ANALYSIS | Why is government not collecting statistics on smoking and Covid-19?

The government banned the sale of tobacco products, citing the relationship between smoking and Covid-19.But the government is not collecting data on hospitalised Covid-19 patients who are smokers, or smokers who have died of Covid-19.

Gauteng needs to learn prevention strategies from Western Cape as Covid-19 peak looms - Health Forum

If there is anything Gauteng needs to learn and implement from the Western Cape as the Covid-19 peak looms, it must be prevention strategies.

This is according to the Progressive Health Forum's, Dr Aslam Dasoo, who told News24 that Gauteng's trend of a spike in cases was similar to that of the Western Cape in the past two months.

He said the difference was, however, that in Gauteng, the curve seemed to be getting much steeper. 

Covid-19: Heartbreak as dad dies 4 days after beloved wife, the morning of her funeral

Eva and Neville Herold, who had both tested positive for the coronavirus, died four days apart.The couple, from Strandfontein in Cape Town, had been married for 45 years. Their adult children are in isolation, and described them as inseparable.

Coronavirus morning update: Mkhize warns on lockdown; and shocking claims about EC hospital

The health minister warns that another hard lockdown is "possible"; and shocking claims from isolated patients at an Eastern Cape hospital.

The Covid-19 death toll has hit 2 657, while the number of cases now sits at 151 209.

The total number of recoveries is now 73 543 - a recovery rate of 48.6%.

Here’s what made the headlines today

Health Minister Zweli Mkhize has warned that another hard lockdown is possible, as the country braces itself for a spike in Covid-19 deaths. Already, the Eastern Cape and Gauteng are gearing up to face their peak period of new cases. Mkhize said the looming winter months could cause an increase in cases.

The impact of Covid-19 on the economy is being felt by the ANC, which has delayed staff salaries being paid. Salaries for the month of June will only be paid in July.

The 2021 African Cup of Nations has reportedly been postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic. The tournament, which was due to be held in Cameroon next January, was postponed to January 2022.

Today we revealed the shocking state of an isolation unit at Settlers Hospital in Makhanda. Patients reported going hungry for hours, having to reuse bedpans and being ignored by hospital staff. Already, News24 has reported on the poor state of other Eastern Cape hospitals.

Meanwhile, residents in one area of Makhanda are struggling without running water, and fear they are at risk of Covid-19 as they are unable to maintain proper hygiene. Taps are dry and sewage is flowing on the street in the area of Hlalani.

Sassa is allowing those who were rejected for the government’s R350 relief payment to apply again. Rejected applicants can be subjected to an appeals process. Sassa said about half of all processed applications for the month of June did not qualify.

Stay informed with News24

Special report | We remember those who died of Covid-19.
Talking point | Are lockdown divorce applications on the rise?
Back to school | Should you let your little one back to preschool before the pandemic is over?
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

Job losses soar globally, 'US could see 100 000 new cases a day' - International Covid-19 news

The US could see 100 000 new coronavirus cases a day, a top infectious disease expert Anthony Fauci warned.

And, the coronavirus crisis has taken a much heavier toll on jobs than previously feared, the UN said Tuesday, warning that the situation in the Americas was particularly dire. 

An asylum seeker has tested positive for coronavirus in a sprawling encampment steps from the US border in Matamoros, Mexico, underscoring the challenges migrants face in protecting themselves from the pandemic.

The European Union agreed Tuesday to reopen its borders to 15 countries excluding the virus-stricken US. Those on the list are Algeria, Australia, Canada, Japan, Georgia, Montenegro, Morocco, New Zealand, Rwanda, Serbia, South Korea, Thailand, Tunisia and Uruguay. 

And finally, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson set out plans on Tuesday to try to spur the UK's economy, promising to fast-track 5 billion pounds of infrastructure investment and to "build, build, build" out of the coronavirus crisis.

Pictured: A barmaid waits for a pint of Guinness to settle before serving a customer at a pub in Dublin, Ireland. (Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)

Criminals target Gumtree users during lockdown – here’s their latest big scam

The popular classifieds platform Gumtree has seen an increase in scams during lockdown, as fraudsters benefit from doing deals over a distance.

“The pandemic has seen more South Africans sell their items in an attempt to raise additional cash, and as those listings increase, so do scam attempts. With lockdown, buyers and sellers are inclined to transact online only rather than face to face or without viewing an item in person and using electronic payment methods rather than cash. This does lead to more instances of fraud,” says Estelle Nagel of Gumtree.

