Covid-19 wrap: Global cases pass 18.14m, UK to roll out 90-minute tests, US 'new phase' warning

Keeping you up to date on the latest novel coronavirus (Covid-19) news from around the world.

More than 18.14 million people have been reported to be infected by the novel coronavirus globally and 688 080 have died, according to a Reuters tally.

ALSO:

- US adds 47 508 Covid-19 cases in 24 hours - Johns Hopkins

- Top coronavirus advisor warns US in 'new phase' of pandemic

- Britain to roll out millions of 90-minute coronavirus tests

Mthethwa: We are pleased that the Department of Health has concurred with the proposal for football to return to completing the season behind closed doors.

Cyril Ramaphosa | Profiting from a pandemic is like a pack of hyenas circling wounded prey

Dear Fellow South African, 

Corruption during a national disaster is a particularly heinous type of crime, and perpetrators are going to be dealt with decisively and harshly.

It is difficult to understand the utter lack of conscience that leads a businessperson who has heeded the call to provide lifesaving supplies during a devastating pandemic to inflate the price of a surgical mask by as much as 900%.

KwaZulu-Natal records highest number of new Covid-19 cases overnight

The highly-populated east coast province now also ranks as the third highest in total cases in the country, jumping ahead of the Eastern Cape.

KwaZulu-Natal's Covid-19 numbers took over new cases from Gauteng on Sunday recording a higher share of new infections for the day, the provincial Department of Health said on Monday.

Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Nathi Mthethwa will host a virtual media briefing to update the nation on the progress made with regards to the Covid-19 relief fund allocation for the sector as well as the resumption of sport.

Date: Monday, 3 August 2020

Time: 12:00

Emerging-market rebound hangs in balance as economies struggle

- The coronavirus shows no signs of subsiding, which will have economic impacts in August, says an economist.

- Efforts by central banks to boost economies in developing nations, may even be reaching their limits.

Emerging-market stocks and currencies are within touching distance of erasing their pandemic-fueled losses of 2020. Too bad the virus is still running riot, economies are shrinking and central banks are getting low on firepower.

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Champions League ready to resume, at long last

After an enforced hiatus of almost five months, the UEFA Champions League and Europa League resume this week in order to clear up the last remaining business in a troubled season.

Both competitions were frozen in March as the coronavirus pandemic took hold across the continent, and while European football's governing body acted swiftly to move Euro 2020 back a year, for a long time it was unclear how it would manage to complete its two landmark club competitions.

Gambia government officials ravaged by Covid-19

Health authorities in the former British colony of some two million people have recorded 498 coronavirus cases to date, with nine fatalities since its first case was reported in March.

Three ministers in Gambia's government have tested positive for the coronavirus, officials said, days after the West African nation's president went into self-isolation.

Joburg is a coronavirus hotspot – but you can still walk the streets on a (small) guided tour

- You can't cross provincial boundaries for fun, but tour guides can operate and host walking tours.

- Some operators in Johannesburg aren't open yet, but you can take small-group tours of the likes of infamous Ponte City.

- Also still on offer are walking tours of the city.

Booze ban: SAMRC professor hits back at alcohol industry critics of lockdown law

A coalition of alcohol producers say a review of a report which government is said to have used in deciding to ban sales during lockdown was found wanting.

The alcohol industry coalition - which includes major producers such as SAB, Distell, Heineken and Pernod Ricard - recently released a statement on a review that identified that the report on alcohol-related trauma contained several data and statistical limitations due to the lack of complete information, making the robustness of the research uncertain.

Public Protector inundated with Covid-19 related complaints

Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane’s office has over the last four months seen a rapid surge in the number of complaints of conduct and service failure relating to the pandemic.

In a statement released on Monday, the Public Protector's office said service failure allegations account for a lion’s share of the grievances, with many people having approached the office to complain about what they deem unreasonable grounds for declining their applications for the R350-a-month special social relief of distress grant.

