LIVE | SA records 16 938 Covid-19 deaths with 679 716 confirmed cases, global death toll at 1 029 669

GLOBAL NEWS WRAP

The latest on the spread of the novel coronavirus pandemic around the world.

Britain reports sharp increase in daily new coronavirus cases

LONDON – Britain reported 12 872 new Covid-19 cases on Saturday, almost double the number from a day earlier, with the government blaming the jump on a reporting delay and saying the numbers in coming days would include additional cases.

The government's website said a technical issue had delayed publishing a number of new Covid-19 cases.

"This means the total reported over the coming days will include some additional cases from the period between 24 September and 1 October, increasing the number of cases reported," it said.

 - REUTERS  

Mexico reports 4 863 new coronavirus cases, 388 more deaths - health ministry

MEXICO CITY – Mexico's confirmed coronavirus cases rose to 757 953 on Saturday, according to the health ministry, with a total reported death toll of 78 880.

Authorities reported 4 863 new cases and 388 deaths, but the true figures are likely significantly higher due to limited testing.

 - REUTERS  

Brazil registers 599 new coronavirus deaths

SAO PAULO – Brazil on Saturday registered 599 new coronavirus deaths and 26 310 new confirmed cases, the health ministry said.

Brazil now has a total of 145 987 dead due to the coronavirus and 4 906 833 confirmed cases.

 - REUTERS  

Germany's confirmed coronavirus cases rise by 2 279 to 299 237 - RKI

BERLIN – The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Germany increased by 2 279 to 299 237, data from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) for infectious diseases showed on Sunday.

The reported death toll rose by 2 to 9 529, the tally showed.

 - REUTERS  

Russia's new coronavirus cases top 10 000 for first time since mid-May

MOSCOW – Russia reported 10 499 new coronavirus cases on Sunday, the highest number of daily infections since 15 May, when the outbreak was at its peak and lockdowns were in place.

Russia's coronavirus crisis centre said that 107 coronavirus deaths had been confirmed in the last 24 hours, which took the official national death toll to 21 358.

 - REUTERS  

Indonesia's coronavirus cases top 300 000

JAKARTA – Indonesia on Sunday reported 3 992 new coronavirus cases, the lowest daily increase in six days, taking its total number of infections to 303 498, health ministry data showed.

The coronavirus-related death toll rose by 96 to 11 151.

 - REUTERS  

Poland's total number of coronavirus cases exceeds 100 000

WARSAW – Poland's total number of coronavirus cases passed the 100 000 mark on Sunday, according to the health ministry's Twitter account, as infection rates surge in the country which has reported daily records three times in the past week.

While Poland's total number of cases remains well below that in many western European virus hotspots, reaching 100 000 illustrates how the spread of Covid-19 has accelerated in a country which avoided the worst of the first wave and where in July the prime minister played down risks ahead of an election.

The country of 38 million has now reported a total of 100 074 cases of the coronavirus and 2 630 deaths.

On Sunday it reported 1 934 new daily cases and 26 deaths, after performing over 25 900 tests.

Poland quickly introduced strict lockdown measures during the early stages of the pandemic, but the ruling nationalist party Law and Justice (PiS) have said they want to avoid another economically damaging lockdown by introducing targeted measures in the worst affected places.

 - REUTERS

Germany formally cleared for travel to SA – and Emirates is still flying in too

 - Germans are formally cleared for visa-free travel to South Africa, Germany's ambassador to SA announced.

 - Unconfirmed reports of cancellations notwithstanding, Emirates flights into SA still seem to be going ahead.

 - Airlines have privately expressed concerns about SA's red-list system, and are worried about how crew may be treated in the event of a coronavirus case aboard their flights.

Worldwide coronavirus cases cross 34.77 million, death toll at 1 029 669

More than 34.77 million people have been reported to be infected by the novel coronavirus globally and 1 029 669 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

Australia's Covid-19 hotspot cases inch up, but officials optimistic

MELBOURNE – New daily coronavirus infections in Australia's hotspot of Victoria climbed back to double digits on Sunday with 12 cases recorded, but authorities said the state is on track to be able to ease its social distancing restrictions in coming weeks.

The dozen new coronavirus cases follow eight infections reported on Saturday and single-digit numbers for most of the past week.

Melbourne, Victoria's capital, has been under a strict lockdown for nearly three months. Retail and restaurants operate only on take away or delivery orders only, while people can exercise or socialise outdoors for a maximum of two hours a day and must wear masks in public places.

Most restrictions will be eased when the average number of new daily cases over a two-week window falls below five. The 14-day rolling case average for Melbourne has been going steadily down and it is now at 11.9.

"We are so, so close," Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews told a televised briefing. "If we continue these numbers, continue this trend, we are ready to take that step. All things being equal, that will be just a couple of weeks."

Australia has had just over 27,000 infections, according to health ministry data.