Search on for 16 Covid-19 positive pupils who evaded school quarantine

A group of 16 pupils with Covid-19 evaded quarantine at Makaula Secondary School in KwaBhaca, where a total of 204 learners and teachers have tested positive for the coronavirus.

Eastern Cape education MEC Fundile Gade told News24 on Tuesday that the 16 learners escaped last week while the school was in the process of transporting learners to three quarantine sites.

He said they were part of a group of 105, who escaped from the school grounds.

CAF postpones 2021 Africa Cup of Nations due to coronavirus - report

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) on Tuesday confirmed the postponement of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations and a number of other continental competitions, according to reports. 

In a virtual meeting held by the CAF executive committee, changes were made by the football body in response to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

CAF president, Ahmed Ahmed confirmed that the 2021 AFCON tournament - to be hosted in Cameroon - will be moved from June 2021 to January 2022.

Should your little one return to preschool before the Covid-19 pandemic is over?

While we're waiting impatiently to hear when daycare centres, creches and playschools can reopen, many parents are still wrestling with the question of whether it'll be safe to send their little ones back to school.

Babies and toddlers need round the clock care, which working parents are often not able to adequately provide while juggling work expectations too.

We weigh up the pros and cons of sending your preeschooler back. 

Another hard lockdown 'possible' as SA prepares for spike in deaths - Mkhize

Health Minister Zweli Mkhize has warned that South Africa is on the verge of facing a spike in coronavirus cases and related deaths which means another hard lockdown "may become necessary".

PICS | Used bedpans, overflowing bins, no food for hours - claims from EC hospital isolated patients

Going without food for hours, re-using bedpans filled with faeces, an overflowing bin and being ignored by nursing staff are just some of the conditions patients in isolation at Settlers Hospital in Makhanda say they have had to endure.

OPINION | Letter from a doctor: Rats, dirty laundry and finding hope in Eastern Cape hospital

Two weeks ago already, things were really bad here at Livingstone Hospital in Port Elizabeth.

They weren't collecting the waste, no one was cleaning and the nurses were also striking because they felt the working conditions were not safe. Even the kitchen wasn't working.

Strict lockdown rules make SA unhappiest in country comparison - study

Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, governments have implemented lockdown regulations to curb the spread of the virus.

Barloworld posts R1.5bn loss as Covid-19 bites

Logistics, car rentals and vehicle sales businesses is not the best space to be right now. Barloworld which owns brands like Avis, Manline Freight and operates leading motor franchise dealerships like Audi and BMW has plunged to R1.5bn loss for the six months to March 2020.

SABC2 telenovela Lithapo halts production due to Covid-19

SABC2's Sesotho telenovela Lithapo is the latest South African TV production to shut down after a Covid-19 positive case was identified among the production staff.

Lithapo filmed at Fleet Street Studios in Ferndale, Johannesburg shut down on Friday 26 June and will be closed until at least 6 July.

Should your little one return to preschool before the Covid-19 pandemic is over?

While we're waiting impatiently to hear when daycare centres, creches and playschools can reopen, many parents are still wrestling with the question of whether it'll be safe to send their little ones back to school.

Could a vaccine strategy from the Soviet Union be relevant in coronavirus pandemic?

As two virologists tested a polio vaccine on their children in the 1950s, they noticed something that could be beneficial for Covid-19 patients – but what do experts say?

A new swine flu strain with 'pandemic potential' was just found circulating in Chinese pigs

A nearly decade-long study of Chinese pigs has found a potentially dangerous new type of influenza virus.

The research, published today in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, describes a flu strain that shares genes with the one that caused the 2009 swine flu pandemic.

The virus is a combination of three flu strains, the scientists found: one from European and Asian birds, the flu strain that caused the 2009 swine flu outbreak, and a North American flu that has genes from bird, human, and pig flu viruses.

'We are not respected like nurses': Porters, security guards demand more Covid-19 protection

Hospital porters may account for up to one in 10 Covid-19 hospitalisations among healthcare workers, second only to nurses, according to the National Institute of Occupational Health (NIOH). But workers and unions say support staff like this, as well as cleaners and security guards, are last in line for the masks, gloves and gowns they need to protect them from the new coronavirus.

