EXPLAINER | What we know about plans to bring back Gauteng's hard lockdown

The Gauteng government reportedly asked the NCCC to introduce a higher lockdown level in the province due to a surge in Covid-19 cases. 

Gauteng Health MEC Bandile Masuku has reportedly called on the National Coronavirus Command Council (NCCC) to reintroduce a hard lockdown in the province amid a spike in Covid-19 cases.

This follows statements by Health Minister Zweli Mkize last week that a hard lockdown "may become necessary" to curb the pandemic.

Gauteng, the smallest and most populous province in South Africa, is set to overtake the Western Cape with most Covid-19 in the coming days. 

OPINION | Government's strategy needs to change to be successful in fight against Covid-19

With close to 200 000 (about 100 000 active) Covid-19 infections and 10 000 new cases daily, the South African government's strategy to curb infections will need to change. The projections, based on the application of the government's risk-adjusted strategy, and actual infections are growing further and further apart.

Threatening to go back to a Level 4, or even a Level 5, lockdown is not going to do the trick, and it doesn't appear that the president's appeal for behavioural change is being taken seriously.

Covid-19 lockdown: United Gyms takes govt to court in bid to get back on the treadmill

Rudolph van der Westhuizen, chairperson of United Gyms, filed an urgent interim court application, asking the Western Cape High Court in Cape Town to order President Cyril Ramaphosa and several other ministers to temporarily include gyms (health and fitness clubs) in the amended regulations under Level 3, 2 and 1 of the national lockdown, as well as to reopen the facilities under strict health protocols.

Back to school: 'We missed you guys,' Motshekga tells returning pupils

"Did you miss us? We missed you guys. Are you happy to be back?" Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga asked Grade 11 pupils at the Noordwyk Secondary School in Midrand, Gauteng, on Monday morning. 

Motshekga visited to several schools in the area to inspect their readiness to receive Grade 6 and 11 pupils, after 105 days at home owing to the coronavirus lockdown regulations. Grades 7s and 12s returned to school on 8 June. 

WATCH | Covid-19: Cape Town mosque uses booking system to ensure safe prayers

The Sulaimani Mosque in Goodwood, Cape Town, is using an online registry to keep track of how many congregants attend their Friday prayers.

The mosque was one of only a handful in Cape Town to reopen under lockdown Level 3. 

EXCLUSIVE | Government instructs SAFA to play 'overarching' role in PSL return

Minister of Arts, Culture and Sports Nathi Mthethwa on Sunday requested that the South African Football Association (SAFA) assume its expected role of ensuring compliance from Premier Soccer League (PSL) teams in their return to training protocol.

In an official letter seen by Sport24, Mthethwa requested that SAFA - the governing body that controls football in South Africa - "play an overarching role" in monitoring compliance during the resumption of all football activities.

Coronavirus-hit JSE companies halt billions in dividends – here’s how it will affect you

Sixty-five JSE-listed companies suspended dividends this year, and this number may grow.

This will impact investment growth from share investments, including from unit trusts and pension funds.  

SA schools brace themselves as more pupils start heading back

South Africa is set for the return of more pupils to schools on Monday as those in Grades 6 and 11, as well as some Grade R pupils, head back to class.

A new coronavirus strain is more infectious, but doesn't make people sicker - global study

A new strain of the novel coronavirus that's spreading from Europe to the US is more infectious than its predecessor, according to a new global study published in the journal Cell and first reported on by CNN.

A new coronavirus strain is more infectious, but doesn't make people sicker - global study

A new strain of the novel coronavirus that's spreading from Europe to the US is more infectious than its predecessor, according to a new global study published in the journal Cell and first reported on by CNN.

Lockdown: ConCourt dismisses case by Helen Suzman Foundation for direct access

The Constitutional Court has again dismissed an application for direct access in a challenge relating to the Covid-19 lockdown.

Coronavirus morning update: SANDF medics deployed to Eastern Cape, and latest on schools

SANDF medics join Cuban doctors to battle Covid-19 in Eastern Cape; and back to school for Grades 6 and 11, but only some Grade Rs.

The Covid-19 death toll has hit 3 199, while the number of cases now sits at 196 750.

The total number of recoveries is now 93 315 - a recovery rate of 47.4%.

Here are today’s top stories

Grades 6 and 11 will return to school on Monday - but the basic education department is only allowing schools which are ready to welcome back Grade Rs to do so. Minister of Basic Education Angie Motshekga told a briefing that many schools reproted not being ready for the little ones.

Members of the SANDF medical team have been deployed in the Eastern Cape to assist the province’s overwhelmed hospitals. More military workers are expected to be deployed in phases to the province. The province is currently dealing with its peak of Covid-19 cases.

Gauteng private hospitals are feeling the pressure of the increase in cases in the province, but say they still have capacity to deal with more. This comes as the province begins seeing the first stages of its peak Covid-19 case period. State hospitals in the province are also feeling the strain.

