
RESOURCES
1m ago
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Covid-19 wrap | AstraZeneca to know by year-end if vaccine works, Trump admits playing down virus
- President Donald Trump admits he tried to minimise the seriousness of the threat from Covid-19 at the outset of the pandemic.
- AstraZeneca should still know before the end of the year whether its experimental vaccine protects people against Covid-19.
- More quiet zones in high-risk indoor spaces could help to cut coronavirus contagion risks, researchers have said.
17m ago
Cabinet has extended of the national state of disaster to 15 October 2020 in terms of Section 27(5)(c) of the Disaster Management Act, 2002 (57 of 2002). This is to continue giving effect to the regulations that remain relevant to manage the spread of Covid-19 infections, spokesperson Phumla Williams said in a statement.
"Cabinet welcomes the drop in the number of new confirmed Covid-19 cases over the past few weeks and the improved recovery rate that has increased to 87%. The number of people requiring admission in our hospitals and the demand for Covid-19 tests have also dropped," the statement noted.
2h ago
Alert Level 1 could be coming next week. Here’s what may change – and what won’t
Alert Level 1 could be coming soon, President Cyril Ramaphosa suggested on Wednesday, telling editors to "watch this space next week".
Health Minister Zweli Mkhize has also suggested that debate is ongoing about the move to less onerous restrictions on citizens, as ongoing monitoring shows no new surge in infections, and no reason for concern about the readiness of the health system to deal with cases of Covid-19.
There is no official word on just what Level 1 will look like, with Ramaphosa saying the government is considering input from various parts of society, including religious leaders who would like to see worship in groups of more than 50.
But widespread and ongoing consultation and lobbying has yielded some hints on what may be in store.
2h ago
Speak softly and scatter fewer coronavirus particles, say researchers
TOKYO – More quiet zones in high-risk indoor spaces, such as hospitals and restaurants, could help to cut coronavirus contagion risks, researchers have said, after a study showed that lowering speaking volume can reduce the spread of the disease.
In efforts to rein in transmission, a reduction of 6 decibels in average speech levels can have the same effect as doubling a room's ventilation, scientists said on Wednesday, in an advance copy of a paper detailing their study.
"The results suggest that public health authorities should consider implementing 'quiet zones' in high-risk indoor environments, such as hospital waiting rooms or dining facilities," wrote the six researchers from the University of California, Davis.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) changed its guidance in July to acknowledge the possibility of aerosol transmission, such as during choir practice, or when in restaurants or fitness classes.
Microscopic droplets ejected while speaking evaporate to leave behind aerosol particles big enough to carry viable virus, the paper showed. An increase of about 35 decibels in loudness, or the difference between whispering and shouting, boosts the particle emission rate by 50 times.
Not all environments equal
Normal conversation is above the 10-decibel range, while ambient noise in restaurants is around 70.
"Not all indoor environments are equal in terms of aerosol transmission risk," said lead researcher William Ristenpart.
"A crowded but quiet classroom is much less dangerous than an uncrowded karaoke bar where patrons are socially distanced but talking and singing over loud music."
The global death toll from the virus passed 900 000 on Wednesday, as worldwide cases topped 27.7 million, according to a Reuters tally.
An average of more than 5 600 people die each day, according to Reuters calculations.
- REUTERS
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Covid-19: Half of the survivors from one of Italy's epicentres haven't recovered six months on
Six months after the coronavirus hit Bergamo, Lombardy's worst-hit province, which was Italy's worst hit region, nearly half of the survivors still haven't recovered, and are dealing with a range of problems.
Pope John XXIII Hospital infectious disease specialist Dr. Serena Venturelli, who is one of the doctors working on a study of Covid-19's long term effects, told The Washington Post, "Almost half of the patients say no," when asked if they were cured.
Bergamo is the city where a harrowing video was released in March showing an overwhelmed ICU dealing with a wave of patients.
At one point, so much oxygen was needed for 92 people on ventilators that oxygen had to be piped in using an emergency tank, according to The Post.
4h ago
Four ways to avoid catching the Covid-19 virus indoors
The virus is known to spread inside confined spaces, such as restaurants, workplaces, schools and places of worship – but there are ways to keep safe.
The new coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, typically lingers in public spaces. And while strict non-pharmaceutical interventions (?NPIs)?, such as physical distancing and good hand hygiene, can be highly effective in reducing transmission, they have their limits.
Since schools have reopened, along with restaurants and office buildings and other indoor spaces, good ventilation, air filtration and humidity levels are key to reducing the spread of the virus.