Other matters being investigated include alleged tender irregularities in the awarding of a Quarantine Camp tender in Mpumalanga; allegations of irregularities in the procurement of Personal Protective Equipment by the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education; and allegations that a lodge being used as a quarantine site in the Eastern Cape is owned by a member of the executive council.

This is a developing story.

Coronavirus morning update: Govt admission on smokers, and latest on PPE corruption claims

The government has admitted "smoking populations were less likely to be infected" with the coronavirus; and Gauteng govt tight-lipped on latest PPE tender corruption claims.

With 213 new Covid-19 deaths, South Africa now has 8 366 fatalities.

There are 511 485 coronavirus cases after 8 195 new infections have been recorded.

The recovery rate stands at 347 227 or 68%.

Covid-19: Gauteng's Sunday figures not released due to delay in validating recoveries

Gauteng's Covid-19 figures for Sunday could not be released as the recoveries were still being validated, the provincial government has said.

"As part of ensuring the reliability of the statistics released to the public, the Gauteng Department of Health from time to time audits its data," spokesperson for Health MEC Kwara Kekana said in a statement on Sunday.

"This is part of the data harmonisation process. The team is currently validating the data for recoveries and, as such, we will not be releasing today's daily stats," she said.

Gauteng govt tight-lipped on latest PPE tender corruption claims

The DA is calling for a parliamentary debate in which President Cyril Ramaphosa must answer for the widespread Covid-19 tender corruption involving high-ranking ANC officials.

In a letter to National Assembly Speaker Thandi Modise, DA interim leader John Steenhuisen said South Africans have learned of corruption scandals involving those linked to the governing party.

Nokuthula Nkosi* is a public hospital administration worker recovering in a private hospital after contracting the Covid-19 coronavirus at her workplace.

“Here is a clerk who comes to the ward fully dressed in PPE [personal protective equipment],” Nkosi said in disbelief.

This is something new to her as she has not seen it happen before at Rob Ferreira Hospital in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga, which is one of the designated Covid-19 treatment hospitals.

Hundreds protest in Joburg against government's response to Covid-19

Hundreds of people marched through the streets of central Johannesburg to the Gauteng legislature on Saturday.

The protest was to highlight government failures in response to Covid-19.

The protest was divided into groups to ensure physical distancing and marshals were sanitising people's hands, GroundUp reported.

Eastern Cape health MEC's 'core staffer' arrested for transporting alcohol in govt car

Eastern Cape Health MEC Sindiswa Gomba's personal messenger and ANC Youth League regional task team member Ayanda Matinise was caught by the King William's Town police on Saturday afternoon and charged with transporting alcohol in a state vehicle.

Police spokesperson Colonel Sibongile Soci said Matinise had been charged with contravening the regulations of the Disaster Management Act, driving an unauthorised state vehicle, and attempted bribery of SAPS members.

Pandemic an 'apocalypse' for restaurants in US

For Gabriel Gordon and his wife Lena, the small restaurant they opened 14 years ago in the coastal California town of Seal Beach was a dream project and the cornerstone of their future success.

Covid-19 wrap | Coronavirus spike in Mexico, cases also jump in Russia, US

Here are the latest developments in the coronavirus crisis.

Covid-19 lockdown prevented dramatic loss of life, Ramaphosa says as cases pass 500 000

President Cyril Ramaphosa says the country could have experienced dramatic loss of life and an uncontrolled increase in Covid-19 infections in late March - he attributed this to the national lockdown.

Ramaphosa: Law enforcement empowered to probe 'unconscionable' Covid-19 tender corruption

President Cyril Ramaphosa said it was unconscionable that there are people who may be using the Covid-19 crisis to unlawfully enrich themselves.

Men are more likely to fall for Covid-19 conspiracy theories

It seems men are more likely to believe in microchipped vaccines and anti-Trump agendas than women.

