In the last 24 hours, 8 810 new infections have been confirmed, taking the total positive cases to 224 665.

100 new deaths bring SA's Covid-19 death toll to 3 602: 2 from Limpopo, 18 from KwaZulu-Natal, 15 from Mpumalanga, 18 from Eastern Cape, 47 from Western Cape. 

The number of recoveries is 106 842, which translates to a recovery rate of 47,5%.

Gauteng now has the most cases in SA with 75 015 cases.

Coronavirus morning update: Storm 'is now arriving', and Western Cape premier tests positive

The health minister says the Covid-19 storm is approaching; and the Western Cape premier is self-isolating after confirming he tested positive for the virus.

Extension tension – can President Ramaphosa afford to tighten lockdown rules?

With South Africa's Covid-19 cases having officially breached the 200 000 mark, everyone's eyes are on what President Cyril Ramaphosa's administration will do to get a grip on the health crisis and how it will feed into an economy in its deepest winter since the 1920s.

AmaRharhabe Kingdom Queen Noloyiso Sandile dies of Covid-19

AmaRharhabe Kingdom Queen Regent Noloyiso Sandile has died of Covid-19 at the age of 56.

Her spokesperson, Prince Zolile Burns Ncamashe, confirmed her death to News24 on Wednesday.

President Cyril Ramaphosa expressed his sadness and described the queen as "a bastion of traditional values and an inspiring and principled leader of her people".

Covid-19 storm is approaching - Mkhize

Health Minister Zweli Mkhize announced that the Covid-19 storm, which the government had consistently warned South Africans of, "is now arriving".

He said, as of Tuesday, South Africa had 10 144 new cases, which brought the cumulative confirmed cases to 215 855.

Western Cape Premier Alan Winde tests positive for Covid-19

Western Cape Premier Alan Winde is self-isolating at home for the next 14 days after confirming he tested positive for Covid-19 on Wednesday.

"I received a positive test result for Covid-19 this morning, and I am in self-isolation at home for 14 days," Winde said in a statement on Wednesday.

Science and innovation dept to research traditional medicine for Covid-19 fight

The Department of Higher Education, Science and Innovation has reassigned R15 million from existing indigenous knowledge projects to support Covid-19 interventions, Higher Education, Science and Innovation Minister Blade Nzimande said in a briefing on Wednesday.

"We are in the process of implementing multiple interventions including the use of African medicines as immune modulators and anti-coronavirus therapeutics," he said.

North West Premier Job Mokgoro checks into hospital for voluntary self-quarantine

North West Premier Job Mokgoro has chosen to go into voluntary self-quarantine on Wednesday after testing positive for Covid-19.

According to his spokesperson, Vuyisile Ngesi, Mokgoro "is in good spirits", but has taken the decision to limit his staff's exposure to Covid-19 by going into quarantine at a hospital facility.

Life Healthcare sends in more nurses as it battles spike in Covid-19 admissions

Hospital group Life Healthcare is recruiting staff and beefing up its equipment supplies, having been faced with a shortage of nurses as its hospital admissions for Covid-19 increased sharply.

In a letter to doctors last week, Adam Pyle, Life Healthcare South Africa CEO, said the group now has over 1 000 Covid-19 patients in its hospitals across the country.

Scooter tender: Investigation launched into R10m contract for Eastern Cape initiative

A R10 million tender awarded to a King William’s Town company to supply 100 ambulance scooters to the Eastern Cape Department of Health, is now under investigation.

The department confirmed that the Bid Adjudication Committee (BAC) was reviewing the processes followed in the awarding of the deal.

North West Premier Job Mokgoro checks into hospital for voluntary self-quarantine

North West Premier Job Mokgoro has chosen to go into voluntary self-quarantine on Wednesday after testing positive for Covid-19.

According to his spokesperson, Vuyisile Ngesi, Mokgoro "is in good spirits", but has taken the decision to limit his staff's exposure to Covid-19 by going into quarantine at a hospital facility.

US Covid-19 cases surge past 3 million

The United States on Wednesday passed another grim coronavirus milestone with three million confirmed cases, as President Donald Trump downplayed the risks posed by the pandemic and aggressively pushed for schools to reopen.

Life Healthcare sends in more nurses as it battles spike in Covid-19 admissions

Hospital group Life Healthcare is recruiting staff and beefing up its equipment supplies, having been faced with a shortage of nurses as its hospital admissions for Covid-19 increased sharply.