WATCH: 100 days of lockdown - in six minutes



In other news, nuns from a convent in the Eastern Cape have buried five of their fellow sisters who died from Covid-19. They have described how the ordeal has left them traumatised and unable to sleep.

Businesses, especially those in the tourism sector, are suffering without having their interruption cover paid out by their insurer. This has led to insurance company Santam being taken to court for allegedly not paying out claims for businesses being unable to continue during the lockdown.

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

Part of Spain back into lockdown following surge in cases

Spain's northwestern Galicia region on Sunday ordered the lockdown of 70 000 people amid fears of a fresh coronavirus outbreak, following a larger one in the northeast.

All residents of the town of La Marina will be unable to leave the vicinity and gatherings of more than ten people will be banned to limit the possibility of contagion.

The move came only a day after regional officials put 200 000 people back in confinement following a "sharp rise" in infections near the northeastern town of Lerida, near Barcelona.

Spaniards endured one of the world's toughest lockdowns for three months from March as the country suffered one of Europe's worst coronavirus death tolls - at least 28 385 - and more than 250 000 cases.

"At the moment... we have 106 positive cases, which presupposes a rise on the previous day of 21 cases," Galician regional health official Jesus Vazquez told a news conference.

"It is considered necessary to raise levels of restrictions to attempt to improve the outlook ... and isolate ourselves from the possibility of exponential growth which is what tends to occur in the case of community transmission which, here, has not yet appeared."

As a precaution the zone will be cordoned off for at least five days as authorities monitor the situation.At the national level, Spanish authorities see the pandemic as having been essentially brought under control but are monitoring some 50 instances where new cases appear to be latent.

- AFP

India reports record daily cases cases

India added a record number of coronavirus cases Sunday, as the world's fourth worst-hit nation opened a huge treatment centre with 10 000 beds in the capital to fight the epidemic.

The health ministry reported just under 25 000 cases and 613 deaths in 24 hours -- the biggest daily spike since the first case was detected in late January.

The surge took India's total tally to more than 673 000 cases and 19 268 deaths.

WRAP | Grades 6 and 11 to return - but not all Grade Rs, only 0.1% of returning pupils infected with Covid-19, plan for all to return laid out

The Minister of Basic Education, Angie Motshekga, says that Grades 6 and 11 will return to school on Monday, as part of the phased reopening of schools - but only schools that are ready will be allowed to welcome Grade Rs. 

This comes after the department said that Grades R, 6 and 11 will return from Monday.

Motshekga said during a briefing that provinces not ready to welcome Grade Rs back on Monday must provide plans to take them back before the end of July. 

The department's director-general, Mathanzima Mweli said 2 592 755 pupils would have returned to school by the end of July. 

He said the department has five levels of criteria when it comes to phasing-in school pupils. 

From a presentation, it said the department is currently implementing level 3 - where Grades 6 and 11 return. Pupils with severe intellectual disabilities in Grades 1, 2, 3 and 6, and special care centres for pupils with profound intellectual disabilities in years 1-3 may return.Level 2 is where Grades 4, 5, 8 and 9 will return.

Pupils with severe intellectual disabilities in Grades 4 and 5 will also return at this point. This will be in August. By Level 1, all pupils would have returned. 

3 pupils die from Covid-19

Motshekga said 11 teachers and 4 non-teaching staff have died from the virus, and another three pupils who have reportedly died from the virus. she said, however, only about 0.01% of pupils have been infected. The majority of cases were in the Western Cape, Eastern Cape and Gauteng. 

She said there was no evidence just yet that schools have become "cesspools" for the virus, but the department was nonetheless cautious when it came to allowing more pupils to return. 

Motshekga said returning teachers, especially those over 60, are at risk because of comorbities. She said a selection of teachers have been allowed to work from home. 

School vandalism continues

Meanwhile, Motshekga said almost all provinces were repairing the schools which were vandalised during the lockdown. However, she said six more schools in Gauteng were vandalised this week, and a school was set alight in the North West. 

She added that the lockdown is having an impact on the lives of children. She said that research showed that children were going hungry without school feeding schemes, and many were unable to make use of learning materials as they have no access to the internet. 

She said that there have been social ills under the pandemic, like teenage pregnancy and dropping out. She adds that there was also a need to strengthen psychosocial support for staff and pupils. 

- Kerushun Pillay

While we wait for Motshekga’s address...

Here is a refresher on the latest developments on the phased reopening of schools

It was announced during the week that Grades R, 6 and 11 will return to school on Monday. This came after a meeting between the department and Education MECs from all provinces. Already, matrics and Grade 7s have returned to school.

But there was pushback in KwaZulu-Natal, whose provincial education department said it would not allow the return of Grade R pupils on Monday.

Meanwhile, in another development, an independent schools body wrote to President Cyril Ramaphosa asking to allow all pupils to return to its member schools. The body said it has devised a plan for this kind of reintroduction, including physical distancing measures and temperature screenings.

Motshekga will address the nation at 16:00. It will be broadcast live on News24.

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.