The purpose of ventilation
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines published in July, a “well-maintained and operated system can reduce the spread of the virus in indoor spaces by increasing the rate of air change, reducing recirculation of air, and increasing the use of outdoor air”.
4h ago
Apple creates a face mask with a 'unique' look, designed by engineers who work on iPhone, iPad
- Apple's design teams have created a custom face mask for Apple employees.
- The mask has a "unique" look, with large nose and chin coverage, according to Bloomberg, which first reported on its development.
- Since the outbreak of the pandemic, Apple has worked to provide PPE like face masks and shields to healthcare workers.
5h ago
India reports record daily jump of 95 735 coronavirus cases
BENGALURU – India reported record jumps in new coronavirus infections and deaths on Thursday, taking its tally of cases past 4.4 million, health ministry figures showed.
In the last 24 hours, 95 735 new infections were detected, with 1 172 deaths, accounting for the highest single-day mortality figures in more than a month, to push the toll beyond 75 000.
Infections are growing faster in India than anywhere else in the world and the United States is the only nation worse affected.
- REUTERS
5h ago
Worldwide coronavirus cases cross 27.85 million, death toll at 902 216
More than 27.85 million people have been reported to be infected by the novel coronavirus globally and 902 216 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
5h ago
6h ago
Latest Covid-19 numbers: 15 168 deaths, 642 431 cases and an 88.7% recovery rate
South Africa had recorded 82 more Covid-19-related deaths by Wednesday, bringing the death toll to 15 168.
The fatalities have been reported in the following provinces: 10 in KwaZulu-Natal, 27 in Gauteng, five in the Eastern Cape, eight in the Free State, 10 in the North West and 22 in the Western Cape.
A cumulative total of 642 431 confirmed Covid-19 cases in South Africa have been recorded, with 569 935 recoveries, which slightly improves South Africa's recovery rate to 88.7%.
6h ago
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Coronavirus morning update: PPE corruption akin to 'murder', Oxford Covid-19 vaccine trial halted
The president has equated corruption scandals relating to PPE to “murder”, and the Oxford's Covid-19 vaccine trial has been halted after a volunteer fell ill.
Latest news:
The government procurement system must be overhauled, President Cyril Ramaphosa told the South African National Editors' Forum (SANEF) on Wednesday evening.
He equated corruption scandals and over-inflating of prices relating to personal protective equipment (PPE) to "murder".
Speaking on the country's economic recovery, the president did not mince words, saying SA had entered a "new era " for implementation, with a timeline of just two to three weeks for formulating an economic recovery plan.
09 September 21:10
The total number of recoveries is now 569 935- a recovery rate of 88,7%.
Here are five stories that made headlines on Wednesday
The ANC in parliament wants answers from Cabinet over rampant corruption in several government departments. Party chief whip Pemmy Majodina said Auditor-General Kimi Makwetu’s first report reflected “substantive transgressions” and the flouting of the Public Finance Management Act Regulations.
A Cape Town pulmonologist Dr Bilal Gafoor has had his first weekend off during the Covid-19 pandemic . “I am tired, said Gafoor. Detailing his experience, Gafoor said at one point, he would scrub the inside of his car, change his clothes in the garage and bath before going to greet the family.
Meanwhile, Cape Town’s popular Lion’s Head reopened for hikes on Wednesday with the SA National Parks (SANParks) rangers enforcing strict Covid-19 safety precautions. Rangers at various entry points will check for compliance with Covid-19 regulations set by the National Coronavirus Command Council (NCCC).
A Covid-19 survivor, Rahemi Motshegoa has emphasised the importance of mental strength required to survive the virus. The virus has claimed more than 15 000 lives in South Africa. Motshegoa described his experience of excruciating pain as he fought to recover.
In other news, an Oxfort Covid-19 vaccine trial has been halted after one of its UK participants developed a “potentially unexplained illness”. The vaccine trial will also be halted in South Africa. It was developed by the University of Oxford in partnership with AstraZeneca, who described the halt as a “routine action”.
-Compiled by Nokuthula Khanyile
09 September 19:26
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
US Covid-19 deaths surpass 190 000, Iowa and South Dakota emerge as new hotspots
Coronavirus deaths in the United States topped 190 000 on Wednesday along with a spike in new cases in the US Midwest with states like Iowa and South Dakota emerging as the new hotspots in the past few weeks.
Iowa currently has one of the highest rates of infection in the nation, with 15% of tests last week coming back positive. Nearby South Dakota has a positive test rate of 19% and North Dakota is at 18%, according to a Reuters analysis.
The surge in Iowa and South Dakota is being linked to colleges reopening in Iowa and an annual motorcycle rally last month in Sturgis, South Dakota.
