Coronavirus morning update: Pensioner allegedly steals R4.7m in Covid money, and schools latest 

Pensioner arrested for allegedly stealing R4.7m Covid-19 relief money; and the next two weeks will be used to monitor where there is a need to employ additional teachers.

South africa has 627 041 recorded cases of coronavirus and 14 149 deaths.

The recovery rate stands at 540 923 or 86%

The World Health Organization called on countries to persevere with restrictions to tackle Covid-19, director general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Monday, saying opening up without control of the virus would be a "recipe for disaster".

Tedros recognised that many people are getting tired of restrictions and want to return to normality after eight months of the new coronavirus.

"We want to see children returning to school and people returning to work places, but we want to see it done safely," Tedros told a news conference.

"No country can just pretend the pandemic is over," he said.

"The reality is this virus spreads easily. Opening up without control is a recipe for disaster."

-Reuters

Schools reopening: Need for more teachers will be clear after two weeks, says Motshekga

The basic education department says it will use the next two weeks to monitor where there is a need to employ additional teachers, as all grades have now returned to schools. 

From Monday, grades 5 and 8, as well grades 4 and 5 at schools for pupils with severe intellectual disabilities, returned to the classroom.

Cops crash lockdown party: 44 arrested, fined R500 each in KwaZulu-Natal

KwaZulu-Natal police have warned residents that contravening Covid-19 regulations will land you in hot water, this after 44 people were arrested over the weekend at a gathering in Winterton - making for an expensive party as fines were handed out.

Police spokesperson Brigadier Jay Naicker on Monday said residents should "refrain from hosting gatherings that are in contravention of the Disaster Management Act".

You can now get a Covid-19 antibody test for R230, with results in 24 hours

Three of South Africa’s leading private pathology labs are now offering Covid-19 antibody tests - after a lengthy approval delay by the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA).

The recently-approved antibody tests are significantly cheaper than the gold-standard of reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test, which tests for active infections. 

Worldwide coronavirus cases cross 25.28 million, death toll at 845 850

More than 25.28 million people have been reported to be infected by the novel coronavirus globally and 845 850 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

Paris to make free Covid tests available in the capital

The Paris local municipality said on Monday that it would look to make free Covid-19 testing available in all of the capital's 20 districts (arrondissements), as authorities battle against signs of a re-emergence of the virus in France.

The Paris mayor's office added in a statement that from Monday onwards, there would be three permanent laboratories set up to conduct free Covid-19 tests, as well as two other mobile laboratories that would go around the capital.

- REUTERS

Covid-19: UK parents take to homeschooling as answer to coronavirus fears

As schools start making preparations to welcome back students amid the coronavirus pandemic, a growing number of parents are taking matters into their own hands and are choosing to homeschool instead.

Walmart loaned Makro, Game owner R4 billion during lockdown – report

At the height of SA’s lockdown, the US giant Walmart provided a R4bn loan to Massmart – owner of Makro, Game and Builders Warehouse - to help it survive the crisis.

Russia's coronavirus cases approach 1 million

Russia reported 4,993 new cases of the coronavirus on Monday, bringing its nationwide tally to 995 319, the fourth largest caseload in the world.

Russia's coronavirus taskforce said 83 people had died over the last 24 hours, pushing the official death toll to 17 176.

- REUTERS

RCL Foods reports R959 million loss due to lockdown, Covid-19 impact

Food producer RCL Foods has reported a loss of R959 million for the year ending June 30, following a tough year exacerbated by the impact of Covid-19 and the national lockdown. 

Covid-19 wrap | Australia hits coronavirus record, US mulls early vaccine approval

Here are the latest developments in the coronavirus crisis.

Tata ma chance: Pensioner arrested for allegedly stealing R4.7m Covid-19 relief money

A 62-year-old pensioner from Hammanskraal scored a sizeable extra pension of R4.7 million by allegedly stealing the money from the UIF's Covid-19 Temporary Employer/Employee Relief Scheme.

