The Covid-19 death toll is now at 12 618, while the number of case has hit 599 940.

A total of 497 169 people have recovered - a recovery rate of 82%.

Here’s what made the headlines on Thursday

The Special Investigations Unit (SIU) has given a detailed breakdown to Parliament’s Standing Committee on Public Accounts (Scopa) regarding its investigations on Covid-19 corruption. SIU head Andy Mothibi said the unit is currently investigating 658 contracts related to Covid-19 procurement, worth R5 billion across departments and spheres of government.

The owner of Game and Makro stores, Massmart is expecting a loss of over R1 billion due to the Covid-19 national lockdown. The retail giant said it lost approximately R2.3 billion in liquor sales in April and May after alcohol was banned. The retail giant said it had seen a marked improvement in sales from June.

Meanwhile, recent studies on the economic impact of the national lockdown indicate that South Africans have been left unemployed and drowning in debt. According to debt counselling firm, Debtbusters, the debt holiday offered by banks at the start of the hard lockdown in March had added R20.7 million to the debt of over 1 million South Africans.

Mangosuthu Buthelezi has completed has completed his Covid-19 self-isolation and is in good health. Buthelezi was diagnosed with Covid-19 on 8 August after coming into contact with someone who had tested positive for the virus. A family spokesperson said during the self-isolation period, Buthelezi remained asymptomatic.

Limpopo Premier Stan Mathabatha said he will not place Health MEC Phophi Ramathuba who is facing allegations of nepotism in the Covid-19 procurement process, on special leave. Addressing media, Mathabatha said there was no basis to place anyone on special leave. He was adamant that the Covid-19 procurement process was fair, transparent and according to prescribed provisions.

- Compiled by Nokuthula Khanyile

Covid-19 in Africa: 'hopeful' daily drop in cases

The continent-wide daily average was 10 300 last week, down from 11 000 the week before, Dr John Nkengasong said at a press briefing, adding that officials were greeting the news with "cautious optimism".

"We have begun to bend the curve slowly," he said."It is very, very early. We are dealing with a very delicate virus that spreads very quickly, but it's important to recognise those slight tendencies that are positive."

Africa had recorded 1 147 369 cases as of Thursday morning, about half of which were in South Africa, which has the fifth-highest total globally.

South Africa has seen its number of daily confirmed cases fall from a peak of over 12 000 to an average of 5 000, driving the drop in the continent-wide average.

Mangosuthu Buthelezi completes Covid-19 self-isolation, was asymptomatic

Mangosuthu Buthelezi has completed his Covid-19 isolation and is in good health, a family representative said on Thursday.

The world desperately needs coronavirus treatments, even if we get a vaccine

Like most viruses, the novel coronavirus isn't likely to disappear from the population for good. Instead, the world's best hope is a combination of public-health measures, drug treatments, and a vaccine.Under the most optimistic scenario, the US could be ready to manufacture a vaccine by the end of 2020.

But by then, the virus is expected to kill an additional 23 000 people on top of the current death toll of 172 000, according to models from the University of Washington. And even if a vaccine becomes available, challenges in mass-producing and distributing it mean herd immunity is a long way off.

China state media says angry reactions to a packed water party in Wuhan are 'sour grapes'

Thousands gathered in a water park in the city for an electronic music festival over the weekend, with photos of the event showing no one wearing face masks and people packed closely together.

The Global Times, a combative tabloid controlled by the Chinese state, noted the criticism and pushed back.

It said that the reaction "exposed overseas 'sour grapes' and also prompted some to reflect on epidemic control in their own countries".

Russia's 'Sputnik V' Covid-19 vaccine to be tested on 40 000 people 

Mass testing of Russia's first potential COVID-19 vaccine to get domestic regulatory approval will involve more than 40 000 people, the TASS news agency cited the vaccine's developer as saying on Thursday.

The vaccine, called "Sputnik V" in homage to the world's first satellite launched by the Soviet Union, has been hailed as safe and effective by Russian authorities and scientists following two months of small-scale human trials, the results of which have not been made public yet.