In a letter to doctors last week, Adam Pyle, Life Healthcare South Africa CEO, said the group now has over 1 000 Covid-19 patients in its hospitals across the country.

This week South Africa’s Covid-19 cases passed the 200 000 mark.

2021 intake of first year university students will likely be later than usual - Nzimande

Intake of first-year university students in 2021 may be a bit later than usual, Higher Education, Science and Technology Minister Blade Nzimande has announced.

Nzimande made the announcement during an update to the nation on measures being taken by the sector amid Covid-19.

Mkhize: Model projections indicate that while the epidemic is predicted to peak nationally at a similar time to the previously projected optimistic curve (mid-August), it does so at a lower level. This means that fewer people were infected in May and June than was previously predicted even under the optimistic scenario.

Mkhize: 48% of confirmed cases have recovered from the virus.

Also, Mkhize says during Level 3 and 4 of the lockdown, there was an increase in psoitive cases across provinces. 

Western Cape Premier Alan Winde tests positive for Covid-19

Western Cape Premier Alan Winde is self-isolating at home for the next 14 days after confirming he tested positive for Covid-19 on Wednesday.

"On Sunday, I started to develop mild flu-like symptoms. As I am diabetic (type 2) and over 55 years of age, I know I am at a higher risk of developing a more serious illness. I therefore went to be tested to determine the cause of the symptoms on Monday."

Western Cape municipal mayor dies from Covid-19

Langeberg mayor Henry Jansen has died due to Covid-19, the municipality in the Western Cape confirmed on Wednesday.

Jansen died on Tuesday afternoon after being hospitalised at the Mediclinic Worcester for more than a week, said municipal manager Soyisile Mokweni.

He was 64.

Covid-19: In Africa, lack of coronavirus data raises fears of 'silent epidemic'

African nations cannot carry out significant testing.

According to data by Reuters, Africa has over 493 000 coronavirus confirmed cases. Over 4 000 tests per million people have been carried out across the continent.

France rules out 'total lockdown' in case of new Covid-19 spike

The French government said on Wednesday it is preparing for a second wave of Covid-19 cases that could emerge in the coming months, but will not respond with another nationwide lockdown to contain the outbreak.

Trump: 'I disagree' with Fauci on Covid-19 in the US

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday said he disagrees with the assessment of the country's top immunologist, Anthony Fauci, on the dire situation the United States faces as cases of the novel coronavirus continue to spread.

It's adapt or die for small businesses battered by Covid-19

As large corporate companies look for ways for conserve cash in the wake of the devastating Covid-19 downturn, experts urge emerging enterprises to devise ways to future-proof their operations in case of later onslaughts.

Jeremy Lang, regional general manager at Business Partners, which provides lending solutions to SMMEs, says the current environment calls for enterprise owners to re-evaluate their operating model and adapt to changing business and customer needs.

Primedia latest media group to eye job cuts from economic shock of Covid-19

Primedia has become the latest local media company to raise the possibility of jobs cuts from the economic impact Covid-19.   

The group includes radio stations 702, KFM and CapeTalk, as well as national news brand EWN. It also has an advertising arm. 

The media group did not indicate how many staff may be affected. 

These 'coronavirus jobs' are in demand in SA, including Covid-19 safety officers and tutors

There are still between 16% to 20% fewer online job ads in South Africa than at the start of the year. Cleaning positions, as well as restaurant and some retail jobs have been most affected.

Covid-19: R2 billion allocated to upgrade informal settlements

More than R2 billion has been allocated to upgrade informal settlements in the hope of reducing Covid-19 infections through improved living conditions.

Funds will also be spent on providing better access to water and sanitation.

Gauteng receives the lion's share of the grant with an allocation of R694 million for 311 informal settlements identified for funding in 2020-21.

Gauteng records highest Covid-19 death toll three days running

Gauteng is quickly becoming the epicentre of coronavirus cases in South Africa, recording the most Covid-19-related deaths for three consecutive days and barely trailing behind the Western Cape in terms of positive cases.

WATCH | 'I'm not scared of losing my life' - meet some of Gauteng's 'heroes' on Covid-19 frontline

Gauteng's health department honoured healthcare workers, who have displayed high levels of excellence in their respective fields. News24 caught up with some of the recipients on their experiences in the frontline.

This comes as Gauteng is expected to reach 120 000 cases by the end of July and 300 000 by the end of August.