 - REUTERS

Solomon Islands record first coronavirus case

Honiara – The Solomon Islands announced they have lost the battle to stay free of the coronavirus, leaving just nine small, remote territories that have not reported a single case.

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare told the Pacific island nation in a televised address that a student who recently arrived from the Philippines on a repatriation flight carrying 96 passengers had returned a positive test.

"It pains me to say that we have lost our Covid-19-free status despite our collective effort to prevent the pandemic from entering our country," Sogavare said on Saturday.

He urged the population of 600 000 in the archipelago to remain calm and said contact tracing and other measures to prevent the spread of the virus had been activated and there was no need for a lockdown.

The student, who tested negative three times in the Philippines before boarding the flight, was found positive in a routine test on return to the capital Honiara and is now in isolation.

Eighteen other students who tested positive remain in quarantine in Manila.

Since the Solomons borders were closed in March, more than 400 students have been stuck in the Philippines, which has been hard hit by the virus.

Under pressure from parents, Solomons officials arranged three repatriation flights with the first arriving last Tuesday.

Despite confirming its first case of Covid-19, Sogavare said the government would continue working to bring the remaining students home.

Only the small and remote island nations and territories of Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu are believed to be still free of the virus.

 - AFP

Coronavirus science | Week in review: Neurological effects, diabetes, and faulty genes

Recap of the latest coronavirus research and science: The silent third wave of Covid-19 might be Parkinson's; evidence on Covid and diabetes; and the role of faulty genes.

LATEST SCIENCE AND RESEARCH

The neurological effects of Covid-19 have been well documented, but some scientists are raising concerns about its potential influence on the future development of neurological conditions like Parkinson's disease.

This hypothesis was explored in a recent paper published in the Journal of Parkinson's Disease, where researchers theorised that Covid-19's neurological symptoms could be a precursor to diseases like Parkinson's.

For example, the coronavirus symptom of losing one's sense of taste and smell also appears in Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. This symptom is probably underestimated due to a reliance on self-reporting from patients.

It could mark a "third wave" of the pandemic that healthcare systems around the world should prepare for.

Trump releases new video to say he's in hospital so 'things work out' after Covid-19 diagnosis

US President Donald Trump said he's being hospitalised for further monitoring and treatment for COVID-19 to "make sure things work out."

 "I want to thank everybody for the tremendous support," Trump said in a video posted to Twitter. "I'm going to Walter Reed Hospital: I think I'm doing very well, but we're going to make sure that things work out. The First Lady is doing very well, so thank you very much, I appreciate it, I will never forget it, thank you."

Amazon sales of some masks, pulse oximeters skyrocket in the US after Trump gets Covid

Amazon's sales of certain thermometers, disinfecting wipes, and masks soared in America on Friday, after US President Donald Trump and US First Lady Melania Trump tested positive for Covid-19. 

Amazon's sales of Femometer's medical oral thermometer spiked 248%, reaching 1,933 units sold on Friday up from 556 on Thursday, according to Jungle Scout data shared with Business Insider.

Coronavirus morning recap: Blocked pain signals, and upsetting pandemic-induced dreams

The effect of the virus on pain receptors; and the pandemic is causing anxious, upsetting dreams in many people, especially women.

Trump experiencing mild coronavirus symptoms, says White House official - reports

President Donald Trump is experiencing "mild symptoms" of Covid-19 after revealing that he and his wife had tested positive, a White House official said on Friday according to the Associated Press and the New York Times.

Two people familiar with his condition told the Times they were coldlike symptoms.

President Donald Trump has tested positive for Covid-19.

His age, weight, and sex put him in groups more likely to be hospitalized or get a severe case of the illness.

First Lady Melania Trump, who also tested positive for the virus, tweeted early Friday morning that they are "feeling good."

Coronavirus morning recap: Covid has worsened inequality, and schools see significant drop in cases

SA's nationwide lockdown has deepened inequality, researchers say; and schools have seen a decline in Covid-19 cases.

Germany, but not Austria or Switzerland! Tourism companies wants SA’s travel red list explained

The Tourism Business Council of South Africa (TBCSA) has called for an urgent meeting with government to explain how South Africa’s travel red list was compiled, after the country's first international tourists touched down in Johannesburg on Thursday.

“We are pleased that international borders are finally reopening so that the tourism sector can get back to work, contribute to the economy and save jobs. This is what we have been lobbying for fervently for many months,” says Tshifhiwa Tshivhengwa, CEO TBCSA.  

Dodgy Gauteng Covid-19 tenders: We want the money back, Makhura warns corrupt officials

Gauteng Premier David Makhura on Thursday vowed that action would be taken against every corrupt official involved in the procurement of personal protective equipment (PPE), as well as those who allowed it to happen.

Makhura on Wednesday placed the head of the provincial health department, Professor Mkhululi Lukhele, on precautionary suspension with immediate effect.

