The Covid-19 death toll has hit 7 497, while the number of cases now sits at 471 123, Health Minister Zweli Mkhize says.

There have been 297 967 recoveries.

Here's a recap of Wednesday's top stories

Police will be launching an investigation for alleged contravention of regulations in the Disaster Management Act relating to people gathering for an alleged gathering at Andrew Mlangeni's house on Tuesday. This comes after police received complaints that those mourners should be arrested.

Presidency spokesperson Khusela Diko has spoken out about the alleged tender scandal that she and her husband are caught up in, saying their applying for the tender was an error of judgement, but denied using any political influence over the deal. She has taken a leave of absence over the issue.

The Western Cape wants a meeting with national government ministers to discuss possibly allowing the province to unlock further sectors of the economy on the basis that the province has passed its Covid-19 peak.

This year’s Cape Town Sevens rugby event has been cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic. It had been scheduled to take place in early December at Cape Town Stadium. The Dubai leg of the series has also been cancelled.

The tobacco war continues, with British American Tobacco now saying in court papers that the government’s justification for banning the sale of cigarettes has “few benefits and immense harm”. The case is set to be heard in court in August.

What role are traditional healers playing to curb the spread of Covid-19, and to educate people about it? We did a Q and A with the Congress of Traditional Leaders of South Africa.

Stay informed with News24

Special report | We remember those who died of Covid-19.
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

Muslims begin downsized hajj, Gambian president in self-isolation - International Covid-19 news

Mask-clad Muslims began the hajj on Wednesday, circling Islam's holiest site along socially distanced paths in the smallest pilgrimage in modern history as the Saudi hosts strive to prevent a coronavirus outbreak.

The Gambia's President Adama Barrow went into self-isolation on Wednesday, his office said, after the West African state's vice president tested positive for coronavirus.

And, financial firms will face closer scrutiny of how they deal with an expected rise in vulnerable customers as Covid-19 relief measures are phased out after October, Britain's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) says. 

Greece will this year return 1.4 billion euros to pensioners whose income was slashed during the financial crisis of the past decade, the country's prime minister said.

The European Commission has ordered 30 000 treatment doses of the antiviral medication remdesivir from US drugs giant Gilead.

A Bosnian minister for veterans affairs died Wednesday after contracting the novel coronavirus, state television channel BHRT reported.

More than 16.83 million people have been reported to be infected by the novel coronavirus globally and 660 997 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

BREAKING | Police to investigate contravention of lockdown regulations for gathering at Andrew Mlangeni house

Police will be launching an investigation for alleged contravention of regulations in the Disaster Management Act related to people gathering for an alleged gathering at Andrew Mlangeni's house on Tuesday. 

Police spokesperson Brigadier Vish Naidoo said the police were notified "via various media platforms" that mourners who visited the house should be arrested.

He said the docket will be handed to prosecutors for a decision on whether to charge mourners.

More to follow

SANDF officials caught on camera smoking during Andrew Mlangeni's funeral

Three South African National Defence Force (SANDF) members have been caught on camera smoking during the funeral service of anti-apartheid activist Andrew Mlangeni on Wednesday.

The three officials were caught by a Newzroom Afrika cameraman during the funeral service with their face masks lowered, lighting cigarettes while standing in close proximity.

The sale of tobacco has been banned under lockdown regulations which means the officials could have broken government's cigarette ban.

Winde wants NDZ, Mkhize to consider 'differentiated approach' for Western Cape as deaths flatten

The Western Cape needs different Covid-19 rules, to allow urgent economic activity and stop the "pandemic number two: unemployment, hunger and starvation".

This was argued by Premier Alan Winde on Wednesday at his weekly digicon - calling for an urgent meeting with the two lead national ministers dealing with Covid-19 - Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma and Health Minister Zweli Mhkhize.

Winde said the lockdown regulations had caused "pandemic number two" - the economic catastrophe it had induced. The Western Cape now urgently needed a "differentiated" approach to the national regulations - to unlock the opening up of economic sectors currently battling to survive.

