RESOURCES
03 July 20:43
The total number of recoveries is now 86 296 - a recovery rate of 48.7%.
Here’s what made the headlines today
Demand for the Covid-19 drug dexamethasone appears to be on the rise, with producers of the medication having cleared its stock. Fresenuis Kabi, a German pharmaceutical company which manufactures in the Eastern Cape, has sold out all its stock. Another manufacturer, Aspen, has run out of stock. The medication has been hailed as a breakthrough, and the health department has begun administering it to some Covid-19 patients.
As Gauteng prepares for a Covid-19 storm, some 1 600 residents in hotspot areas in Johannesburg are due to be relocated. The City will move people from wards 108 and 109 to safer places.
The National Health Laboratory Service has fired Gibela Trade and Invest, a courier company, after it had lost samples of Covid-19 tests in transit while travelling on the N2 in the Eastern Cape. The company was said to have behaved negligently.
As schools prepare to welcome more grades, there has been pushback in KwaZulu-Natal, whose provincial education department is not allowing the return of Grade R pupils on Monday. On Thursday, the government announced that Grades R, 6 and 11 will be allowed back from next week.
Meanwhile, an independent schools body has written to President Cyril Ramaphosa asking to allow all pupils to return to its member schools. The body says it has devised a plan for this kind of reintroduction, including physical distancing measures and temperature screenings.
The cigarette war continues, with tobacco association Fair Trade Independent Association lodging an application for leave to appeal a court ruling which dismissed its challenege to overturn the government’s ban on the sale of tobacco.
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
03 July 19:53
Global coronavirus cases exceeded 11 million on Friday, according to a Reuters tally, marking another milestone in the spread of the disease that has killed more than half a million people in seven months.
The World Health Organisation should soon get results from clinical trials it is conducting of drugs that might be effective in treating Covid-19 patients, its Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus says.
The European Commission said on Friday it had given conditional approval for the use of antiviral remdesivir in severe Covid-19 patients following an accelerated review process, making it the region's first therapy to be authorised to treat the virus.
Saudi Arabia passed the grim milestone of 200 000 confirmed novel coronavirus cases, the health ministry said Friday, weeks ahead of an annual hajj pilgrimage drastically cut back because of the pandemic.
And finally, people who recovered from coronavirus infections in Argentina have volunteered to donate plasma as part of a national clinical trial to test its effectiveness as a treatment for patients who are still sick with Covid-19.
03 July 19:08
Saudi Arabia passed the grim milestone of 200 000 confirmed novel coronavirus cases, the health ministry said Friday, weeks ahead of an annual hajj pilgrimage drastically cut back because of the pandemic.
The Gulf's worst-hit country has now 201 801 confirmed infections including 4 193 new cases on Friday alone, and 1 802 deaths.
More than 140 000 of those infected have recovered.Amid tight restrictions to rein in the pandemic, the kingdom has said it would only allow around 1 000 worshippers already present in the kingdom to take part in the annual hajj pilgrimage later this month.
In 2019, the rite attracted over 2.5 million Muslim pilgrims from around the world.This year's hajj will take place under strict hygiene protocols, with access restricted to pilgrims under 65 years old and without any chronic illnesses.
Pilgrims will be tested on their arrival in the holy city of Mecca, and following the ritual they will go into quarantine in their homes.Saudi Arabia has seen an uptick in both confirmed infections and deaths from the Covid-19 illness since easing movement restrictions in late May.It has yet to restore international air links.
- AFP
03 July 18:20
Plans to relocate 1 600 Johannesburg residents in Covid-19 hotspots to safer areas are officially underway, with residents set to move in the next four months.
As Covid-19 cases spike in Gauteng, especially in Johannesburg, Mayor Geoff Makhubo says the programme must be implemented quickly, adding that he has been given a time frame of four months.
On Friday, Makhubo revealed the land which would be used to relocate residents from Wards 109 and 108 (made up of Marlboro, Eastgate, Kelvin, Wendywood, Morningside Manor and Alexandra).
03 July 17:23
The Auditor-General will help the government keep an eye on the R500 billion Covid-19 relief fund which has become the subject of a corruption probe.
President Cyril Ramaphosa said the government would work closely with the AG to ensure the money is spent responsibly.
Ramaphosa made the announcement in response to a written parliamentary question from DA MP Alf Lees who wanted details on the government's measures to ensure that the Covid-19 relief funds are not mismanaged.
03 July 16:15
A local manufacturer of dexamethasone has temporarily run out of stock amid strong demand for the medicine.
The 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.
Since a study by the University of Oxford showed that dexamethasone can reduced deaths by one-third in patients on ventilators, demand for the medicine – which is also crucial in the treatment of cancer patients in South Africa – has surged.
03 July 15:06
As schools prepare to welcome more grades, there has been pushback in KwaZulu-Natal, whose provincial education department is not allowing the return of Grade R pupils on Monday.
Meanwhile, an independent schools body has written to President Cyril Ramaphosa asking to allow all pupils to return to its member schools. The body says it has devised a plan for this kind of reintroduction, including physical distancing measures and temperature screenings.
On Thursday it was announced that Grades R, 6 and 11 will return to school next week, the Department of Basic Education has said. This comes after a meeting between the department and Education MECs from all provinces. Already, matrics and Grade 7s have returned to school.
03 July 13:44
Coronavirus mortality in Italy is highest among poor, study shows
Poor Italians are significantly more likely to die of the coronavirus than higher-income groups, the country's first significant study into the disease's disproportionate social impact showed on Friday.