Hunting for SA’s uncounted Covid-19 toll: Scientists urge measures to probe 40 000 excess deaths

As the number of estimated excess deaths nears 40 000, scientists have urged the government to fast-track the processing of death notifications, which may hold the answer to South Africa’s true coronavirus death toll. 

A cumulative total of 625 056 confirmed Covid-19 cases in South Africa have been recorded with 2 505 new cases identified.

There have been 47 more Covid-19 related deaths: 3 from KwaZulu-Natal,16 from Gauteng, 7 from Eastern Cape, 7 from Western Cape, 3 from Free State and 11 from Mpumalanga. This brings the total number of Covid-19 related deaths to 14 028.

Our recoveries now stand at 538 604 which translates to a recovery rate of 86%.

The total number of tests conducted to date is 3 674 872 with 21 902 new tests conducted since the last report.

Coronavirus research recap: Allergies vs Covid-19, more evidence on masks, and lung fungi 

Recap of the latest coronavirus research and science: Pollen season is on the way, know the difference between allergies and Covid-19; and more evidence on why masks work.

LATEST SCIENCE AND RESEARCH

SARS-CoV-2, the novel coronavirus that causes the disease Covid-19, is mainly spread through respiratory droplets, especially when we cough and speak in indoor spaces with inadequate ventilation.

In the absence of a safe, effective vaccine, we are resorting to face masks to reduce the risk of getting sick while returning to the outside world. To date, various studies suggested that although masks can’t keep us 100% protected against Covid-19, they can reduce the risk of spreading droplets.

Here are the latest developments in the coronavirus crisis:

Grim new world record

India sets a coronavirus record, reporting 78 761 new infections in 24 hours - the world's highest single-day rise - even as the country continues to open up the economy.

In his regular monthly radio address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi does not comment on the milestone but calls on Indians to observe health safety measures.

More than 843 000 dead

The pandemic has killed at least 843 778 people worldwide since surfacing in China late last year, according to a tally from official sources compiled by AFP at 19:30 GMT Sunday.

More than 25 million cases have been registered.

The United States has recorded the highest number of deaths with 182,808, followed by Brazil with 120 462, Mexico with 63 819, India with 63 498 and Britain with 41 499 fatalities.

'Attack on democracy'

Germany's President Frank-Walter Steinmeier condemns an incident in which protesters tried to storm the Reichstag parliament building as an "unacceptable attack on the heart of our democracy".

Several hundred people protesting coronavirus restrictions broke through barriers and a police cordon to climb the steps leading to the entrance to the Reichstag late on Saturday, before being stopped by police.

Nigerian students to return to class

Universities and other institutions of higher learning in Lagos are to welcome students back from September 14.

Elementary and high schools are to reopen on September 21, "depending on sanitary conditions".

US Open player tests positive

French tennis player Benoit Paire is removed from the US Open men's draw after the Grand Slam tournament says an unidentified player has tested positive for the virus.

French sports daily L'Equipe reported earlier that world number 22 Paire had tested positive in New York.

Messi misses test

Lionel Messi has missed his virus test at Barcelona's training ground, club sources confirm, raising the possibility that the football superstar will boycott pre-season to force a transfer from the Spanish club.

India sets new world record with 78 761 virus cases in one day

New Delhi – India on Sunday set a coronavirus record when it reported 78 761 new infections in 24 hours – the world's highest single-day rise – even as it continued to open up the economy.

Home to 1.3 billion people, India is already the world's third-most infected nation with more than 3.5 million cases, behind the US and Brazil.

It has also reported more than 63 000 deaths, according to the official health ministry toll.

The US set the previous record on 17 July with 77 638 daily infections, according to an AFP tally.

In his regular monthly radio address on Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not comment on the milestone, but called on Indians to observe health safety measures.

"It is important that every citizen is healthy and happy and we defeat coronavirus completely together," Modi said in Hindi.

"Corona(virus) can only be defeated when you remain safe, when you fulfil the resolve of keeping a safe distance of two yards and wearing masks."

 - AFP

Russia's coronavirus infection tally climbs to near one million

MOSCOW – Russia reported 4 980 new coronavirus cases on Sunday, pushing its confirmed national tally up to 990 326.