Trump ditches new tone on coronavirus to tout questionable theories 

President Donald Trump's much-heralded new tone on the coronavirus pandemic evaporated on Tuesday in a burst of misleading medical speculation, criticism for his own top virus expert, and praise for an eccentric preacher-doctor touting conspiracy theories.

Just a week ago, Trump sought to get his shaky reelection campaign back on track by addressing national criticism of a leadership void in a crisis that has already killed nearly 150 000 Americans and wreaked havoc on the world's biggest economy.

The president admitted things were going to "get worse before they get better". He indicated he was embracing the science. He finally urged the wearing of masks.

But at a press conference in the White House on Tuesday, it was the old Trump in full.

He said it was unfair that the leading US infectious diseases specialist Anthony Fauci was more popular than him.

School reopening: SGB body, unions call for new directions to be gazetted as confusion reigns 

The future of schools and what happens beyond the four-week break is still causing confusion, unions and school governing bodies say. 

The Department of Basic Education is yet to gazette updated regulations and school calendar dates after schools had to close again due to concerns about rising Covid-19 infections. 

Last Thursday, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that Cabinet had decided public schools should stop on-site teaching from 27 July until 24 August. 

The Federation of Governing Bodies of South African Schools (Fedsas) said it was still waiting for the department to issue new regulations before deciding on a plan of action to address its concerns.

British American Tobacco SA says cigarette ban an 'exercise in smoke and mirrors' in court filing 

South Africa's largest cigarette manufacturer, British American Tobacco, says the state's justification for banning the sale of tobacco products during lockdown is an "exercise in smoke and mirrors" that has produced "few benefits and immense harm".

BATSA is set to challenge the ban in the Western Cape High Court next month.

The government defeated an earlier court challenge to unban cigarettes from the Fair Trade Independent Tobacco Association in June, with the court ruling that it fell within the powers of the state under the Disaster Management Act to ban the sale of tobacco.

But BATSA, whose brands include Dunhill, Peter Stuyvesant, and Lucky Strike, says it will be introducing new legal arguments not heard in the FITA case.

Mboweni slams IMF loan speculation as 'urban legend' 

Minister of Finance Tito Mboweni used his appearance during a virtual parliamentary plenary on Wednesday to quash speculation regarding the $4.3-billion International Monetary Fund loan and its implications for the fiscus, calling this nothing more than "urban legend". 

The adjustments appropriation bill debate, which took place on Wednesday morning, came after National Treasury announced on Monday evening that the IMF executive board approved a loan to South Africa to fight the Covid-19 pandemic, which at current exchange rates amounts to around R70 billion.

Almost immediately, the news was met with speculation by politicians and members of Parliament on social media, questioning why South Africa would need to utilise a loan from the IMF when it was already dispensing a stimulus package.

Shock data: A fifth of SA employees did not receive a salary in June 

*New payroll data shows that 21% fewer salary payments were made in June, compared to the same month last year.

*Daily and weekly wage earners were worst effected. 

*Salaries also declined, compared to last year.

"We have seen this massive slide in salaries processed by BankservAfrica and through the National Payment System in recent months. However, the figure in June is most reflective of the heavy toll that the current Covid-19 crisis has placed on employers and employees who are faced with major financial distress under the current circumstances," says Shergeran Naidoo, head of stakeholder engagements: BankservAfrica.

Worldwide coronavirus cases cross 16.82 million, death toll at 660 546

More than 16.82 million people have been reported to be infected by the novel coronavirus globally and 660 546 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  

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Covid-19 wrap: Hong Kong 'on brink of' outbreak, 50% of Mumbai's slum residents had virus - study 

Hong Kong 'on brink of large-scale' coronavirus outbreak

Hong Kong's leader Carrie Lam has warned the city is on the brink of a "large-scale" coronavirus outbreak that could overwhelm hospitals, urging people to stay indoors as much as possible as strict new measures to curb the disease's spread have taken effect.

