The Limpopo and KwaZulu-Natal education departments have suspended the return of Grade 3 and Grade 10 pupils to school.

The grades had been due to to return on Monday, along with several grades from schools for pupils with severe intellectual disabilities and those with autistic pupils.

Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga had specified that these grades be phased in, in directions published in the Government Gazette amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

A Durban doctor has reported having a Covid-19 patient who has been re-infected three months after her initial infection.

Dr Yuvan Maharaj, who runs a practice in Prospection, said the patient had initially received her positive results on 9 March, a negative test two weeks later, and then a positive result on 14 July.

Covid-19 forces ICC to postpone T20 World Cup in Australia

The T20 World Cup due to take place in Australia from 18 October has been postponed due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, the International Cricket Council announced Monday.

Officials said they now hoped to stage the tournament from October to November 2021.

ICC Chief Executive Manu Sawhney said: "We have undertaken a comprehensive and complex contingency planning exercise and through this process, our number one priority has been to protect the health and safety of everyone involved in the sport.

Parliament and the ANC expressed its sadness after ANC MP Martha Mmola died due to Covid-19 on Saturday.

Mmola was a member of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) as a permanent delegate from Mpumalanga. She was elected a member of the National Assembly in 2014.

Parliament's presiding officers, National Assembly Speaker Thandi Modise and NCOP chairperson Amos Masondo, said in a joint statement that they have learnt with sadness of her untimely death due to a Covid-19 related illness.

Happiness levels in SA took a dive after alcohol ban reimposed - study

Researchers analysing South Africans' moods say we are generally displaying higher happiness levels since the beginning of the national coronavirus lockdown, but reimposing the ban on the sale of alcohol led to an immediate decrease.

The research is being done by Gross National Happiness, which is the first index of its kind and measures the real-time sentiment of a country by analysing tweets.

SA Rugby boss on Kaunda Ntunja: We will miss his voice and 'broad smile'

Ntunja was considered one of the most animated and popular commentators in South African rugby and was a household name through his work as the anchor on SuperSport's Xhosa commentary team.

As a player - he played flank - Ntunja captained the SA Schools side in 2000 and was a part of the Free State Cheetahs side that won the Currie Cup in 2005.

Lockdown booze ban: Fewer trauma cases since new crackdown, says KZN Premier Zikalala

- KZN Premier Sihle Zikalala says there is an easing of pressure on the province's trauma units since the alcohol ban.

- He also revealed that more than 1 500 health care workers have tested positive for Covid-19 in total.

- This makes up for around 4% of all cases in the province.

Covid-19 wrap | Johnson not keen on second UK lockdown, 'breakthrough' coronavirus treatment

Here are the latest developments in the coronavirus crisis worldwide.

Covid-19: Alcohol ban will increase ICU capacity, but is not a long term solution – experts say

Evidence suggests that the reinstatement of the ban on the sale of alcohol will have a significant impact on trauma and hospital capacity in the coming weeks.

Ramaphosa lauds young entrepreneurs as 'silver lining to the dark Covid-19 cloud'

 - President Cyril Ramaphosa has written in his weekly newsletter that young South Africans are offering "home grown" solutions to the pandemic. 

- The government made progress in extending support to 1 000 youth-owned businesses and said this initiative would reach this target by August.

- South Africa's already-high official unemployment rate is expected to surge as a result pandemic's impact on businesses, and youth unemployment is particularly acute.  

EXPLAINER | When will the lockdown in SA end? We ask historians

Historians believe a lockdown typically ends before a pandemic ends. 

However, Covid-19 differs from past pandemics because it is longer in duration. 

The coronavirus pandemic has been raging in South Africa for more than three months without the peak being reached, while the Spanish Flu lasted around six weeks. 

'It's wrong for the DA to try and politicise Covid-19 responses' - Mkhize

Health Minister Zweli Mkhize has called on the DA to refrain from politicising the battle against the spread of the coronavirus in the country.

