WRAP | SA Covid-19 death toll at 17 863, while the number of cases now sits at 693 359

#COVID19 Statistics in SA as at 12 October.

Use the COVID Alert SA app to protect yourself, your loved ones and your community. Start using this privacy preserving app today. Add your phone to the fight! Download the Covid Alert SA app now! https://t.co/8YKEqaiiRF pic.twitter.com/w9PEPBlghl

— Dr Zweli Mkhize (@DrZweliMkhize) October 12, 2020

SA death toll at 17 863, while the number of cases now sits at 693 359

South Africa has recorded 83 more Covid-19-related deaths, taking the number of total fatalities to 17 863, according to Health Minister Zweli Mkhize.

“Regrettably, we report 83 more Covid-19 related deaths: 17 from Eastern Cape, 43 from the Free State, 2 from KwaZulu-Natal, 11 from Gauteng, 3 in North West and 7 from Western Cape. This brings the total number of COVID-19 related deaths to 17 863. Of the 83 deaths reported today, 8 occurred in the past 24-48 hours: 1 in the Free State, 2 in Gauteng and 5 in the Western Cape,” he said in a statement on Monday night.

The cumulative number of tests conducted to date is 4 418 418, with 10 977 new tests conducted since the last report.

Recoveries now stand at 624 659, which translates to a recovery rate of 90%.

Spain adds nearly 28 000 Covid-19 cases since Friday, 195 deaths

Spain has reported nearly 28 000 new coronavirus cases since Friday, bringing the cumulative total to 888 968, health ministry data showed on Monday.

The death toll from the virus rose by 195 from Friday to a total of 33 124. Spain does not report its coronavirus data during the weekend.

The number of new cases has stabilised since the peak on Sept. 18 when there were 16 000 cases in one day. The number of deaths reported on Friday was 241.

-REUTERS 

106 road accident deaths in KwaZulu-Natal since start of Level 1 lockdown – Premier Zikalala

"Since the commencement of Level 1, we have lost over 106 people, including last nights accident. The trend is that crashes have increased as we downscaled to lower levels. There are 77 car crashes reported since 21 September to date," he said.

Zikalala was speaking at his Sunday briefing to give an update on Covid-19.He said that some of the vehicles involved in accidents were "high-carrying capacity vehicles such as minibus taxes and high impact vehicles such as trucks". 

"We are still licking our wounds from the Wartburg accident [which claimed 13] and then last night's accident [which claimed 13]."

All the strict new Covid rules for SA companies

According to the new regulations, workers diagnosed with Covid-19 are only allowed to return to work (without requiring viral testing) if they have completed ten days of isolation from the onset of symptoms – but only if the employee had a mild case of infection, which didn’t require hospitalisation.

If the employee had a severe case, and required supplemental oxygen or hospitalisation, they may only return 10 days from the date of achieving “clinical stability”.

They may only return earlier if medical evaluation confirmed their fitness to work.

Four Vatican Swiss Guards test positive for Covid-19

Four members of the Vatican Swiss Guards, the elite and colourfully dressed corps that protects the pope, have tested positive for Covid-19, the Vatican said on Monday.

The results came in over the weekend and added to three other residents or citizens of the tiny Vatican city-state who have tested positive in recent weeks, according to a statement.

They are believed to be the first in the corps to test positive.

Nearly all of the guard are single men who live in a barracks just inside the Vatican gates. The commanders and married members live in separate apartments. All members have Swiss nationality.

- Reuters

Thailand to make, supply AstraZeneca's Covid-19 vaccine

Thailand has agreed to manufacture and supply AstraZeneca Plc's experimental Covid-19 vaccine in the southeast Asian country and other nations in the region, the British and Thai governments said on Monday.

The announcement by the British embassy in Bangkok did not specify how many doses of the vaccine candidate, AZD1222, would be distributed in Thailand. It also did not disclose the financial terms of the deal.

AstraZeneca is providing the potential vaccine, developed by scientists at the University of Oxford, at no profit during the pandemic and would work with Siam Bioscience to set up manufacturing facilities, Thailand's Ministry of Public Health said in a separate statement.

- Reuters

Iran reports highest ever daily coronavirus deaths - TV 

Iran registered a daily record 272 deaths from coronavirus in the past 24 hours, the health ministry said on Monday, taking total fatalities to 28 816 in the worst-hit country in the Middle East.

Ministry spokesperson Sima Sadat Lari told state TV that 4 206 new cases were identified in the past 24 hours, with the total number of identified cases spiking to 504 281.