Germany: Coronavirus vaccine unlikely to be widely available before mid-2021     

Germany awarded three biotech companies grants to help them speed up the development of coronavirus vaccine candidates, but Research Minister Anja Karliczek said any vaccine was unlikely to be widely available before the middle of next year.

Britain has no alternative to quarantine yet, minister says

Britain does not yet have a viable alternative to imposing a 14-day quarantine on travelers returning from countries deemed to have a high risk of coronavirus, culture minister Oliver Dowden said on Wednesday.

Sale of Burger King SA renegotiated due to Covid-19 impact 

Listed food and gaming empowerment group, Grand Parade Investments, (GPI) announced on Wednesday that it has renegotiated the terms of an agreement to sell 100% of its interest in Burger King South Africa (BKSA) and Grand Foods Meat Plant (GFMP) to private equity group Emerging Capital Partners (ECP).

GPI launched the US fast food brand Burger King in South Africa in May 2013.

Under the revised offer, the enterprise value for the transactions has fallen to R593 million, split into R570 million for Burger King SA and R23 million for Grand Foods Meat Plant. This represents a 15% discount on the initial offer of R670 million for BKSA and R27 million for GFMP.

Covid-19: SA's recovery rate improves to 62.5% as total cases creep toward 500 000

Of the 459 761 confirmed Covid-19 cases in South Africa, the number of recoveries* currently stands at 287 313, which translates to a recovery rate of 62.5%, or nearly two-thirds, Health Minister Zweli Mkhize announced on Tuesday night.

With the total number of recoveries nearing the 300 000 mark, the rate of recovery in the country has also seen some improvement, from 61% on Monday. 

This means South Africa's recovery rate is well above the global average of 58.2%.

On Tuesday, Mkhize said a cumulative total of 452 529 confirmed Covid-19 cases in South Africa had been recorded.

The total number of tests conducted by Tuesday stood at 2 830 635 with 28 424 new tests conducted since the last report dated 27 July.

Cape Town Sevens cancelled due to Covid-19

This year's Cape Town Sevens event has been cancelled due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, World Rugby announced on Wednesday. 

The event at Cape Town Stadium was provisionally scheduled for 4-6 December this year.

The Dubai leg of the series - with which the Cape Town event is paired - has also been cancelled.

The events were due to be the first two legs on the 10-tournament 2020/2021 World Rugby Sevens Series.

World Rugby, its partners, SA Rugby and the Dubai organisers undertook a comprehensive consultation process and constructive dialogue to reach the conclusion.

Narcissists and psychopaths more likely to defy coronavirus guidelines

People with 'dark' personality traits, such as psychopaths and narcissists, are less likely to comply with pandemic regulations, including wearing a mask, says a new study.

Some of us have been doing our best to help fight the spread of the new coronavirus that is ravaging the world. On the other hand, there are others who simply refuse to wear face masks and practise physical distancing, and experts may have some insight into their non-compliance with these guidelines.

According to a new study, published in the journal Personality and Individual Differences, participants with 'Dark Triad' traits, including narcissism, psychopathy, and Machiavellianism, are less likely to engage in preventative behaviour.

More than this, they also found that they are more likely to stockpile goods such as food and toilet paper.

Worldwide coronavirus cases cross 16.76 million, death toll at 659 413

More than 16.76 million people have been reported to be infected by the novel coronavirus globally and 659 413 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

US coronavirus daily deaths rise by nearly 1 300 for first time since May

US deaths from the novel coronavirus rose by nearly 1 300 on Tuesday, the biggest one-day increase since May, according to a Reuters tally.

California, Florida and Texas, the three most populous states, reported one-day record spikes in deaths on Tuesday, together accounting for 584 of the 1 292 new deaths. Arkansas, Montana and Oregon also had one-day record increases in Covid-19 fatalities.

Tuesday's surge in deaths comes on top of US deaths rising on a weekly basis for three weeks in a row. Last week, fatalities increased by over 1 000 for four days in a row.