Lockdown cigarette wars: Govt admits smokers 'less likely to be infected' with coronavirus

The government has admitted "smoking populations were less likely to be infected" with the coronavirus and develop Covid-19.

Covid-19 data: SA still in 'first industrial revolution', reporting infections via old 'paper system'

Experts and medical professionals have raised concern over the country’s Covid-19 data reporting mechanisms, saying old infrastructure, as well as decentralised reporting systems, hinder the process.

Coronavirus morning update: SA breaches half a million Covid-19 cases, lockdown tax loss exceeds value of two virus loans, revised 2020 school calendar revealed

Your latest coronavirus news: Tax revenue loss due to lockdown exceeds two virus loans, ANC MP Zamuxolo Josephs dies, and 7 arrested after smuggling illicit liquor and cigarettes from Mozambique.

Today South Africa has exceeded the half a million mark with a cumulative total of 503 290 confirmed Covid-19 cases recorded.

148 new Covid-19 related deaths have been recorded: 36 from Eastern Cape, 40 from Gauteng, 41 from KwaZulu Natal, 24 from Western Cape and 7 from Northern Cape. This brings the cumulative number of deaths to 8 153.

The total number of tests conducted to date is 3 001 985 with 42 450 new tests conducted since the last report.

The number of recoveries currently stands at 342 461 which translates to a recovery rate of 68%.

Expect 'lengthy' coronavirus pandemic WHO warns

The World Health Organization on Saturday warned the coronavirus pandemic was likely to be "lengthy" after its emergency committee met to evaluate the crisis six months after sounding the international alarm.

The committee "highlighted the anticipated lengthy duration of this Covid-19 pandemic", the WHO said in a statement, and warned of the risk of "response fatigue" given the socio-economic pressures on countries.

The panel gathered Friday for the fourth time over the coronavirus crisis, half a year on from its January 30 declaration of a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) - the WHO's highest level of alarm.

Here's when the school year will end: Education dept releases revised calendar dates

The Department of Basic Education has revised the 2020 school calendar for the second time this year. The revised calendar see 153 days of learning for pupils in public schools for the rest of the year.

ANC MP Zamuxolo Joseph Peter has died after testing positive for Covid-19 earlier on 11 July.

After testing positive, he was admitted to hospital and ultimately succumbed to the virus on Friday, 31 July. Peter had previously served as the executive mayor of the Makana Municipality during 2011 to 2015.

Lockdown tax losses exceed value of two virus loans

SA has lost more in tax revenue since the lockdown began than the loans it got from two multilateral development agencies.

SARS Commissioner, Edward Kieswetter, says there was a need to raise R40 billion more in the February budget but that gap has widened significantly because of Covid-19.

Tax Relief measures and the ban of tobacco products and alcohol sales have led to an under-recovery of about R47 billion in tax collections.

Ace Magashule's sons join list of ANC family members linked to Covid-19 govt tenders - report

Ace Magashule's sons, Tshepiso and Thato, have been awarded tenders to the value of R2.7 million, according to a Daily Maverick report.

The award was made after the provincial treasury decided to centralise Covid-19 supply procurement, to support local businesses.

Earlier this week, presidential spokesperson Khusela Diko took a leave of absence following an investigation into a tender for Covid-19 supplies awarded to her husband's company.

Worldwide coronavirus cases cross 17.61 million, death toll at 679 094

More than 17.61 million people have been reported to be infected by the novel coronavirus globally and 679 094 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

Philippines confirms nearly 5,000 new coronavirus cases, largest single-day increase

The Philippines on Saturday reported 4 963 additional coronavirus infections, the largest single-day jump on record.In a bulletin, the health ministry said total infections have reached 98 232, while deaths increased by 17 to 2 039.

In the region, the Philippines is second only to Indonesia in coronavirus deaths and cases.

Reuters

Egypt reports lowest coronavirus daily figure since 3 May

Egypt reported 321 new Covid-19 infections on Friday, the health ministry said, the lowest figure since 3 May.