Fort Hare university vice-chancellor loses brother and sister-in-law to Covid-19

The brother of University of Fort Hare vice-chancellor Professor Sakhela Buhlungu and his wife Nobantu Ethelina Buhlungu have died of Covid-19 - just four days apart of each other.

PICS | Used bedpans, overflowing bins, no food for hours - claims from Makhanda hospital isolated patients 

Going without food for hours, re-using bedpans filled with faeces, an overflowing bin and being ignored by nursing staff are just some of the conditions patients in isolation at Settlers Hospital in Makhanda say they have had to endure.

News24 has spoken to a patient, as well as the family member of a second patient, after they were placed in isolation showing signs of Covid-19.

The isolation room is for "patients under investigation" for Covid-19, pending their confirmed test results.

One patient, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of being victimised, said it would be better to just go home.

The Covid-19 death toll has hit 2 529, while the number of cases now sits at 144 264.

The total number of recoveries is now 70 614 - a recovery rate of 48.9%.

Here’s what made the headlines today

President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed concern over people with Covid-19 being stigmatised within their communities. Ramaphosa, in his weekly newsletter, wrote that the stigma was likely fuelled by people’s fear of contracting the virus. He called on the public to be “guided by facts and not rumours”.

Gauteng is considering implementing tougher lockdowns on an intermittent basis, as the province gears up for its peak of Covid-19 cases. This could see the province closing the economy for a period of time.

A number of taxis had on Monday operated at 100% capacity - defying the government’s 70% capacity regulations. Tensions between taxi associations and the government are boiling over, with associations complaining that capacity restrictions are having severe financial impacts on the industry. Here is an explainer of the standoff between taxi associations and the government.

The Restaurants Association of SA has demanded that the government lift its ban on restaurants serving alcohol with sit-down meals. From Monday, restaurants can finally reopen since the beginning of the national lockdown. Restaurants have now, however, complained that the ban on serving alcohol will render most establishments unable to reopen because it will be infeasible from a business point of view.

Meanwhile, there appears to be confusion over whether hotels can reopen for leisure purposes. A hotel group and a tourism council said earlier today that hotels can operate for this purpose, saying that some hotels were already opened - but this was later retracted. While the Tourism Department warned that no leisure stayovers may take place, but this goes against new government regulations, which are said not to prohibit the reopening of the sector for leisure purposes.

As a fearsome spread of Covid-19 hits the Eastern Cape, the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality has called on the national government to consider imposing a Level 4 lockdown on the metro. Its acting mayor, Thsonono Buyeye, says residents have not been adhering to rules surrounding Covid-19, and that hospitals were being overwhelmed by an apparent increase in patients.

Seven more airports will be allowed to operate from Wednesday, the Department of Transport has said. At the start of Level 3 lockdown, only OR Tambo, King Shaka and Cape Town airports were allowed to open. Get the full list of reopened airports here.

International headlines

The global death toll from the coronavirus pandemic has topped half a million. In another grim milestone, the number of infections recorded worldwide rose to more than 10 million.

Six months since the start of the new coronavirus outbreak, the pandemic is "not even close to being over", World Health Organisation chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has warned.

Nigeria said it was allowing children to go back to school to take exams and permitting cross-country travel despite fears over mounting coronavirus infections.

Stay informed with News24

Special report | We remember those who died of Covid-19.
Talking point | Are lockdown divorce applications on the rise?
Back to school | Got a child in matric? This advice may help
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

WHO says pandemic 'not close to being over', Nigeria eases restrictions - International Covid-19 news

Six months since the start of the new coronavirus outbreak, the pandemic is "not even close to being over", World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus says.

Nigeria said it was allowing children to go back to school to take exams and permitting cross-country travel despite fears over mounting coronavirus infections.

And Republican lawmakers in the US are making a public push for face coverings, splitting with mask-averse US President Donald Trump on the issue, as Covid-19 cases surge in some Republican-leaning states.

New York's iconic Broadway theater district will stay closed through the end of the year, its trade association said Monday, due to the unpredictability of the coronavirus pandemic, AFP reports. 

27 Western Cape healthcare workers have died of Covid-19

People may clap for the work they do, or sing for them from balconies, but 27 healthcare workers in the Western Cape paid the ultimate price for being at the frontline of the fight against Covid-19.

One doctor, 13 nurses, and 13 workers from other sectors of the health department have succumbed to the virus in the province since the pandemic was first detected.