"Partitioning across party lines is destructive and we want to dissuade the DA from doing this. The government has intervened whenever there was a need in any part of the country, and we are always ready to support any province that is experiencing problems," he told News24.

Coronavirus morning update: Questions around PPE tenders and Cuba celebrates no local transmissions

Your latest coronavirus news: The DA raises questions around PPE tenders in Eastern Cape and Cuba has had no local Covid-19 transmissions for the first time in four months.

The DA in the Eastern Cape says it has approached the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) to probe "potential impropriety" in the awarding of several tenders to deliver personal protective equipment (PPE) to the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality.

The party said it had come to its attention an "ANC-affiliated" company, Kaziforce, was awarded a tender to deliver face masks to the embattled metro.

Presidential spokesperson Khusela Diko confirmed to News24 a media advisory being distributed on social media, which states President Cyril Ramaphosa will address the nation on Sunday at 20:00, is fake. 

The fake statement includes the phrase: "The suspension of alcohol has caused cabinet to revaluate [sic] the decision taken last week." 

Ramaphosa will not address the nation on Sunday and the statement was not issued by the Presidency as claimed.

Teachers' unions have reportedly proposed that matrics return to school on 17 August and that other grades return on a later date, subject to the evolution of the novel coronavirus.

According to a Sunday Times report, the resolution by the country's five unions that schools close amid a peak in Covid-19 infections was included in a document Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga tabled at a meeting with the CEM on Saturday.

A group of South African scientists working from a KwaZulu-Natal lab is using faecal matter to detect and track Covid-19 hotspots.

GreenHill Laboratories in Hilton, where SA's first positive Covid-19 South African was disclosed, detected SARS-CoV-2 ribonucleic acid (RNA) in sewage early in June as part of a full-service virus risk forensic programme.

ANALYSIS | Covid-19: Inconsistent info in daily updates makes it hard to track full picture

Inconsistencies in some of the key measurables in the health department's daily Covid-19 updates, especially in the early weeks of the pandemic, have raised questions about whether the public has had a complete picture.

'It's a hoax' say California's anti-mask proponents

For Davey, a resident of the city of Huntington Beach in southern California, the requirement to wear a mask to curb the spread of coronavirus is not something he takes seriously.

Data may underreport Covid-19 deaths, experts say

The official number of deaths linked to Covid-19 in South Africa doesn't reflect the true scale of the crisis, with provinces that have been hit hardest by the outbreak showing a surge in fatalities, health experts say.

Government’s Covid-19 advisories and data: News24 files applications for access, transparency

News24 has filed two requests for access to the more than 70 advisories held by the Department of Health in terms of the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA).

How tracking Covid-19 through poo is helping KZN scientists identify SA's hotspots

A group of South African scientists working from a KwaZulu-Natal lab is using faecal matter to detect and track Covid-19 hotspots.

Scientists plead for Covid-19 transparency: 'The social contract with government is broken'

Health Minister Zweli Mkhize should make the details of more than 70 advisories drafted for the government by the Ministerial Advisory Committee (MAC) on Covid-19 public because there is no reason not to do so.

Mkhize doubles down on keeping advice secret as scientists push for transparency

Health Minister Zweli Mkhize will not be releasing any of the more than 70 medical advisories drafted by the Ministerial Advisory Committee (MAC) on Covid-19, despite calls from senior scientific advisors that it can only enhance public understanding of the pandemic.

ANALYSIS | When it comes to accountability, it doesn’t matter if it's Zuma or Ramaphosa

The government has issued a raft of regulations in the more than four months since Covid-19 made landfall in South Africa. But President Cyril Ramaphosa has not called a single press conference or once invited journalists to question his decisions or examine the government's reasoning. It leaves democracy weaker, argues Pieter du Toit.

Coronavirus morning update: Attempt to steal PPE leads to shootout, and Cosas firm on schools stance

An attempt to steal PPE leads to deadly shootout, and Cosas will not back down on the call to shut down schools.