Authorities said 68 people had died of Covid-19 over the last 24 hours, raising the official death toll to 17 093.

 - REUTERS

Brazil surpasses 120 000 Covid deaths 

Rio de Janeiro – Just over six months after registering its first case of the new coronavirus, Brazil crossed the grim threshold of 120 000 people killed by Covid-19 on Saturday, with no end in sight to the crisis.

The country of 212 million people has now registered 120 262 deaths from the virus and 3 846 153 infections, the health ministry said in its daily update.

Brazil is just the second country to surpass a death toll of 120 000 in the pandemic, after the United States, where the number killed is now more than 182 000.

Unlike in Europe and Asia, where the virus hit hard and then subsided, Brazil's outbreak is advancing at a slow but devastating pace, said Christovam Barcellos, a researcher at public health institute Fiocruz.

"Brazil is unique in the world. Since the start of the pandemic, its curve has been different from other countries', much slower," he told AFP. "It has stabilised now, but at a very dangerous level: nearly 1 000 deaths and 40 000 cases per day…And Brazil still isn't past the peak."

 - AFP

Western Cape records 11 more Covid-19-related deaths

Another 11 people have died of Covid-19-related illnesses in the Western Cape, Premier Alan Winde said on Saturday. 

By 13:00 on Saturday, the province had recorded 4 080 active cases, with 104 862 confirmed cases and 96 921 recoveries.

"Over 92% of the people recorded to have contracted Covid-19 in the Western Cape have recovered from their illness," added Winde.

The latest number of confirmed cases is 620 132.According to the latest update, 13 743 deaths have been recorded in the country.

There have been 533 935 recoveries. So far, a total of more than 3.63 million tests have been conducted, with 14 329 new tests reported.

Here’s what made the headlines on Friday

Scientists advising the government’s Covid-19 response plan say that the hard lockdown did not succeed in suppressing transmissions. This is according to recommendations by the Ministerial Advisory Committee, which were made public on Thursday.

The recommendations also say that MAC advised the government to allow schools to return a full two months before the government allowed the return. The advisory body unanimously decided that schools should return, according to a report dated 25 May.

The reports also say that scientists advised a haltin of mass Covid-19 testing, but the government persisted with it regardless. The advisory committee, back in May, advised the government to limit the number of tests done through its community screening programme because the high number of samples would create a backlog.

In other news, South African rugby is closer to a return to action after the announcement that franchise teams can return to full-contact training from next week. SA Rugby said that it had completed final health checks.

Movie theatres finally reopened on Friday. Channel24 goes inside movie screenings under the new normal.

Stay informed with News24

Special report | We remember those who died of Covid-19.
Hygiene | Masks, laundry, living space - the best ways to disinfect
Weddings | A mask for the bride - and all other rules for weddings under lockdown.
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
News24 For Subscribers | Like our Covid-19 coverage? Sign up for a premium subscription

- Compiled by Kerushun Pillay

Brazil official in Covid-19 graft scandal, lockdown batters India's economy - International Covid-19 news

The nationwide shutdown was lifted in phases starting on 8 June, but virus cases have surged past 3.3 million, making India the third-worst affected country globally. Some states, like Punjab, have decided to maintain some restrictions, and Navyug's 35 workers are afraid to return until the virus has been brought under control, he says.

Norway will not yet ease restrictions designed to counter Covid-19 even through the spread has been slower recently, Prime Minister Erna Solberg said on Friday.

A Brazilian court temporarily removed Rio de Janeiro state's governor from office on Friday over alleged graft in the purchase of medical supplies and services to fight the Covid-19 outbreak.

The Greek government said Friday it would extend a lockdown imposed on migrants living in camps on its Aegean islands and eastern frontier until 15 September as coronavirus cases mount.

SA scientists to explore asymptomatic spread of the Covid-19 virus in the country

A new study aims to find out how effectively SARS-CoV-2 can be transmitted in rural and urban households in the country, adding to global knowledge.