- Reuters

China defends massive pool party in Wuhan

China defends a massive pool party attended by thousands of people in the city of Wuhan - where the virus first emerged in December 2019 - despite images from the event prompting outrage around the world.

Pictures and video of the weekend electronic music party have gone viral, attracting a huge negative response in places where lockdowns are still in effect.

But Chinese authorities insist the pool party shows the city's "strategic victory" against the outbreak, and says the images are proof the country's approach to controlling the virus has been successful.

- AFP

ANALYSIS | How well has South Africa done at reducing Covid-19 deaths?

Eight months into the Covid-19 pandemic, how well has South Africa done at limiting infections, and how big a deal is the pandemic anyway? To answer that, we need to think about how the data actually works and doesn't work.

Covid-19 wrap: South Korea infections 'in full swing', parts of Croatia declared virus risk areas

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

- South Korea's coronavirus infections are back "in full swing" and spreading nationwide.

- Germany's public health agency declared the popular tourist Croatian counties of Sibenik-Knin and Split-Dalmatia coronavirus risk regions.

- The British government came under fresh pressure on Thursday over its botched policy for grading exams cancelled during the coronavirus lockdown.

Heading out during Level 2? Make sure you wear your mask in public restrooms

Researchers have determined that flushing urinals in public restrooms can propel particles carrying coronavirus into the air.

When lockdown Level 2 was announced on 15 August 2020, many people were excited at the prospect of meeting friends in public spaces, including bars and restaurants.

While you can reduce your risk of contracting Covid-19 by wearing a mask, washing hands and standing at least 2m away from other people, there is another area where you should be careful – public restrooms.

Covid-19 cases at schools in the Western Cape were also in decline - 0.0009% of cases, but the next groups of pupils and teachers returning on Monday must maintain all precautions with distancing, masks, alternating classes. (Twitter, @itchybyte)

The Western Cape has still not received the funding it was promised by national government to manage Covid-19. Had to readjust own budget says Premier Alan Winde. He says there was "some bookkeeping", but not the money promised. (Twitter, @itchybyte)

Cloete says social distancing, hand washing, mask wearing and continued vigilance important now for next 12 to 24 months until vaccine for Covid-19 becomes available. (Twitter, @itchybyte)

Coronavirus morning update: SIU probes PPE contracts worth R5bn, and KZN likely reached peak

The Special Investigations Unit is investigating contracts related to Covid-19 procurement worth R5bn; and KwaZulu-Natal is likely to have passed its peak infections.

SA's Covid-19 death toll has hit 12 423, while the number of cases now sits at 596 060. 

Death breakdown:  37 from Eastern Cape, 43 from Gauteng, 45 from KwaZulu-Natal, 5 from Free State and 29 from Western Cape.

There have been 491 441 recoveries - a recovery rate of 82%

Covid-19 wrap: World death toll tops 780 000, Pope demands access to virus vaccine for poor

The pandemic has killed at least 781 194 people worldwide since surfacing in China late last year, according to a tally from official sources compiled by AFP on Wednesday.

More than 22 million cases have been registered.

The United States has recorded the most deaths with 171 833, followed by Brazil with 109 888, Mexico with 57 774, India with 52 889 and Britain with 41 381.

Gauteng spent R2.1 billion between April and July to fight Covid-19

Gauteng released its Covid-19 Expenditure Disclosure Report, a 30-page document, which consisted mainly of a list of vendors and the amounts they were paid for goods and services.

According to the document, since the pandemic reached South Africa's shores, Gauteng's provincial departments spent a total of R2 112 992 618 on Covid-19 related goods and services - of which 91.78% of the spend (R1 939 319 260) was by the province's health department.

This is because the procurement of Covid-19 PPE items was centralised, according to the report.

Ster-Kinekor will reopen next week - here's what you can expect

Ster-Kinekor will reopen 32 of its cinemas next Friday, 28 August.