Iranian health officials have warned about a third wave of the pandemic, while the government has blamed the spike in infections partly on a decline in public adherence to health protocols.

- Reuters

Stung by the pandemic, Ethiopia boosts health budget 46%, PM says

Ethiopia has raised its health budget by 46% this year after the coronavirus crisis exposed the need for more equipment, facilities and personnel, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said on Monday.

China to test entire city in 'five days' after six coronavirus cases

China aims to test more than nine million residents of the port city of Qingdao within five days following a minor outbreak of the coronavirus, health officials said on Monday, the first mass testing in months.

Novel coronavirus survives 28 days on glass, currency, Australian researchers find

Researchers at Australia's national science agency, CSIRO, found that at 20°C the SARS-COV-2 virus remained infectious for 28 days on smooth surfaces such as plastic banknotes and glass found on mobile phone screens.

Covid-19 wrap | Russia, France, Philippines report surge in coronavirus cases

Here are the latest developments in the coronavirus crisis.

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Coronavirus research recap: Risk of PTSD, and why Covid differs from patient to patient

Recap of the latest coronavirus research and science: Are Covid-19 survivors at heightened risk of PTSD; and why Covid-19 differs so much from patient to patient.

LATEST SCIENCE AND RESEARCH

A new research paper claims that people who have recovered from Covid-19 infection could experience lingering "brain fog", along with certain other symptoms – which could point toward post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

These symptoms were allegedly also observed in the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) outbreaks.

According to a news release, those who have recovered from a Covid-19 infection may experience headaches, anxiety, fatigue, sleep disruptions and difficulties with concentration.

Some patients fear that the virus may have caused permanent damage to the brain, but researchers say that such fears are probably unfounded.

Lockdown: More than half a million public servants were at home during Level 3

Figures show that 54 972 public servants were on leave for family responsibility while 213 291 were on sick leave. Mchunu said 72 911 staffers were on special leave, including examination leave and another 327 836 were on vacation.

The total number of public servants absent from work under the Level 2 lockdown was considerably lower.

Mchunu said: "The total number of public servants absent for the duration of the Level 2 lockdown period from 18 August 2020 to 31 August 2020 amounts to 78 765. The statistics as provided are up to and inclusive of 31 August 2020. The figure is made up of employees utilising approved leave as provided for in the public service prescripts."

Berlin nightlife shuts early as virus cases spike in Europe

A coronavirus curfew closed doors early on German capital Berlin's legendary nightlife on Saturday in a bid to limit surging infections, while in Latin America and the Carribean the number of cases passed 10 million.

Bars and restaurants closed at 23:00 (21:00 GMT) in Berlin under a partial curfew announced until 31 October, with the capital following in the footsteps of financial hub Frankfurt where a curfew had already been imposed, but starting an hour earlier.

With more than 400 new cases daily in Berlin, the 23:00 shutdown also covers all shops except pharmacies and petrol stations in a bid to prevent sales of alcohol late at night.

"This is not the time to party," said Berlin mayor Michael Muller in a message addressed to young people, who are driving new infections higher.

Chancellor Angela Merkel had already warned on Friday that high-infection areas would be given 10 days to bring down cases or face tougher action, calling big cities the "arena" to keep the pandemic under control.

- AFP

Coronavirus cases in Colombia pass 900 000

Coronavirus cases in Colombia topped 900 000 on Saturday, as deaths from Covid-19 closed in on 27 700, the Ministry of Health said.

The Andean country has 902 747 confirmed cases of the virus according to the health ministry, with 27 660 reported deaths. Active cases number 89 925.

Colombia began more than five months of lockdown in March.

The country began a much-looser "selective" quarantine in September which allows dining at restaurants, and international flights. It is expected to last until the end of October.

- Reuters

Brazil's virus death toll passes 150 000 people: official

Brazil on Saturday passed the bleak marker of 150 000 deaths from Covid-19, the health ministry said, as the rate of coronavirus infections continues to slow in the South American country.

With 212 million inhabitants, Brazil has accumulated 150 198 deaths from Covid-19 since the first fatality was recorded in March, and 5 082 637 infections, the ministry said.

It is the second highest death toll in the world after the United States, which has recorded more than 213 000 fatalities from Covid-19.

- AFP

US Covid-19 cases hit two-month high, 10 states report record increases

New cases of Covid-19 in the United States hit a two-month high on Friday with over 58 000 infections of the coronavirus reported and hospitalisations in the Midwest at record levels for a fifth day in a row, according to a Reuters analysis.