The World Health Organization reported a record increase in global coronavirus cases on Saturday, with the total rising by 259 848 in 24 hours.

The biggest increases were from the United States, Brazil, India and South Africa, according to a daily report. 

The previous WHO record for new cases was 237 743 on Friday.

Deaths rose by 7 360, the biggest one-day increase since May. 10.

As of today, a cumulative total of 350 879 confirmed Covid-19 cases in South Africa have been recorded with 13 285 new cases identified.

144 new Covid-19 related deaths brings the cumulative number of deaths to 4948.

The number of recoveries currently stands at 182 230, which translates to a recovery rate of 52%

Covid-19: Many adults going hungry for the sake of their children, new data shows

Hunger has increased across the board under South Africa’s Covid-19 lockdown – and new evidence indicates that parents, especially mothers, are giving their food to their kids.

Everyday Heroes | Meet the South Africans who go the extra mile during Covid-19

As the world continues to battle Covid-19, South Africans have once again shown resilience, leadership, compassion, creativity and vision in the face of great adversity.

Many have stepped up to help their own communities and others in need. Some, like Jane Johns from Cape Town, ran marathons in their gardens to raise money to feed the needy.

Others, like 27-year-old Moeletji Mphahlele used their businesses to collect and donate masks and food.

These South Africans are our everyday heroes, and today, on Mandela Day, we are celebrating them.

Q&A with Cosas: Some ANC leaders want schools open 'for their own business arrangements'

Some may be arguing for and against the closure of the country's schools in the face of rapidly increasing Covid-19 infections, but the Congress for South African Students (Cosas) is adamant that a national shutdown is the only way to go.

News24 spoke to Cosas' national spokesperson Douglas Ngobeni about the way forward.

27 of the most creative face masks from around the world

Who says you can't look great while protecting yourself and others?Due to the coronavirus pandemic, face masks have became a part of most people's wardrobes, and some people are having a little fun with it.

Artists, designers, and everyday people have shown their creativity by turning face masks into art projects and expressions of identity.

PODCAST | THE STORY: Schools under pressure as SA's Covid-19 pandemic gains momentum

On this week's episode of The Story, we try to make sense of what lies ahead for South Africa's fraught education system, and the country's schoolchildren, in the midst of an unpredictable pandemic.

Coronavirus morning update: Reduced isolation time for Covid patients, and tavern owners ultimatum

Patients who test positive for Covid-19 will now be isolated for a period of 10 days; and tavern owners give President Ramaphosa an ultimatum over the alcohol sales ban.

The Covid-19 death toll has hit 4 804, while the number of cases now sits at 337 594.

There have been 178 103 recoveries.

Here are today’s top stories

Health Minister Zweli Mkhize has announced that the isolation period has dropped from 14 days to 10 days. This after his department considered new information from several from several sources, including the World Health Organisation.

In what is sure to create a stir among the public, the director of the National Institute of Communicable Diseases Lucile Blumberg has said there is no direct evidence linking smoking with severe cases of Covid-19. The sale of tobacco has been banned since the lockdown began back in March, much to the chagrin of smokers and tobacco manufacturers, and the government has had this regulation challenged before the courts.

The economic strain caused by the pandemic continues to be felt, with GroundUp now reporting that children in an area of the Eastern Cape are eating plants for sustainence. Research released earlier this week said about three million jobs have been lost since the pandemic began. 

Introducing #CovidConnect, a new technological innovation that allows you to access vital #COVID19 information, receive test results and advice on how to manage your symptoms. pic.twitter.com/1fMTaJfvcX

— Department of Health: COVID-19 (@COVID_19_ZA) July 17, 2020

Amid the uncertainty and panic surrounding the reopening of schools, a school governing bodies organisation believes there is no need for a shutdown just yet. The Federation of Governing Bodies of SA, one of the stakeholders engaging with the government, says schools should remain open since it is unclear when the Covid-19 peak will end.