The study will focus on transmission of the virus via asymptomatic (producing or showing no symptoms) people, and how the virus interacts with other pathogens.

'My boss says I will bring corona from outside': Live-in domestic workers are being denied the right to leave

While the lockdown initially helped South African medical services to prepare for an influx of Covid-19 patients, the regulations have now mostly lifted and we have many of our freedoms back.

A domestic worker wrote to Parent24 this week, revealing that she has not been allowed to leave her home, which is also her place of employment, since March.

Why does Covid-19 hit men harder than women? The immune system reveals some clues

There is mounting evidence that gender differences can affect the outcome of Covid-19. Viral load, antibodies and other immune responses may offer clues.

One of the things that researchers are observing in Covid-19 is that it seems to affect men more severely than women. There are several theories, including research suggesting that oestrogen may protect women against Covid-19.

Covid-19 wrap: Global cases cross 24.4m, US breaches 180 000 deaths and Latin America cases pass 7m

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

US surpasses 180 000 virus deaths - Johns Hopkins

The United States passed the grim milestone of 180 000 coronavirus deaths on Thursday, according to Johns Hopkins University's real-time tracker.

The US added 931 new virus deaths in 24 hours, the Baltimore-based university reported at 20:30 (00:30 GMT Friday), bringing the total death toll to 180 527.

Russia's coronavirus cases surpass 980 000

Russia reported 4 829 new cases of the novel coronavirus on Friday, bringing its nationwide tally to 980 405, the fourth largest caseload in the world.

Russia's coronavirus task force said 110 people had died over the last 24 hours, pushing its official death toll to 16 914.

Rwanda again tightens Covid-19 measures as cases surge

Rwanda has lengthened its evening curfew and prevented movement in and out of the western area of Rusizi after a recent surge in cases of the new coronavirus.

Rwanda was one of the first to impose strict lockdown measures in Africa, on 22 March, when it had only 19 cases, and partially lifted the measures on 1 May, when it had officially recorded 225 cases and zero deaths.

China reports 9 new mainland Covid-19 cases vs 8 a day earlier

China reported nine new Covid-19 cases in the mainland on 27 August, compared with eight a day earlier, the country's health authority said on Friday.

The National Health Commission said in a statement that all new infections were imported cases involving travellers from overseas, marking the 12th consecutive day of no local transmissions.

Level 2: Some Home Affairs services reopen, more than 800 000 cross border since March

Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi has announced the resumption of certain services during Level 2 of the lockdown, as well as the extension of the expiry date for certain temporary IDs.

He also said that while South Africa's borders had been closed since the lockdown came into effect, over 839 000 people who were exempt from the closures, had been allowed to cross the border.

If you applied for a passport before lockdown you may now be able to collect it at some banks

South Africa's borders remain closed for most travellers, and for the time being the department of home affairs will not be accepting applications for new passports, home affairs minister Aaron Motsoaledi said on Friday.

But some people who applied for passports before lockdown started may now be able to collect their documents.

A passenger who tested positive for Covid-19 was removed from a plane by officials in hazmat suits

In the video shared on Twitter Wednesday, officials in hazmat suits appear to be talking with one of the passengers as a flight attendant makes her way through the aisle.

Scientists advised a halt to mass Covid-19 testing, but officials persisted, newly released advisories show

Health officials continued to collect vast numbers of samples to be tested for Covid-19 from community screening programmes, despite scientific advice telling them to stop, or risk placing laboratories under unbearable strain.

The Ministerial Advisory Committee on Covid-19 advised the Department of Health on 18 May to stop the practice of collecting thousands of samples as part of community screening and move to prioritising testing in hotspot areas, due to the global strain on the availability of testing materials and kits.

MAC advised pupils' return to school 'as soon as possible' 2 months before closure

The Ministerial Advisory Committee recommended pupils should return to school as soon as possible two months before the government decided to close them for a second time.

Schools, taxis and Level 4: MAC advisories reveal how government sidestepped scientists

South Africa's lockdown did not result in a reduction of the transmission rate of Covid-19 because testing and contact tracing were never scaled up, experts told government.