Each cinema will be permitted to host 50 patrons per screening room at a time, excluding staff members, while complying with strict safety protocols.  

Patrons who are 60 years and older are discouraged from visiting cinemas.

Local rugby franchises can expect return to contact training imminently

South Africa hasn't hosted a game since mid-March.

onfirmation of local professional rugby's return to contact training is expected on Wednesday.

Jurie Roux, SA Rugby's chief, told a media briefing that an announcement is expected imminently but there's one more hoop to jump through before matches can take place again.

"You'll see an announcement in the next day or so."

The plan remains for a Currie Cup to begin in mid-September though government's announcement of lockdown moving to Level 2 means the federation will have to wait for the raft of new regulations later this week for final protocols to be approved.

SA tourism will soon be doing great, minister says – with no ETA for international flights

The tourism industry in South Africa is facing a bright future, tourism minister Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane said on Wednesday, with investors lining up and, soon, post-pandemic foreign tourists keen to visit SA.

Based on the level of risk, "when we are ready, government will announce when borders will be opened," she said.

Covid-19 could eliminate 197 million travel industry jobs and wipe R95 trillion from the global GDP

Nearly 200 million travel industry jobs could vanish as a direct result of the coronavirus pandemic, according to a grim new forecast from the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC).

Travel demand has dropped globally during the pandemic, with every region seeing a collapse in tourism business.

Tour operator TUI reported travel was down 81% in Europe from June through the beginning of August, compared to the same period in 2019, according to CNN.

OPINION | From trauma to hope: The return of primary healthcare in a co-Covid world

With Covid, we've had the time to prepare, to isolate, to be angry, to grieve, to accept. But the old attritional war on poverty grinds on, and we're losing that battle badly. We cannot treat Covid in isolation much longer, while the other pathologies that haunt and impoverish our society rage on, writes Andrea Mendelsohn.

Covid-19: The loss of taste, smell, points to neurological underpinnings

Losing your senses of taste and smell is a common symptom of Covid-19 — patients have reported being unable to tell that they're wearing perfume or pick up on the nuance of a well-balanced dish. 

Anyone who's caught a cold or suffered through the flu might think they can relate, since those ailments also tend to make rich scents and layered flavors less accessible and appealing. (Bring home some bland soup, please.)

But a small study published Tuesday describes key differences between the loss of taste and smell that results from each of those viruses, shedding light on how and why this symptom may arise in Covid cases. 

Covid-19: What's the situation in other African countries?

South Africa has the fifth-highest number of Covid-19 cases in the world and makes up 61.7% of Africa's total confirmed cases.

Africa reached the one million Covid-19 cases mark at the beginning of this month, with South Africa remaining fifth in the world and representing 61.7% of Africa's total confirmed cases.

Nigeria, with the second-highest number of confirmed cases in sub-Saharan Africa, has the 50th most cases in the world, with almost 50 000 cases and 977 deaths, followed by Ghana, Algeria, Ethiopia and Kenya.

WHO: 'We are nowhere close' to having the herd immunity needed to stop the coronavirus

Recent reports have suggested that herd immunity may be achieved when as little as 50% of the population is immune. Herd immunity occurs when enough of the population is immune to the coronavirus, either via exposure or vaccine, for transmission to wane.

No more happy hour? You can expect pricier booze, fewer specials at your local bar, tavern

Bars may legally open for business as of Tuesday night, but under conditions – both legal and economic – that some say just aren't viable for them.

And happy hour may be a thing of the past.

Under Level 2 rules, bars and taverns may operate until the 22:00 curfew every night, although their staff also need to get home before that deadline, affecting actual closing times.

We just got the best evidence yet that everyone develops long-term coronavirus immunity after infection

Scientists may have now have an answer to one of the most crucial lingering questions about Covid-19: whether people develop long-term immunity.

An early spate of research suggested that coronavirus antibodies — blood proteins that protect the body from subsequent infections — can fade within months. But in their concern about those findings' implications, many people failed to consider our immune system's multi-layered defence against invading pathogens.

