GLOBAL NEWS 

Covid-19 wrap: Global deaths pass 530 000, US records 43 742 new cases and India reopens Taj Mahal 

More than 11.32 million people have been reported to be infected by the novel coronavirus globally and 530 254 have died, according to a Reuters tally.

Infections have been reported in more than 210 countries and territories since the first cases were identified in China in December 2019.

Coronavirus: SANDF medical team arrives in Eastern Cape to help overwhelmed hospitals 

The SA National Defence Force's (SANDF) Military Health Service has deployed doctors, nurses and operational emergency care practitioners to the Eastern Cape to help the province's overwhelmed public hospitals.

The military medical team was expected to touch down at Port Elizabeth International Airport on Sunday morning.

SA Military Health Service (SAMHS) spokesperson Priscilla Lengoasa told News24 more military workers were expected to be deployed in phases to the province.

She declined to disclose the total number of workers allocated to the Eastern Cape.

Motshekga to brief SA at 16:00 on return of other school grades 

The Minister of Basic Education Angie Motshekga will on Sunday brief South Africa on the return of other grades to schools this week.

The briefing will take place on Sunday at 16:00.

It was announced earlier this week that only Grades R, 6 and 11 will return to school on Monday, News24 reported.

"The minister will also elaborate on the revised plans regarding the return of other grades to school. The minister will be joined by MECs of education in the briefing," a press alert said.

Coronavirus: Gauteng's private hospitals under pressure but not full - hospital groups 

As a surge in Covid-19 cases hits Gauteng, South Africa's biggest private hospital groups say they have not reached capacity in the province, despite being under immense pressure.

They add, though, that the situation remains "fluid", and the critical care capacity of hospitals, in particular, is under stress.

This week, News24 reported that Gauteng's state hospitals were also stretched in terms of capacity, with reports emerging throughout the week of patients being turned away from hospitals.

Gauteng health department spokesperson Philani Mhlungu said the system was under pressure, and that patients who needed to be admitted to facilities that were full would be referred to hospitals where there was available bed space.

Battered by the pandemic, businesses warily eye the next 100 days 

After the huge economic fallout from the first 100 days of South Africa's lockdown, some members of the SA's struggling business community say the country cannot afford to keep the current restrictions in place any longer.

South Africa's GDP is already expected to shrink by between 7% and 10% this year, as the country faces its greatest economic contraction since the Great Depression of the 1930s. Record-high unemployment, the loss of all SA's investor-grade credit ratings, and a recession that started in mid-2019 have only exacerbated the impact of the coronavirus pandemic and the nationwide lockdown meant to stem its growth.  

"My own view is that we can't really afford to have continued strict lockdowns. Instead what is required, rather than a general approach is we need to have a much more nuanced approach. We need to stop specific things. We can't afford to stop economic activity anymore," says Econometrix's director and chief economist, Dr Azar Jammine.

Ghana's president self-isolates after close person tests positive for coronavirus 

Accra – Ghana's President Nana Akufo-Addo will self-isolate for 14 days on the advice of doctors after a person in his close circle tested positive for coronavirus, the government said in a statement late on Saturday.

"He has, as at today, tested negative, but has elected to take this measure out of the abundance of caution," the statement said, adding that the president will continue to work during the period, in compliance with Covid-19 safety protocols.

The statement did not say if the close person was a staff or family member.

Ghana has recorded 19 388 coronavirus cases, one of the highest number of cases in sub-Saharan Africa, with 117 deaths.

The West African nation's deputy trade and industry minister Carlos Kingsley Ahenkorah resigned on Friday for violating coronavirus self-isolation measures after he tested positive for the virus.

 - REUTERS

Cases update: 

The latest number of confirmed cases is 187 977.

According to the latest update, 3 026 deaths have been recorded in the country.

There have been 91 227 recoveries.

So far, more than 1.79 million tests have been conducted, with 46 925 new tests.

OPINION | 100 days of lockdown: It's been a test of strength, stamina for doctors 

Working on the frontline in a Covid-19 ward in one of the country's hospitals is not for the faint-hearted, writes one doctor, who asked to remain anonymous.

Working in the Covid-19 wards in our country's hospitals has been a marathon. It is a test of strength, stamina, but also of emotions as doctors try to treat patients to the best of their ability.

It has also meant a lifestyle change.

Coffee drinkers have stopped drinking coffee, and water intake has decreased, as we are afraid of needing to go to the bathroom while in PPE (personal protective equipment). 

Coronavirus morning update: Numbers from Gauteng hospitals, and arrests over Covid-19 relief funds 

Your latest coronavirus news: More than 2 000 Covid-19 patients fill Gauteng hospitals; and five people have been arrested for Covid-19 UIF irregularities.