Covid-19 wrap: US records over 25 000 deaths in July, recovered Bolsonaro says nothing to fear

President Jair Bolsonaro said nearly everyone will probably end up catching the new coronavirus, saying there was nothing to fear.

Mexico's confirmed coronavirus deaths rose to 46 688, placing the country's death toll from the pandemic at third highest in the world.

China reported 45 cases of the new coronavirus in the mainland for 31 July, down sharply from 127 cases a day earlier.

Coronavirus morning update: SA on brink of hunger crisis, and smoking soldiers face disciplinary

SA is facing a hunger crisis as millions face worsening economic conditions; and SANDF members caught smoking at Andrew Mlangeni funeral face internal disciplinary process.

The Covid-19 death toll has hit 8 005, while the number of cases now sits at 493 183.

The total number of recoveries is now 326 171 - a recovery rate of 66%.

Here’s what made the headlines today

The Hawks have raided the Nkomazi Municipality in Mpumalanga over allegations of Covid-19 tender fraud amounting to R27 million. This comes amid allegations of procurement fraud. No arrests have yet been made.

Schools could close on 15 December, while matriculants may have to wait until February to get their results, a leaked proposal says. The proposal recommends that the schooling year should not be taken into 2021.

South Africa’s economy could contract by 8.2% if there is a second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic in October and November, according to a new report. But if a second wave can be avoided, growth in 2021 may be 2.5%.

SANDF members caught on camera smoking at the funeral of Andrew Mlangeni this week will face disciplinary action, Police Minister Bheki Cele says. Cele reminded the public, however, that smoking is not banned, just the sale of tobacco products. He added that police have seized 1.8 million cigarettes so far.

A KwaZulu-Natal hospital building built to treat Covid-19 patients was partially burnt, allegedly by members of the community who were upset that part of the hospital was converted into a Covid-19 facility. The hospital is in Amatikulu, near Eshowe. A security guard was injured in the incident.

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Stay safe | Advice for keeping safe in supermarkets, schools and on public transport
FAQs | News24 answers all your questions
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- Compiled by Kerushun Pillay

Vietnam records second virus death, Namibia to close schools as cases rise - International Covid-19 news

Vietnam's Health Ministry reported the country's second Covid-19 death shortly after announcing the first death.

The World Health Organisation reported a record increase in global coronavirus cases on Friday, with the total rising by 292 527.

Namibian schools will be suspended for the second time in four months next week, while limits on public gatherings will be tightened further to 100 from 250 amid surging cases, President Hage Geingob said.

Masked and socially distanced to fight the coronavirus, Muslims around the world held prayers on Friday to mark the festival of Eid al-Adha, with mosques at reduced capacity and some praying in the open air.

And, the coronavirus crisis has pulverised Spain's economy, triggering its worst recession since the civil war, with collapsed tourism numbers boding ill for hopes of a swift rebound.

Pictured: Muslims attend prayers outside Essalam mosque during Eid al-Adha in Rotterdam.

Possible second virus wave will cause further economic pain for SA, warns OECD

South Africa's economy risks contracting by 8.2% this year if the country is hit by a second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic in October and November, according to a new report by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.

Under this "double-hit scenario", economic recovery in 2021 will remain limited, with GDP only growing by 0.6%. If a second wave of the virus can be avoided, growth in 2021 may tick up to 2.5%. 

The OECD on Friday released its annual economic survey on South Africa, with a focus on the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, which has resulted in a collapse of global growth.

Hawks raids Nkomazi Municipality over alleged R27m Covid-19 tender fraud

Members of the Hawks in Mpumalanga have raided the Nkomazi Municipality over alleged Covid-19 tender fraud to the tune of R27 million.

Hawks spokesperson Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi said officers had conducted a search-and-seizure operation at the municipality on Thursday.

"The operation follows investigations in relation to alleged Covid-19 procurement fraud wherein the appointment of contractors and service providers were inconsistent with the requisite procurement regulations," he said.