 As lockdown regulations around sport begin to ease, eight rugby teams, including the Sharks, Bulls, Stormers and Lions have begun non-contact training. SA Rugby said it is still working to devise a return for the Springboks to play sometime this year.

A Kenyan prison warden has been arrested for allegedly raping a Covid-19 patient in one of the country’s state-run quarantine facilities, according to an internal report seen by Reuters. The incident has highlighted concerns over apparently substandard conditions at some quarantine facilities in the country.

The world’s first e-pilgrimage has been held, as about 80 million people joined in online for a ceremony at France’s Lourdes Roman Catholic shrine. People traditionally make their way to France to light a candle in the sanctuary, where it is believed the Virgin Mary appeared. However, lockdowns across the world meant this was not possible at this point.

Stay informed with News24

Special report | We remember those who died of Covid-19.
Lockdown latest | No booze, new curfew - Here are the latest changes made by government
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

Answering a question about the revised number of quarantine days, Mkhize says they are implemented with immediate effect. 

He says the new guidelines apply to health workers as well, but they will get tested again on their fifth day of isolation.

Regarding the track and trace system, a questioner asks whether the system has been used in hotspots, Mkhize says the system has been used in communities where track and trace mechanisms needed to be "reinforced" by bringing in community leaders to get residents to understand the approach and comply. He says there was a "degree of reluctance in the Western Cape, especially the metro... but this is a matter of continuous engagement" to find out why this was, he says. 

He says it is important for the department to know patients' addresses to advise them on where to go for quarantine, but also so the government has a sense of where the hotspots are.

The team presenting the Covid Connect system say users' data is "fully protected" by the system, saying no data is shared with anyone apart from certain people within the health department. 

He says manual contact tracing is still ongoing, and the digital system merely supplements it. "It is a whole combination... nothing gets removed or replaced by this platform (the digital system)." 

Mkhize's briefing has ended

Mkhize explains contact tracing system, Covid Connect

The minister says asymptomatic patients present a problem, saying that those patients must remain in isolation for 10 days following a positive test. 

He says the department has considered advice that quarantine periods could be as short as eight days, but this is still under consideration. 

He says it is not necessary for people to get tested after quarantine if they are feeling better, as research has shown that the virus gets weaker. 

Mkhize says the Ministerial Advisory Committee is also looking at assisting health workers when it comes to them contracting Covid-19. 

The minister describes the track and trace process - where those positive with the virus and those who come into contact with people who are positive - are contacted by the health department. 

He says the digital system, Covid Contact, the department is using at the moment is freely accessible via WhatsApp, but it will be available for phones which cannot support WhatsApp.

Users can get their information and advice on whether to self-isolate or their lab results. 

The system also allows the user to take a screening for symptoms on WhatsApp, where the user answers questions and, based on answers, is given advice on what to do.

The system works like this: When a patient tests positive, they are informed via SMS; the patient is given more information to inform their contacts; the system then informs contacts and advises them on what to do; the system can geo-locate the nearest quarantine zone. Users can also get useful tips on the system. 

Lab results get collated by Covid Connect and the results are SMSed to patients. A link in the SMS takes the patient to a web page where they can find their results and share information. The Covid Connect system also offers the patient several resources, like advice on self-monitoring and a page to declare any people they may have come into contact with. 

To use this service, send a WhatsApp message to 0600 123456 for information. If you don't have a smartphone, dial *134*832#.

Mkhize says the pandemic requires all citizens to heed the advice of the contact tracing system and to take it seriously. He says the system does not compromise people's personal information or confidentiality. 

Mkhize begins his briefing...

He announces that the Covid-19 isolation period for quarantine has been reduced from 14 days to 10 days. He says it has been proven that in mild cases the infection is only present for about eight days. 