Kansas, Idaho and Missouri are also among the top 10 states for positive test rates.
New coronavirus infections have fallen for seven weeks in a row for the United States with a death rate of about 6 100 per week from Covid-19 in the last month.
On a per capita basis, the United States ranks 12th in the world for the number of deaths, with 58 deaths per 100 000 people, and 11th in the world for cases, with 1 933 cases per 100 000 residents, according to a Reuters analysis.
09 September 16:45
09 September 14:37
09 September 14:33
Coronavirus toll at 11:00 (GMT) Wednesday
Paris – The novel coronavirus has killed at least 898 503 people since the outbreak emerged in China last December, according to a tally from official sources compiled by AFP at 11:00 (GMT) on Wednesday.
At least 27 631 550 cases of coronavirus have been registered. Of these, at least 18 332 900 people 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 Tuesday, 4 802 new deaths and 228 717 new cases were recorded worldwide. Based on the latest reports, the countries with the most new deaths were India with 1 115 new deaths, followed by Mexico with 703 and Brazil with 504.
The United States is the worst-hit country with 189 698 deaths from 6 328 054 cases. At least 2 359 111 people have been declared recovered.
After the US, the hardest-hit countries are Brazil with 127 464 deaths from 4 162 073 cases, India with 73 890 deaths from 4 370 128 cases, Mexico with 68 484 deaths from 642 860 cases, and United Kingdom with 41 586 deaths from 352 560 cases.
The country with the highest number of deaths compared to its population is Peru with 91 fatalities per 100 000 inhabitants, followed by Belgium (86), Spain (63), the United Kingdom (61), and Chile (61).
China – excluding Hong Kong and Macau – has to date declared 85 146 cases, including 4 634 deaths and 80 347 recoveries.
Latin America and the Caribbean overall has 300 132 deaths from 7 910 027 cases, Europe 219 420 deaths from 4 294 551 infections, while the United States and Canada have 198 884 deaths from 6 460 551 cases.
Asia has reported 108 767 deaths from 6 010 154 cases, the Middle East 38 767 deaths from 1 610 413 cases, Africa 31 700 deaths from 1 315 647 cases, and Oceania 833 deaths from 30 208 cases.
As a result of corrections by national authorities or late publication of data, the figures updated over the past 24 hours may not correspond exactly to the previous day's tallies.
- AFP
09 September 14:30
09 September 14:30
09 September 13:03
Worldwide coronavirus cases cross 27.66 million, death toll at 897 349
More than 27.66 million people have been reported to be infected by the novel coronavirus globally and 897 349 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
09 September 12:59
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Covid wrap | England limits gatherings to 6, halt in vaccine trial not a setback - UK minister
- AstraZeneca Plc said it has paused global trials of its experimental coronavirus vaccine because of an unexplained illness in a study participant.
- Mainstream Christian figures have criticised South Korea's churches for spreading fake news, aggravating the Covid-19 outbreak and depleting public resources.
- The Czech government will order the wearing of face masks inside buildings across the country from Thursday.
09 September 12:05
09 September 12:01
09 September 11:32
Pandemic threatens lives of millions of children - UN
Paris – Disruptions to health services due to the pandemic are putting millions of additional lives at risk worldwide, the United Nations said on Wednesday, warning that Covid-19 could reverse decades of progress in reducing child mortality.
The past 30 years have seen remarkable strides forward in preventing or treating causes of infant deaths, including premature births and pneumonia.
New mortality estimates published by the UN's children's fund UNICEF, the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the World Bank Group found that 2019 saw the lowest number of global under-five deaths on record.
Last year, around 5.2 million children died due to preventable illness, compared with 12.5 million in 1990. But it warned that the pandemic risked undoing all this by cutting routine child and maternal health services.
A UNICEF survey across 77 countries found 68% reported at least some disruption in child health checks and immunisations.
Henrietta Fore, UNICEF executive director, said that children and mothers particularly in low- and middle-income countries were being denied access to healthcare as Covid-19 cases clog national infrastructure.
"The global community has come too far towards eliminating preventable child deaths to allow the pandemic to stop us in our tracks," she said. "Without urgent investments to restart disrupted health systems and services, millions of children under five, especially newborns, could die."
- AFP
09 September 11:07
09 September 11:04
09 September 09:47
'The mental strength required to survive this is huge' - Covid-19 survivor shares his journey
A Covid-19 survivor who has shared his journey of recovery has emphasised the importance of the mental strength required to survive the virus that has currently claimed more than 15 000 lives in South Africa.