A spike in infections in Arizona, California, Florida and Texas this month has overwhelmed hospitals. The rise has forced states to make a U-turn on reopening economies that were restricted by lockdowns in March and April to slow the spread of the virus.

The United States has lost nearly 150 000 people in total since the virus was first detected in the country in January, the highest number in the world. Cases rose by over 64 000 on Tuesday to a total of 4.38 million.

Of the 20 countries with the biggest outbreaks, the United States ranks sixth for deaths per capita, at 4.5 fatalities per 10 000 people. It is exceeded by the United Kingdom, Spain, Italy, Peru and Chile.

 - REUTERS

ANC in Gauteng to hold meeting to discuss awarding of controversial PPE tenders 

The ANC in Gauteng will hold an urgent meeting on Wednesday to discuss the Gauteng health department's controversial procurement of personal protective equipment (PPE).

The special meeting comes amid allegations of corruption relating to a R125 million PPE tender awarded to Royal Bacha projects.

On Monday, the party's provincial secretary, Jacob Khawe, summoned Premier David Makhura and Health MEC Bandile Masuku to hear their sides of the story.

The health department has been embroiled in corruption claims, with the Sunday Independent reporting it had awarded Royal Bacha - owned by the Amabhaca king, Madzikane II Thandisizwe Diko, who is the spouse of presidential spokesperson Khusela Diko - the R125 million PPE contract.

Covid-19: 'I refused to let go' - nurse pulls through after being treated at hospital she works at

A Pietermaritzburg nurse who contracted Covid-19 says being a patient at the very hospital she works at helped her realise the little things nurses do, count for a lot. 

Nimmi Biswardutt, 47, a nurse in the cardiothoracic intensive care unit (ICU) at Mediclinic Pietermaritzburg, said her days normally consisted of helping doctors, patients and in general, giving back to people. But after contracting the deadly virus, the tables were turned on her. 

Her outlook on her industry and the value of the work she and other nurses do was put into perspective after realising something was amiss earlier this month.

Alarm bells went off when she suddenly lost her sense of taste and smell.

"I could not taste anything and would shiver and had generalised body pain. That's when I realised something was not right and that I should phone my physician."

EXPLAINER | Why have 11 000 'excess deaths' been recorded between May and June 

The South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) has recorded almost 11 000 "excess deaths" from natural causes in its weekly death report last week. 

"Excess deaths" meant that nationally, from 6 May to 7 July, 10 994 more deaths from natural causes were recorded than anticipated, the report said. 

It also means reported deaths have shown a pattern that is completely different from those indicated by historical trends.

"The weekly death reports have revealed a huge discrepancy between the country's confirmed Covid-19 deaths and a number of excess natural deaths," the SAMRC's chief specialist scientist, Professor Debbie Bradshaw, said in the report. 

OPINION

Melanie Verwoerd | Is our lockdown the worst in the world? 

When comparing lockdowns around the world, South Africa's has been the longest but it may be for our own good, writes Melanie Verwoerd. 

It seems that our sense of victimhood has reached an all-time high.

Now let me be clear – this lockdown is not fun! Not for anybody.

It is testing our resilience emotionally, physically and financially. People are losing their jobs, businesses, income - and all against the background of more and more deaths every day.

It is devastatingly hard for the vast majority of people, across racial and economic lines.

It is therefore natural that we want to blame someone for the hardship – and unsurprisingly the government and even the president seem to be in the firing line.

ICYMI: 

Africa is approaching one million Covid-19 cases - here's how countries are faring 

Africa is now edging towards a million cases of coronavirus, but experts warn far worse lies ahead in a continent struggling with fragile health systems and slender economic resources.

Countries across Africa have recorded more than 850 000 infections and at least 18 000 deaths, according to an AFP tally as of Tuesday.

The toll took a while to move into higher gear thanks to early restrictions on contact and movement, Dr Mary Stephens, an expert at the World Health Organisation (WHO) Africa office, told AFP.

"We haven't seen the peak yet," she warned. "All countries in Africa are at risk because our health systems are relatively weak."