WHO reports record daily increase in global coronavirus cases, up more than 212 000

The World Health Organisation reported a record increase in global coronavirus cases on Saturday, with the total rising by 212 326 in 24 hours.

The biggest increases were from the United States, Brazil and India, according to a daily report. The previous WHO record for new cases was 189 077 on June 28. Deaths remained steady at about 5 000 a day.

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.

WHO halts hydroxychloroquine, HIV drugs in Covid-19 trials after failure to reduce death

The World Health Organisation said that it was discontinuing its trials of the malaria drug hydroxychloroquine and combination HIV drug lopinavir/ritonavir in hospitalised patients with Covid-19 after they failed to reduce mortality.

The setback came as the WHO also reported more than 200,000 new cases globally of the disease for the first time in a single day. The United States accounted for 53 213 of the total 212,326 new cases recorded on Friday, the WHO said.

"These interim trial results show that hydroxychloroquine and lopinavir/ritonavir produce little or no reduction in the mortality of hospitalised Covid-19 patients when compared to standard of care. Solidarity trial investigators will interrupt the trials with immediate effect," the WHO said in a statement, referring to large multicountry trials that the agency is leading.

The UN agency said the decision, taken on the recommendation of the trial's international steering committee, does not affect other studies where those drugs are used for non-hospitalised patients or as a prophylaxis.

Another branch of the WHO-led trial is looking at the potential effect of Gilead's antiviral drug remdesivir on Covid-19.

The European Commission on Friday gave remdesivir conditional approval for use after being shown to shorten hospital recovery times.

Low risk for pregnant women diagnosed with Covid-19 to pass disease to babies

Pregnant women concerned about the risk of transmitting Covid-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus, to their baby, don’t need to panic.

According to a new report from the University of Nottingham in England, transmission of the disease from mother to baby during pregnancy is uncommon.

The researchers also found that babies born vaginally, are breastfed, or allowed contact with their mother were also not at a greater risk of infection. 

The paper was published in BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology.

Maternal transmission of Covid-19 to baby during pregnancy uncommon | @Health24com https://t.co/td9aEkkdCD pic.twitter.com/uRwPpWnQA2

— News24 (@News24) July 4, 2020

More than 11.15 million people have been reported to be infected by the novel coronavirus globally and 526 088 have died, according to a Reuters tally.

Infections have been reported in more than 210 countries and territories since the first cases were identified in China in December 2019.

- Reuters

'You will rest in eternity together' - daughter bids farewell to parents who died of Covid-19

"I love you, Mommy. I love you, Daddy... I love you endlessly and you will always be in my thoughts, in my heart and in my prayers.

"This was the moving farewell given to Barry and Heidi Volkwijn by their 19-year-old daughter, Amy. The Cape Town couple died of Covid-19 on the same day.

Joint funeral service held for Cape Town couple who died hours apart of Covid-19

Barry and Heidi Volkwijn died on Saturday, 23 June, hours apart.

Barry, 48, a driver at Alexandra Psychiatric Hospital, died in the early hours of the morning.

Heidi, 43, a respected motivational speaker and manager of services for youth and adults at the League of Friends for the Blind, died in the afternoon.

You can watch the funeral in the video above

Family buries stranger after Covid-19 body mix-up

Retired nurse Nomsa Noda, 67, who worked at the same hospital where her husband died, said she was shocked when an undertaker, accompanied by her pastor, visited her on Wednesday to tell her she had buried the wrong person.

Her husband Vukile Noda, 79, died of Covid-19 on 22 June after he was admitted to the hospital seven days earlier.

SATURDAY EDITION | Before day 100

Tomorrow will be day 100 of lockdown.

The momentous milestone reminds us that we've lost a lot, but also provides a moment to pause and reflect. 

We wanted to know what our readers have had on their minds during this unprecedented time in our history.

So we asked: "What have you learnt during lockdown?"And we received 100 answers back. 

Coronavirus morning update: Latest on Covid-19 treatments in SA, and lost test samples

A dexamethasone producer in SA has sold out its stock; a generic of remdesivir is coming to SA; and NHLS fires courier company after losing Covid-19 samples.

The Covid-19 death toll has hit 2 952, while the number of cases now sits at 177 124.

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

Global cases hit 11 million - International Covid-19 news

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.

Covid-19 cases top 200 000 in Saudi Arabia

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

Covid-19 hotspots: Joburg residents to be relocated in next 4 months, says Mayor Makhubo

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).

Covid-19: Govt and Auditor General to monitor relief fund closely - Ramaphosa

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.

A dexamethasone producer in SA has sold out its stock - as demand for the Covid19 drug surges

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.

KZN refuses to let Grade Rs return, independent schools want all pupils back - the latest on schools' phased reopening

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.

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.

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.

'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.