"The mental strength required to survive this is huge, and fortunately I am strong mentally and that gave motivation to my wife and daughter, that if papa looks like this we can survive, [because] he is not as bad as we think he is," Ramohemi Motshegoa says.
Motshegoa was speaking at a virtual briefing by the Gauteng government titled "Surviving Covid-19: The journey of defeating Covid-19".
Although Motshegoa was putting on a brave face for his family while fighting the virus at home in isolation, he knew – in his words – that he was feeling one of the worst experiences that he had ever had in his life.
09 September 09:36
How coronavirus detected in the blood can predict more severe cases of Covid-19
Imagine if a simple blood test could predict the outcome of Covid-19 and help alleviate the most severe effects? According to new research, it may be a possibility.
A blood test upon arrival at a hospital which shows the presence or absence of SARS-CoV-2 in the blood would be able to help act as a “triage” system to help identify those with severe Covid-19. When the virus is present in the blood, there is a higher chance of a more severe outcome.
Does this sound too good to be true? According to researchers at Karolinska Institutet and Danderyd Hospital, those without SARS-CoV-2 in blood samples may recover from Covid-19 more quickly. The study was recently published in the journal Clinical Infectious Diseases.
Higher viral level in blood equals higher chance of death
The researchers took blood samples from Covid-19 patients admitted to the Department of Infectious Diseases, Danderyd Hospital, Sweden. Those patients with detectable levels of SARS-CoV-2 in their blood were seven times more likely to develop critical symptoms and eight times more likely to die within 28 days, the researchers revealed.
09 September 08:57
Latin America and Caribbean surpass 300 000 Covid-19 deaths - AFP
Montevideo – Latin America and the Caribbean on Tuesday surpassed 300 000 deaths from Covid-19, with hard-hit Peru alone adding more than 30 000 new virus deaths, according to an AFP count of official data.
Brazil continues to be the most-affected country in the region. It also has the third-highest caseload in the world, with 4 162 073 reported cases, and the second-highest death toll, with 127 464.
But Peru, with 93.28 deaths per 100 000 inhabitants, has the highest mortality rate in the region, according to a ranking published by Johns Hopkins University.
- AFP
09 September 08:49
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09 September 08:28
09 September 08:28
Worldwide coronavirus cases cross 27.57 million, death toll at 895 990
More than 27.57 million people have been reported to be infected by the novel coronavirus globally and 895 990 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
09 September 08:27
09 September 08:19
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09 September 07:38
Latest Covid-19 numbers: 15 086 deaths, 640 441 cases and an 88.6% recovery rate
South Africa has recorded 82 more Covid-19-related deaths since Monday, bringing the death toll to 15 086.
The fatalities have been reported in the following provinces: 27 in KwaZulu-Natal, 15 in Gauteng, nine in the Eastern Cape, six in the Free State, five in the Northern Cape and 20 in the Western Cape.
09 September 07:36
Oxford's Covid-19 vaccine trial halted after unexplained illness
Trials of one of the most promising, frontrunner vaccines against Covid-19 have been halted after one of its participants developed a “potentially unexplained illness” .
09 September 07:35
Coronavirus morning update: WHO backs SA's Covid fight, but Mkhize warns 'not over the worst yet'
SA is doing its best, we know it's very complicated but it is doing its best, WHO says; and the health minister says we are over the surge - but we are not over the worst yet.
08 September 21:25
SA COVID-19 DAILY STATS
The Covid-19 death toll
has hit 15 086, while the number of cases now sits at 640 441.
The total number of
recoveries is now 567 729 - a recovery rate of 88.6%.
As of today, the total number of confirmed #COVID19 cases is 640 441, the total number of deaths is 15 086 and the total number of recoveries is 567 729. pic.twitter.com/DIweTdvAt6
— Dr Zweli Mkhize (@DrZweliMkhize) September 8, 2020
ICYMI: South Africa reached out to us, not through weakness, but strength - WHO commends SA
World Health Organisation (WHO) director-general Dr Tedros
Ghebreyesus has commended South Africa for the significant reduction in
the number of Covid-19 cases and deaths in the country.
In a briefing on
Monday, Ghebreyesus said: "South Africa is doing its best. We know it
is very complicated but it is doing its best and we are very glad to
partner and send our colleagues there to work with [the country] and
it's an honour for us to support any country.
"With the current trend, we hope to further push it to a decline and further control the pandemic."
"I
would like to thank the leadership of President, [Cyril] Ramaphosa,
not only in South Africa but in the whole continent, by helping to
develop the continental strategy; one continental strategy and helping
the continent to move as one," he added.
