Carnival City, The Maslow Sandton, Wild Coast Sun, GrandWest and The Table Bay Hotel – as soon as the date is announced.

In preparation, every second seat at casino slot machines and tables has been removed to create space between customers.

Pictured: Two showgirls pose for a photo at the reopening of Flamingo Las Vegas. (Denise Truscello/Getty Images for Caesars Entertainment)

Trevor Manuel's mother, Philma, dies of Covid-19, aged 94

Philma Manuel turned 94 on Sunday. She died on Thursday.

According to a statement issued by the ANC in the Western Cape, Philma Manuel was a garment worker who was widowed when her husband died in 1969. At the time, Trevor Manuel was 13.

She raised Trevor and his sisters, Pamela, Beryl and Renecia, as a single parent.

Health workers sound alarm bells as virus spirals

Health workers across the Western Cape and Eastern Cape are struggling with a surge in coronavirus patients as the country hurtles towards an expected disease peak in July.

The Eastern Cape has recorded the third-highest number of coronavirus infections in South Africa, accounting for nearly one in seven cases.

Health officials claim the disease spread from neighbouring Western Cape province, home to almost 60% of cases and around three-quarters of registered deaths.

Ramaphosa takes 'rain check' when quizzed about Covid-19 corruption

President Cyril Ramaphosa took a "rain check" when asked how many ANC councillors have been arrested for Covid-19-related corruption and challenged any Chapter 9 institution to approach the Constitutional Court if they feel the executive interferes in their functioning.

Ramaphosa was responding to questions during a hybrid sitting of the National Assembly on Thursday afternoon when DA interim leader John Steenhuisen asked him how many ANC councillors have been arrested for corruption with the distribution of food parcels.