Covid-19: 'Mass fatalities' emergency morgue opens in Cape Town

An emergency mass-morgue to hold hundreds of bodies is up and running in the Western Cape.

ANALYSIS | Are SA consumers in a deflationary danger zone?

Last week the central bank's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) cut interest rates by 25 basis points, believing inflation to be contained for the medium term. The bank has, so far, cut interest rates by 300 basis points, bringing the repo to 3.5%.

Coronavirus morning update: Latest on Gauteng PPE tenders, and WHO warns pandemic is 'one big wave'

According to the Gauteng health department, 167 companies got tenders for Covid-19 work, R159m the highest amount paid; and the WHO warns that the pandemic is "one big wave".

The Covid-19 death toll has hit 7 257, while the number of cases now sits at 459 761.

There have been 287 313 recoveries.

Here are today’s top stories

Eastern Cape is bracing for an even tougher month in August, where the Covid-19 cases are expected to double. Among the province’s plans to curb problems is to rope in 2 278 temporary teachers to replace those who have underlying health problems. There are also plans for a new R840 million field hospital.

A business lobby group expects the pandemic-hit economy to take as long as two years to recover, saying that the peak of cases is expected by late August. Business for South Africa estimates another 1.5 million jobs to be lost going forward.

The University of Cape Town says it will finish the 2020 academic year through remote teaching. The university said it would not be able to maintain proper physical distancing should it allow students to return to campus. Post-graduate research students, however, may be allowed to return to campus to complete research projects.

There have been calls within the ANC in Gauteng for the provincial government to act on health MEC Bandile Masuku, who is caught up in allegations of corruption related to the awarding of Covid-19-realted tenders. Some are calling for Masuku to step aside, despite the current health crisis.

And finally, Twitter removed a video retweeted by US President Donald Trump on the basis it contained misleading information about Covid-19. The video depicted doctors claiming masks and lockdowns were not required to combat the pandemic.

Stay informed with News24

Special report | We remember those who died of Covid-19.
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

Thulas Nxesi discharged from hospital

Employment and Labour Minister Thulas Nxesi has been discharged from hospital after being admitted for Covid-19.

Nxesi had tested positive on 17 July and was hospitalised on 21 July. Although discharged, he will remain in self-isolation until he fully recover, the Presidency said in a statement. 

This follows the news at the weekend of Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe being discharged from hospital. 

Pandemic costs global tourism $320bn, virus 'worsening hunger in southern Africa' - International Covid-19 news

The coronavirus crisis cost the global tourism sector $320 billion in lost revenue during the first five months of 2020, threatening the livelihoods of millions of people, the UN says.

Global air traffic will not return to levels seen before the coronavirus pandemic until at least 2024, the International Air Transport Association said on Tuesday.

And, Nearly 45 million people in 13 countries in southern Africa are food-insecure as a result of drought and flood and the impact of coronavirus, the region's bloc says.

North Korea introduced tougher curbs against the coronavirus on Tuesday, state media reported, after it locked down the town Kaesong, on the border with the South, to tackle what could be its first publicly confirmed infection.

More than 50 countries will participate in what aims to be the first major in-person film festival of the Covid era, from 2 - 12 September.

Eastern Cape braces for toughest month in August, cases expected to double in six weeks

Premier Oscar Mabuyane has warned the Eastern Cape will be bracing for their toughest month in August in the fight against Covid-19 as cases of infections are expected to double. 

Covid-19 is also forcing the Eastern Cape government to hire 2 278 temporary teachers at a cost of R325 million, in order to replace high-risk teachers who have underlying health complications that make them vulnerable. 

In preparation for the storm, Mabuyane announced the provincial government has invested an additional amount of R2.5 billion to the provincial health department from the province's adjustment budget.

Pakistan urges Eid al-Adha worshippers to buy sacrificial animals online prevent Covid-19 surge

Pakistani authorities are encouraging people to buy sacrificial animals online or at least wear masks when visiting cattle markets, fearing preparations for the Muslim festival of Eid al-Adha could reverse a decline in Covid-19 infection numbers.