Mkhize to provide an update at 19:30

Health Minister Zweli Mkhize is set to hold a briefing at 19:30 to discuss government’s new approach to tracking and tracing Covid-19 patients and those they come into contact with, and also to provide an update on the revised guidelines for patients to de-isolate.

The health department previously announced that it planned to use cellphone date to conduct effective contact tracing of those who had come into contact with people who’ve tested positive for Covid-19.

However, on the department subsequently told Western Cape MPLs that the plan proved unfeasible due to technical problems and privacy concerns.

The goal of the system would have been to determine the location and movement of people who tested positive, as well as how many people had been in close contact with them.

But based on the technology available in South Africa and the volumes of cases expected, it would have taken days for the department to get that information, MPLs were told.

Mkhize’s briefing will be broadcast live on News24.

SA's coronavirus cash is in safe hands, Solidarity Fund head promises

Interim CEO of the Solidarity Fund, Nomkhita Nqweni, has assured that the fund would observe the highest level of standard as it disperses its fund to fight Covid-19.

Nqweni added there is also a structure of governance within the fund, including the board and sub-committees who look at the audit.

These structures, she added, look at what is dispersed and decisions made.

Hospersa calls 100% taxi capacity a 'death nail' to Covid-19 fight

The The Health and Other Services Personnel Trade Union of South Africa (Hospersa) has slammed government’s "reckless" decision to allow 100% taxi loading capacity.

"Hospersa condemns this reckless decision which has all but killed our fighting chance against Covid-19," said Hospersa general secretary Noel Desfontaines in a statement.

"This decision will increase the risk of transmission among the many health workers who use public transport to commute to work and thereby putting the health sector on the brink of collapse as more staff members will need to self-quarantine" added Desfontaines.

On Sunday, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that taxi operators will now be allowed to operate at 100% capacity for short distances and 70% capacity for long distance travel.

What's more, taxi drivers must allow ventilation by opening windows and must ensure passengers wear masks.

Hospersa has slammed this decision calling it reckless and has jeopardised the country’s fight against Covid-19.

"Giving the green light to taxi operators to load full capacity is all but a death nail to this fight against this deadly virus and for those that make use of this form of public transport."  

Covid-19 in the Western Cape: Numbers 'stable' for the past 10 days, says health dept

Covid-19 numbers in the Western Cape are said to have been "stable" for the past 10 days, the health department has said, but it will still prepare for any eventuality with regards to the long-term trajectory.

The Western Cape currently has the second highest number of infections in the country at 82 986, or 25.6% of the national total.

Covid-19: What the science says on some of the treatments that have been tried, but not worked

As Covid-19 progresses, researchers are seeing which drugs work as treatments. What is the reason why these two potential agents were not successful?

Keep schools open because 'nobody knows when peak will end', says Fedsas amid Covid-19 uncertainty

While consultations continue between the Department of Basic Education (DBE) and stakeholders regarding whether schools should close or remain open during the Covid-19 peak, the Federation of Governing Bodies of South African Schools (Fedsas) is of the view there is no need for a shutdown.

'No direct evidence' linking smoking with 'severe' Covid-19, but not a good idea, says NICD director

There is no direct evidence that links smoking with severe Covid-19 cases. However, given tobacco's impact on the lungs, this could be possible, according to Professor Lucille Blumberg, deputy director of the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD).

Defence Minister Mapisa-Nqakula and her husband recover from Covid-19

Defence and Military Veterans Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula and her husband Charles, who is the national security advisor to the President, recently tested positive for Covid-19, but have recovered.

Minister in the Presidency Jackson Mthembu on Friday said the pair were still in self-isolation and had been working from home.

"We are glad that all their symptoms have cleared and we are looking forward to them finishing their 14 days of mandatory self-quarantine period," he said.

Covid-19 wrap: 588 753 global deaths, India passes 1m infections and Sweden tops EU for new cases

The capital of China's far-western Xinjiang region curtailed most flights into the city on Friday and has shut down subway and public bus services after several coronavirus infections were detected, government authorities and state-controlled media said.