The province is currently moving through what it hopes is the peak, and then a subsequent decline in the high number of cases. 

Global death toll hits 500 000, Americans 'ignoring health guidelines' - International Covid-19 news

The global death toll from the coronavirus pandemic has topped half a million. In another grim milestone, the number of infections recorded worldwide rose to more than 10 million, according to an AFP tally, complicating efforts to ease restrictions on debilitated economies.

And, a spike in US coronavirus infections was fuelled in large part by people ignoring public health guidelines to keep their distance and wear masks, the government's top infectious disease official said.

As the UK's Covid-19 infections soared in the past months, the government reached for what it hoped could be a game changer – a smartphone app that could automate some of the work of human contact tracers. But months later, the NHS tracing app is facing serious defects. 

Pictured: A woman shops in Scotland, as the country eases lockdown restrictions. (Getty Images)

Parents arrested for disrupting 'unsafe' schools in Mpumalanga

A councillor and an elderly man are among 13 people arrested for allegedly storming into schools and forcing pupils out of their classrooms, claiming that they were not safe from the Covid-19 pandemic. 

This comes amid countrywide concern that schools may not be safe for children to return.

According to the police, the group, who are believed to be parents, went to schools at Seabe Village in Mmametlahake on Thursday. 

Global Covid-19 death toll passes 500 000

The global death toll from the coronavirus pandemic has topped half a million, as surging cases in Latin America and the US prompted some authorities to reconsider lifting lockdown measures.

In another grim milestone, the number of infections recorded worldwide rose to more than 10 million, according to an AFP tally, complicating efforts to ease restrictions on debilitated economies.

The US has recorded more than 125 000 deaths and 2.5 million cases - both around a quarter of the global totals. The second hardest-hit country Brazil registered 259 105 infections in the past seven days - the country's highest of any week during the pandemic.

The latest figures came as protesters in cities across Brazil - and as far away as Stockholm, London and Barcelona - held demonstrations against President Jair Bolsonaro, who has said the virus is akin to a "little flu" and railed against stay-at-home measures.

- AFP 

Got a child in matric? 

The final school year is stressful as it is - but more so because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Lindsy Carter-Bolus, an experienced Professional Certified Coach, teacher and mother of three she shares advice to students getting back into schooling after a long lockdown.

She provides practical tips on getting back into the schooling routine, and embracing the new normal. 

Restaurants fight alcohol ban, confusion over hotel operations, standoff between taxi industry and govt heats up 

Here are some stories from today you may have missed

The Restaurants Association of SA has demanded that the government lift its ban on restaurants serving alcohol with sit-down meals. From Monday, restaurants can finally reopen since the beginning of the national lockdown. Restaurants have now, however, complained that the ban on serving alcohol will render most establishments unable to reopen because it will be infeasible from a business point of view.

Meanwhile, there appears to be confusion over whether hotels can reopen for leisure purposes. A hotel group and a tourism council said earlier today that hotels can operate for this purpose, saying that some hotels were already opened - but this was later retracted. While the Tourism Department warned that no leisure stayovers may take place, but this goes against new government regulations, which are said not to prohibit the reopening of the sector for leisure purposes.

A number of taxis had on Monday operated at 100% capacity - defying the government’s 70% capacity regulations. Tensions between taxi associations and the government are boiling over, with associations complaining that capacity restrictions are having severe financial impacts on the industry. Here is an explainer of the standoff between taxi associations and the government.

Pictured: Customers sit at tables separated by dividers outside Boucherie restaurant in New York City, as the city relaxed its lockdown restrictions. (Noam Galai/Getty Images)

More South African airports to open as aviation industry gradually resume flights

While more local airports will be allowed to operate for domestic flights from 1 July, all international passenger flights are prohibited except those flights authorised by Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula, and only for repatriation of South African citizens and medical evacuation. 

Lone taxi association adheres to 70% load, while others in Gauteng re-introduce 100%

Faraday Taxi Association (FTA) says it will adhere to 70% loading capacity.Other taxi associations announced on Sunday that they will return to 100% loading capacity.This comes after Santaco announced this directive after failed negotiations with the government. 

Cyril Ramaphosa | Stigmatisation of people who have tested positive with coronavirus 'must stop'

There have been disturbing reports of individuals being ostracised from their communities and of communities protesting against coronavirus patients being admitted to local hospitals and clinics. This must stop, writes President Cyril Ramaphosa in his weekly newsletter.