03 July 13:34
NHLS fires courier company for risking human life by losing Covid-19 samples
The courier company that lost a cargo of Covid-19 samples in transit on the N2 in the Eastern Cape has been fired for negligence and risking human life, the National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS) said in a statement.
03 July 13:27
03 July 13:24
03 July 13:13
'Thousands of children at risk': Government urged to announce opening dates for early childhood development centres
In response to the desperation of many businesses and families who need childcare, the Western Cape Provincial Minister of Social Development, Sharna Fernandez, has called on the DSD Minister Lindiwe Zulu to announce a reopening date for Early Childhood Development centres as a matter of urgency.
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03 July 10:57
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03 July 10:20
Covid-19 wrap | US hits new daily coronavirus case record, UK relaxes traveller quarantine rules
Here are the latest developments in the coronavirus crisis.
03 July 10:06
OPINION | 'It is not working' - an open letter from the principal of Aloe High School
Remember the fiasco of 1 and 8 June and how the Western Cape was "ready"? And prior to that how they were "ready" to welcome back principals and support staff, then SMTs and subsequently entire staffs.
The truth is, we were never ready; we are still not ready as we prepare to phase in the next grades next week.
03 July 10:04
03 July 09:50
03 July 09:48
KwaZulu-Natal education department says no to return of Grade R pupils on Monday
In a circular which provincial education department head Enock Nzama signed, parents were advised that Grade R pupils should stay at home for the time being.
03 July 09:47
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03 July 09:42
Gauteng health department probes businessman Shonisani Lethole's death at Tembisa Hospital
Before he died at Tembisa Hospital in Ekurhuleni on Monday, Lethole told his family that he had been deprived of food at the hospital. He even wrote to national Health Minister Zweli Mkhize to say that he had not received any food for 48 hours.
03 July 09:27
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03 July 06:50
Friday Briefing | 100 days: 'How SA squandered the lockdown'
100 days of lockdown: Did we buy time, or did we merely postpone the pain? In this week’s edition of News24’s Friday Briefing Professor Alex van den Heever assesses the situation we’re in and considers South Africa’s strategic approach.
03 July 06:49
Covid-19: Who gets priority in the trauma unit? Gauteng health MEC says 'clinicians will decide'
With Covid-19 set to place increasing pressure on Gauteng's health systems as positive cases spike at a faster rate, the province's health MEC has cautioned that trauma units won't solely deal with coronavirus patients as a given.
While greater focus has been placed on assessing the readiness of Gauteng's hospitals to accommodate seriously ill Covid-19 patients, trauma and intensive care units (ICU) will still need to treat patients for other ailments, injuries and emergencies.
Which will take priority?
03 July 06:48
Coronavirus morning update: Update on schools, and latest news from Gauteng, Western Cape
Grades R, 6 and 11 will return to school on Monday; Western Cape's Covid-19 peak could be 'flatter, longer'; and government hospitals in Gauteng at maximum bed capacity.
02 July 22:16
Here are today's top stories
President Cyril Ramaphosa has written to National Assembly Speaker Thandi Modise and National Council of Provinces Chairperson Amos Masondo to inform them of the decision to extend the employment of 20 000 army members until 30 September. These SANDF members are working alongside police and other law enforcement to maintain order during the coronavirus lockdown. SANDF members will be deployed across the country.
Grades R, 6 and 11 will return to school on Monday, the Department of Basic Education has said. This comes after a meeting between the department and Education MECs from all provinces. Already, matrics and Grade 7s have returned to school.
Gauteng fears hospitals will soon be overcrowded, as it forecasts as many as 300 000 Covid-19 cases by the end of August. The province expects about 120 000 cases by the end of July. The province is soon to be hit by its peak period of cases.
The Special Investigating Unit is probing a number of allegations related to possible corruption of the government’s massive R500 billion Covid-19 relief fund. To date, 20 allegations of maladministration, fraud and orruption have been reported.
The rand has strengthened to its best level in weeks - R16.93/$ - amid promising news surrounding a possible Covid-19 vaccine. The University of Oxford is putting a vaccine through trials, and trials are being done at Wits University.
Yet another Eastern Cape hospital is facing Covid-19 challenges - this time, Frontier Hospital in Queenstown is said to have a lack of protective gear for staff and sanitiser, and physical distancing is not being adhered to.
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
02 July 19:59
The father of UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has flown to Greece, despite current advice for British nationals to avoid all but essential international travel. Stanley Johnson had arrived, likely via Bulgaria, in the northern region of Pelion, where he has a holiday home, but authorities said there was nothing untoward in his arrival.
Rio de Janeiro's bars and restaurants reopened Thursday after more than three months of coronavirus lockdown, despite criticism by health specialists in Brazil, one of the world's worst-hit nations.
Jordan has extended a ban on cigarettes in closed public spaces to all forms of smoking, citing the fight against Covid-19 in a country with one of the world's highest smoking rates.
Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said on Thursday Poles should not be afraid to vote in the second round of a presidential election due on 12 July because the novel coronavirus has become a disease "like any other".
Eight migrants who disembarked in Sicily this week after being rescued in the Mediterranean by a charity boat are in quarantine after testing positive for coronavirus, the group Mediterranea said.
02 July 18:45
The densely populated province of Gauteng now has the highest number of active Covid-19 cases in South Africa, at just over 30 000.
"The month of June has seen a sharp spike in the number of confirmed cases on a daily basis. Gauteng now has the largest number of active cases," Premier David Makhura said in a virtual presentation on Thursday.
This comes as Gauteng recorded 45 944 cases, with 12 957 recoveries and 244 deaths as of Thursday, 2 July.