Makhura's office said he was acting on the recommendations of the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), following the presentation of an update report on 22 September 2020.

Covid-19 wrap | Serbia to review death rate, India court orders airlines to refund lockdown bookings

More than 33.95 million people have been reported to be infected by the novel coronavirus globally and 1 011 257 have died, according to a Reuters tally. 

'You cannot lock down everybody' Madrid tells Spanish government in Covid spat 

You cannot lock down everybody," the chief of the Madrid region said on Thursday, pushing back against the Spanish government's plan to confine the capital city to tackle a surge in Covid-19 cases.

White House will not accept $2.2 trillion coronavirus aid package -Mnuchin             

Treasury Steven Mnuchin said on Wednesday the Trump administration would not accept Democrats' proposal for a $2.2 trillion coronavirus aid package, and indicated he wanted a deal closer to $1.5 trillion.

‘Our choices will determine what’s to come’, says SA medical expert on potential second wave

Despite South Africa moving to alert Level 1 lockdown in September, and being the country with the 10th highest recovery rate (90%) in the world, experts are warning that there is still the potential of a second wave of Covid-19 infections – but that a behaviour change can avert it from happening.

Hours after travel ban is lifted, first flight from Europe lands in Joburg

South Africa's borders were opened for international leisure travellers at midnight.

Flight LH 572 from Frankfurt landed at OR Tambo International airport on Thursday morning, just hours after the ban was lifted. 

While Lufthansa conducted repatriation flights during the six-month lockdown in South Africa, this is the first flight aimed at business and leisure travellers. 

School readiness briefing summary:  

Education Minister Angie Motshekga on Thursday launched the Education countdown to the National Senior Certificate (NSC) exams which begin on 5 November.  

She said that exam venues have been audited as the department prepares for the largest ever NSC exams.  

Matric pupils have been at school since June and Motshekga reported that overall, attendance for all grades was between 80% and 90%.

She encouraged parents to return all children to school.  

There are interventions to ensure that pupils remain engaged with the academic programme despite rotational educational days and the minister highlighted reading as a key strategy to keep children learning.  

Motshekga said that non-contact sports at schools could resume, but added that the department would soon gazette which specific sports could commence as stakeholder engagement continued.  

The school feeding system saw a significant uptick as more pupils returned to school and the department also fed children during lockdown when schooling was suspended, added Motshekga.  

Schools will reopen on 25 January 2021.  

- Compiled by Duncan Alfreds

Late start of exam is allow extra time to cover content.  

This will be the largest public examination ever, says the minister.  

Start date of 5 November

Schools will open on 25 January 2021.  

It will be gazetted on Friday.  

Our priority has been the learner, says Motshekga

Teacher appreciation activities continue in October.  

Motshekga sends condolences to families of teachers who have died as a result of Covid-19.

Matrics have been at school since June.

All teachers have gone back to work, except those who are not well

The rotation of school pupil attendance creates the space for delinquency.  

Government has initiated programmes to keep children engaged.  

Pupils should read at home

Coronavirus morning recap: Phantom smells, faulty genes and update on travel

Research on smell distortions, possible reasons behind severe Covid-19 in younger people and South Africa’s full red list of countries.

With 1 767 coronavirus cases recorded, SA now has 674 339 infections.

67 more deaths have been reported bringing the tally to 16 734.

There are 608 112 recoveries - a recovery rate of 90%.

International students wishing to return to SA to be subjected to Covid-19 testing

International students wishing to return to South African universities, will be subjected to Covid-19 testing before being admitted back to class.

Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande said those students who remained outside the country, would also need to go into quarantine at their own expense for at least 10 days before proceeding to their respective institutions. 

After an initial mistake, govt confirms Brazil is high risk – no tourism to SA allowed

On Wednesday afternoon, government announced that no tourists will be allowed from a list of high-risk countries.

The list excluded Brazil which, at almost 4.8 million cases of Covid-19, currently the third-highest caseload in the world.

Almost 143,000 Brazilians have died from the disease.But a few hours later, minister of home affairs Aaron Motsoaledi confirmed that Brazil’s exclusion was an oversight.

A 24-hour home affairs team has a passenger list of all people entering the country. If someone isn't allowed in SA, home affairs will notify the crew and if the person arrives in the country, they will be sent back.

If a airline allows a person to travel without the 72-hour test the traveller will be the airline's responsibility, says Motsoaledi.

No UK or US tourists allowed in SA – here is the list

South Africa will use its own level of coronavirus risk to determine what countries are considered high, medium, or low risk, international relations minister Naledi Pandor announced at a press conference on new travel measures.

Those with significantly higher levels of infection spread and deaths, compared to South Africa, will be rated as high risk – and leisure travellers from those countries will not be permitted into South Africa.

The only exception will be those with high-skills visas, and investors.

Puerto Rico, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Switzerland, Ukraine, UK, US are some of the high risk countries, says Minister Aaron Motsoaledi.