Government social-distancing restrictions this year including half-day closing have seen a drop in customers at the normally bustling markets which, like in other Muslim countries, are set up in urban centres ahead of one of Islam's most important festivals.

The main cattle market of Karachi, Pakistan's largest city, was less busy on Sunday than in preceding years with just six days before festivities, Reuters witnesses said. Trader Allah Ditta, who travelled hundreds of miles to sell his stock, told Reuters his customers had almost halved.

Twitter removes Trump's Covid-19 'misinformation' video

Twitter has withdrawn a video retweeted by President Donald Trump in which doctors made allegedly false claims about the coronavirus pandemic, after Facebook took similar action.

"Tweets with the video are in violation of our Covid-19 misinformation policy," a Twitter spokesperson said, declining to give details on how many people had watched the video.

The video shows a group of doctors claiming masks and lockdowns were not required to halt the disease had been watched by 14 million people on Facebook before it was removed, according to media reports.

Countries tighten curbs over fears of ‘second wave’

Governments across the world imposed new restrictions in a bid to cool coronavirus hotspots as new infections shot up in some countries, sparking fears of a second wave.

The World Health Organisation warned that the virus does not appear to be affected by seasonality and the global death toll from the pandemic passed 654 000 on Tuesday, nearly a third of that number in Europe, according to an AFP tally.

More than 100 000 deaths have been recorded since 9 July and the global toll has doubled in just over two months.

Iran suffered its worst day yet of the pandemic, reporting 235 new deaths on Tuesday, a record toll for a single day in the Middle East's hardest-hit country.

Chinese authorities scrambled to halt the possibility of a second wave of infections after a new coronavirus cluster in the northwest port city of Dalian spread to other provinces.

In recent months, a number of small outbreaks have given cause for concern, with China reporting 68 new infections on Tuesday - the highest daily number since April.

Meanwhile, the UK over the weekend introduced a mandatory 14-day quarantine for travellers returning from Spain which has seen an uptick in cases in recent weeks.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson warned Tuesday of a "second wave" in Europe.

Spain's tourism industry faced fresh misery as Germany also issued a travel warning against parts of the country.

Greece said it will reopen six of its ports, including Piraeus in Athens, to cruise ships at the weekend but made masks compulsory again in shops and public services in response to a recent rise in infections.

The World Health Organisation meanwhile warned against false beliefs that summer is safer and could slow the spread of the pandemic.

"Season does not seem to be affecting the transmission of this virus," WHO spokesperson Margaret Harris told reporters.

- AFP

Nehawu plans August protests after visits reveal dangerous public health working conditions 

A fact-finding mission by the National Education, Health and Allied Workers' Union (Nehawu) has revealed a dangerous work environment for health workers across the country.

Reasons for this are, according to the union, a lack of protection gear for staff and a "destabilising management" style.

Speaking at a briefing on Tuesday, Nehawu's general secretary Zola Saphetha detailed the findings of their visits, conducted by the union's national office bearers.

The mission focused on the provinces hardest hit by Covid-19, including Eastern Cape, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and Western Cape.

EFF calls IMF loan the biggest political blunder, DA says it's a watershed moment for SA 

The $4.3 billion (R70 billion) loan government received from the International Monetary Fund's (IMF) executive board was the biggest political blunder in the history of South Africa, the EFF said in a statement.

The EFF has cautioned that loans from the IMF always come with "neoliberal" and "neocolonial" conditions. The party added that whether immediately or in the long run, the IMF would impose conditions on the country, "which will certainly undermine South Africa's macroeconomic and fiscal policy sovereignty".

"[President Cyril] Ramaphosa is proving to be the biggest danger to South Africa's sovereignty against neocolonialism. Whilst he is allowing his colleagues and family to loot state resources, he is also sacrificing our country to the highest bidders on the altar of capitalist convenience," the EFF said in its statement.

FACT CHECK | Is the IMF $4.3 billion loan new money? 