The organisation said South Africa reached out to it through strength - not weakness.
08 September 19:31
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Covid-19 wrap | Nigerian doctors strike again over benefits, China hails virus success
Nigerian resident doctors began their second strike of the year over pay and working conditions amid the spread of the new coronavirus, the doctors' union told Reuters on Tuesday.
The strike began on Monday, and includes 16 000 resident doctors out of a total of 42 000 doctors in the country, Dr Aliyu Sokomba, President of the National Association of Resident Doctors, told Reuters."It is an indefinite strike until issues are resolved," he said.
"All resident doctors at the Covid-19 centres have joined the strike."Nigeria, Africa's most populous nation, has a total of 55 160 confirmed coronavirus infections and 1 061 deaths. Resident doctors are medical school graduates training as specialists.
They are pivotal to frontline healthcare in Nigeria as they dominate the emergency wards in its hospitals.The group last went on strike in June, demanding better benefits and more protective equipment for battling the coronavirus.
They are still demanding, among other things, life insurance and hazard allowance.
08 September 17:48
Mkhize says SA is over its Covid-19 surge, but warns against early celebrations - reports
According to TimesLive and BusinessTech on Monday, Mkhize, in interviews with media, was optimistic about South Africa's Covid-19 trajectory, saying the number of people testing positive everyday had declined from 11 000 to about 2 000.
He added that South Africa was over its Covid-19 surge, but warned against an early celebration.
"We never actually knew what to expect and the reality is that we can now safely say we are over the surge. We are not over the worst yet. We are worried about what may happen in terms of a resurgence in the country," Mkhize said.
He added that while an increase in numbers was expected with a relaxation of restrictions under lockdown Levels 3 and 2, this did not happen.
08 September 17:08
Nine Covid-19 vaccine developers pledge to uphold scientific integrity
The CEOs of nine companies developing vaccines against Covid-19 on Tuesday pledged to "uphold the integrity of the scientific process" amid concern Donald Trump will pressure regulators to approve a vaccine ahead of the presidential election in November.
"We, the undersigned biopharmaceutical companies, want to make clear our ongoing commitment to developing and testing potential vaccines for Covid-19 in accordance with high ethical standards and sound scientific principles," said the CEOs.
The statement was signed by AstraZeneca, BioNTech, GlaxoSmithKline, Johnson & Johnson, Merck, Moderna, Novavax, Pfizer and Sanofi. Specifically, the companies said they would only seek emergency authorizations for vaccines "after demonstrating safety and efficacy through a Phase 3 clinical study that is designed and conducted to meet requirements of expert regulatory authorities such as FDA," the Food and Drug Administration.
Some experts and former officials of this agency worry it has become politicised after it issued emergency use authorisations for two Covid-19 treatments without sufficient proof. Both hydroxychloroquine, whose authorisation was later revoked over safety fears, and blood plasma from recovered Covid-19 patients, were touted by Trump.
Joe Biden, the Democratic candidate for president, has accused Trump of "undermining public confidence" by regularly raising the possibility a vaccine will be ready ahead of the election on 3 November.
Stephen Hahn, the head of the FDA, has also guaranteed that only science will decide when a vaccine is ready. In theory, the FDA has to rely on independent expert committees that oversee clinical trials before they give their green light.
The makers themselves must also apply for authorisation. Among the companies, Moderna and Pfizer are in the most advanced stages of their trials, and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has asked states to have distribution networks ready by 1 November.
The widely-respected Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergies and Infectious Diseases, has said the results of clinical trials aren't expected to be known until the final two months of the year.
"I think it's extremely unlikely but not impossible," that the trials will have results to show before the election, Moncef Slaoui, the scientific head of the White House program tasked with producing and delivering vaccine doses, told NPR.
-AFP
08 September 16:46
08 September 16:42
08 September 12:27
Worldwide coronavirus cases cross 27.42 million, death toll at 892 454
More than 27.42 million people have been reported to be infected by the novel coronavirus globally and 892 454 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
08 September 12:05
08 September 12:03
08 September 11:59
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Covid-19 wrap | Bali surge blamed on inaccurate rapid tests, Hong Kong eases some coronavirus curbs
- A spike in infections in Indonesia's holiday island of Bali and Thailand's first locally transmitted case in 100 days have dealt further blows to Southeast Asian hopes of reviving vital tourism industries.
- The Australian state at the centre of the country's second wave coronavirus outbreak is deepening its contact tracing programme to try to maintain a steady decline in daily new cases.
- Thousands of trainee doctors in South Korea returned to work after ending a more than two-week strike as the country continued to post three-digit rises in new daily infections.