As of today a cumulative total of 215 855 confirmed Covid-19 cases in South Africa have been reported.

192 Covid-19 related deaths have been recorded. 15 from Limpopo, 22 from KwaZulu Natal, 36 from Eastern Cape, 44 from Western Cape and 75 from Gauteng. This brings the total deaths to 3 502.

The number of recoveries is 102 299, which translates to a recovery rate of 47,4%.

Coronavirus morning update: When other grades go back to school; and latest from the Eastern Cape

Here is when the other grades will return to school; and Eastern Cape to turn museums, hostels into field hospitals to combat risky self-isolation behaviour.

Private healthcare sector pleads for financial help from medical schemes

The Council for Medical Schemes has declined a proposal by private health sector practitioners that would see medical aid schemes tap into funds help them stay afloat, as the economic impact of the Covid-19 outbreak puts the future of medical practices in jeopardy.

Here are some of our top stories:

The number of confirmed cases of Covid-19 in South Africa on Monday topped the 200 000-case mark - double the number of cases reported just 14 days ago on 22 June.

This means that 100 000 coronavirus cases were recorded in 14 days across the country, compared to the 110 days it took since the first confirmed case on 5 March to reach the first 100 000 cases.

Back to school: Here is when the other grades will return

Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga has gazetted amended regulations on the dates when children in grades still learning from home will return to school, and join Grades R, 6, 7, 11 and 12. 

On Tuesday, Motshekga amended the regulations which form part of the Disaster Management Act.

EXPLAINER | 5 things you need to know about MEC Kegakilwe who died after short Covid-19 battle

North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs, Gordon Kegakilwe died on Monday after a short battle with Covid-19.

WHO says Covid-19 isn't airborne - 239 scientists disagree - either way, precautions should remain

An open letter from 239 scientists to the World Health Organisation contains an alarming message. "We are concerned that the lack of recognition of the risk of airborne transmission of Covid-19 and the lack of clear recommendations on the control measures against the airborne virus will have significant consequences," they wrote.

US formally starts its withdrawal from WHO

President Donald Trump has formally started the withdrawal of the United States from the World Health Organisation, making good on threats over the UN body's response to the coronavirus, officials said Tuesday.

KZN records first Covid-19 infant death

KwaZulu-Natal had its first infant death when a five-month-old baby died after contracting Covid-19, the health department said in a statement on Tuesday.

The United States has formally notified the United Nations that it will withdraw from the World Health Organization, whose coronavirus response has been harshly criticised by President Donald Trump, officials said Tuesday.

The United States told UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres that the WHO's biggest contributor will leave effective July 6, 2021, a State Department spokesperson and another official said.

EXPLAINER | 5 things you need to know about MEC Kegakilwe who died after short Covid-19 battle

North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs, Gordon Kegakilwe died on Monday after a short battle with Covid-19.

Premier Job Mokgoro, said Kegakilwe was admitted with Covid-19-related pneumonia on Sunday afternoon at the Vryburg Private Hospital. 

Lockdown: Land occupation will not be tolerated - Sisulu

Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation Minister Lindiwe Sisulu has said while evictions were not allowed during the national lockdown, land occupations would not be tolerated.

Sisulu and her officials briefed the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) on the department's Covid-19 response plan on Tuesday.

The World Health Organization said on Tuesday that experts from the global body would travel to China at the weekend to prepare a study of the origins of the novel coronavirus and how it jumped from animals to humans.

"The best place to start is clearly where the disease emerged in humans first, and where the disease emerged in humans first, where the first clusters of atypical pneumonia occurred, was in Wuhan," Dr Mike Ryan head of the WHO's emergencies programme, told a news briefing in Geneva.

Heavily criticised by the United States and others who have accused it of secrecy and a late response to the outbreak, which emerged in the central city of Wuhan late last year, China has said it was transparent throughout the early stages of the pandemic.

-Reuters

North West Premier Job Mokgoro tests positive for Covid-19

North West Premier Job Mokgoro has tested positive for Covid-19, according to a statement by his spokesperson, Vuyisile Ngesi, on Tuesday.

Mokgoro will be in self-isolation, Ngesi said.

"The premier will therefore continue to discharge his duties, albeit remotely, and has instructed members of the premier's support staff, who have worked with him closely in the last two weeks to test, while taking the necessary precautions," Ngesi said.