Last week #R500B was among the top trends on South African Twitter, as users took to the social media platform to complain about alleged looting of the country's half a trillion rand stimulus package, meant to soften the effects on the lockdown on SA's already-struggling economy.  

These complaints follow the Special Investigating Unit probing allegations of serious maladministration, fraud and corruption regarding Covid-19 relief funds. President Ramaphosa has vowed to crack down on corruption and theft relating to Covid-19 relief funds. Finance Minister Tito Mboweni has warned that the "unscrupulous thieves" stealing funds via corrupt tenders must be "dealt with decisively". 

In some instances, the conversations on Twitter about the R500 billion stimulus also created the impression that Covid-19 relief loans being sought from multilateral institutions, namely the IMF, are over and above the stimulus package.

Liquor stores will soon start losing licences – making for more illegal booze after prohibition 

*Bottle stores need to figure out if they can – and should – pay their rent, while not knowing when prohibition may end.

*For those who don't, and where landlords follow their rights, it could mean invalidating their liquor licences.

*And that, in turn, seems set make illegal trading more attractive than before, even after South Africa lifts prohibition.

Coronavirus toll at 11:00 (GMT) Tuesday

Paris – The novel coronavirus has killed at least 654 477 people since the outbreak emerged in China last December, according to a tally from official sources compiled by AFP at 11:00 (GMT) on Tuesday.

At least 16 514 500 cases of coronavirus have been registered in 196 countries and territories. Of these, at least 9 347 300 are now considered recovered.

The tallies, using data collected by AFP from national authorities and information from the World Health Organisation (WHO), probably reflect only a fraction of the actual number of infections. Many countries are testing only symptomatic or the most serious cases.

On Monday, 4 418 new deaths and 218 588 new cases were recorded worldwide. Based on the latest reports, the countries with the most new deaths were the United States with 679 new deaths, followed by India with 654, and Brazil with 614.

The United States is the worst-hit country with 148 056 deaths from 4 294 770 cases. At least 1 325 804 people have been declared recovered.

After the US, the hardest-hit countries are Brazil with 87 618 deaths from 2 442 375 cases, the United Kingdom with 45 759 deaths from 300 111 cases, Mexico with 44 022 deaths from 395 489 cases, and Italy with 35 112 deaths from 246 286 cases.

The country with the highest number of deaths compared to its population is Belgium with 85 fatalities per 100 000 inhabitants, followed by the United Kingdom (67), Spain (61), Italy (58), and Sweden (56).

 - AFP

Covid-19 peak expected late August, with SA economy to recover in 2 years

Business lobby group, Business for South Africa, has urged South Africans and businesses to continue with precautions in work and public life as the economic devastation wrought by the Covid-19 pandemic rages on.

In a statement released on Tuesday morning, B4SA said it expected the national Covid-19 infection rate to peak during August 2020, while daily mortalities will peak by late-August or early September.

B4SA said South African businesses were already in distress and it now expects about 1.5 million further job losses by the end of the year.

SA loses 3 000 jobs in first quarter of 2020, but impact of lockdown not felt yet 

Total employment in SA's non-agricultural formal sector fell by 3 000 between December 2019 and March 2020, Statistics SA announced on Tuesday in its latest Quarterly Employment Statistics (QES) bulletin. 

The QES results are based on a sample survey conducted by Stats SA and include findings on employment in the non-agricultural formal sector. The figures published on Tuesday do not include the impact of the lockdown to stem the spread of the coronavirus.

According to Stats SA, the decrease in employment was due to falls in trade (-17 000), construction (-14 000) and manufacturing (-2 000 ). 

Four North West health professionals die in the space of a week

Four North West healthcare professionals have died in the space of a week, according to the province's health department on Monday.

In a statement, MEC Madoda Sambatha said Covid-19 had claimed the lives of the "much-needed health workforce" - two doctors and two nurses in the province.

"We have sadly learnt of the passing of Dr Lomalisa Litenye and Florah Makama. As if that was not enough, the province lost two nurses over the past week. We are saddened by the loss of these health professionals," Sambatha said.