Confirmed Covid-19 positive cases approaching the 600 000 mark, recovery rate now 82%

Operation Data Lockdown: Health dept continues to refuse access to Covid-19 data, MAC advisories

Health department officials are maintaining a stranglehold on Covid-19 data and the scientific advice which the government has relied on to battle the coronavirus. Since May, News24 has repeatedly requested that detailed data around the spread of Covid-19 be made publicly available.

The total number of infections stands at 592 144, while the death toll has hit 12 264.

Deaths: 66 from Eastern Cape, 89 from Gauteng, 57 from KwaZulu-Natal, 3 from Northern Cape, 13 from Free State, and 34 from Western Cape and 20 from North West. 

The recoveries now stand at 485 468 which translates to a recovery rate of 82%.

Here’s what made the headlines on Tuesday

The lifting of sales ban on cigarettes has thrown the illegal market into disarray with lockdown dealers forced to slash their prices, after government gave the sale of tobacco the green light. As the country moved to alert level 2 of the lockdown, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that the prohibition on the sale of tobacco, which had been in place since 27 March, would be lifted.

The reopening of the sale of tobacco saw some outlets running out of certain cigarettes brands with smokers reporting trouble finding big-name tobacco brands including Camel, Marlboro, Chesterfield, Dunhill and Peter Stuyvesant.

Meanwhile, the Eastern Cape government has availed R2.7 million for the construction of a mortuary for Covid-19 cases in Mthatha. Premier Oscar Mabuyane raised concerns over the high mortality rate in the province. He said in the past 24 hours, 70 people died due to Covid-19 in the province.

A court matter to challenge the alcohol ban has been postponed. In a statement, the Southern African Agri Initiative (Saai) said before the new regulations, cooperative governance minister, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma’s legal team had asked them to withdraw the case.  In light of the lifting of the ban on wine sales, Saai said it intended postponing the application indefinitely.

Government has finally lifted the ban on Airbnb hosting in South Africa Airbnb had to close its operations at the start of the lockdown on 27 March. Airbnb spokesperson said that operators are now able to accept guests in South Africa.

- Compiled by Nokuthula Khanyile      

All alcohol equal? Wine court case on ice after unbanning of liquor sales

In a statement published on its website on Tuesday, Saai said before the new regulations, Dlamini-Zuma's legal team, on Sunday, asked them to withdraw the case.

"Saai refused to have the case struck from the roll in view of the minister's previous promulgation of regulations in contrast with the president's speeches. To Saai it was of cardinal importance to have the wording of the Level 2 regulations studied by its legal team before making any decision," it said in a statement.  

Saai said in "light of the lifting of the draconian ban on wine sales" it intended postponing the application against Dlamini-Zuma indefinitely.

A court order was expected by the end of the week.

Eastern Cape to build R2.7m mortuary as concerns raised over high Covid-19 mortality rate

The province further identified 25 hospitals for bulk tank oxygen supply, with Mabuyane saying oxygen remained a critical resource in saving the lives of Covid-19 patients.

Mabuyane was speaking ahead of his tour of some of 86 hospitals currently undergoing refurbishment to the tune of R594.7m in the Eastern Cape.

Upon completion, the projects, across all six district municipalities and two metros, would guarantee the province 2 458 Covid-19 beds, he said.

Mabuyane said while the province was seeing a steady increase in the recovery rate which was above 90% across all districts, the fatality rate was a concern.

Covid-19: Acting Gauteng Health MEC promises nurses on contract will be paid July salaries

In a statement released on Tuesday, the provincial health department said the MEC's assurance was made after "reports surfaced over the weekend alleging that at least 80 Covid-19 contract nurses at Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital had not been paid their July salaries".

"MEC Mamabolo has since directed the department to compile a consolidated report on Covid-19 human resource related issues at all facilities by the end of this week to ensure that health workers are not inconvenienced any further," read the statement.