Ten of the 50 states reported record one-day rises in cases on Friday, including the Midwestern states of Indiana, Minnesota, Missouri and Ohio. Wisconsin and Illinois recorded over 3 000 new cases for a second day in a row - a two-day trend not seen even during the height of the previous outbreak in the spring, according to Reuters data.

The Western states of Montana, New Mexico and Wyoming also reported their biggest one-day jumps in cases, as did Oklahoma and West Virginia.

Nineteen states have seen record increases in new cases so far in October.

- Reuters

Ireland reports highest number of Covid-19 infections in single day

Ireland on Saturday reported 1 012 new cases of Covid-19, the highest number in a day since the start of the pandemic and almost double the average for the past week.

The surge, after a week in which regions of neighbouring Northern Ireland reported some of the highest infection rates in Europe, is likely to increase pressure on the government to impose additional restrictions.

Chief Medical Officer Tony Holohan said in a statement that he was "very worried about the numbers we are seeing and how quickly they are deteriorating".

Ireland reported an average of 523 cases per day over the previous seven days, double the infection rate seen three weeks earlier.

- Reuters

Coronavirus science | Week in review: Covid safety while shopping, and tips for recovery

Do sanitising sprays on trolley handles really kill the coronavirus; and "common-sense" tips for recovery with mild infections.

Covid-19 death toll increases by 126

The number of Covid-19 cases in SA now sits at 690 896, while the death toll has risen to 17 547. 

Covid-19 surges in the US

New cases of Covid-19 in the United States hit a two-month high on Friday with over 58 000 infections of the new coronavirus reported and hospitalisations in the Midwest at record levels for a fifth day in a row, according to a Reuters analysis.

Ten of the 50 states reported record one-day rises in cases on Friday, including the Midwestern states of Indiana, Minnesota, Missouri and Ohio. Wisconsin and Illinois recorded over 3 000 new cases for a second day in a row - a two-day trend not seen even during the height of the previous outbreak in the spring, according to Reuters data.

The Western states of Montana, New Mexico and Wyoming also reported their biggest one-day jumps in cases, as did Oklahoma and West Virginia. Nineteen states have seen record increases in new cases so far in October.

Amid the resurgence in cases across the nation, President Donald Trump, who recently contracted Covid-19, is set to resume his re-election campaign on Saturday by addressing supporters from the balcony of the White House.

He is then scheduled to travel on Monday to central Florida to hold his first campaign rally since leaving the hospital.

Trump and his administration have faced criticism for their handling of the pandemic that has claimed over 213 000 lives in the country, as well as for a lax approach to mask-wearing and social distancing in the White House.

There are now over 34 000 hospitalized nationally, up 18% in the past two weeks.

While deaths nationally continue to trend downward, the United States is losing on average 700 lives a day. Three states reported a record one-day increase in fatalities on Friday: Arkansas, Missouri and Montana. Health experts caution that deaths are a lagging indicator and usually rise weeks after cases climb.

- Reuters 

Covid-19 world wrap: More than 10 million cases in Latin America, Trump returns to campaign trail

More than 10 million cases of the new coronavirus have been recorded in Latin America and the Caribbean according to an AFP tally. A total of 10,001,833 cases have now been recorded, of whom 366,637 people have died and 8,537,563 are considered to be cured. According to official figures, the region is the worst hit by the virus in the world in terms of deaths.

Meanwhile President Donald Trump plans his first steps toward resuming in-person election campaigning on Saturday when he delivers remarks to supporters at the White House, aiming to show he has beaten the coronavirus and is back in the fray. Trump has been sidelined for more than week since his Covid-19 diagnosis during a critical juncture in campaigning for the Nov. 3 election. 

INFOGRAPHICS | First phase of SA’s Covid-19 epidemic is over - but data shows ‘slow burn’ in places

For the past three weeks the number of weekly deaths from natural causes in South Africa first returned to, and then stabilised, at predicted levels, after reaching significant levels at the peak of the country’s pandemic in July.

According to researchers this is a significant development, signalling the end of the "first wave" of the Covid-19 pandemic in South Africa, while the data shows that a "slow burn" pandemic is still playing out in the Free State and the Northern Cape.

Coronavirus morning recap: 30-minute diagnosis, Western Cape disputes claims, and latest on Trump

A new testing method can diagnose Covid-19 in 30 minutes; Western Cape disputes claims that hospitals are under strain; and "I was not in great shape", says Donald Trump.

Latest Covid-19 numbers: 17 547 deaths, 688 532 cases and a 90% recovery rate

South Africa has recorded 139 more Covid-19 related fatalities, bringing the death toll to 17 547, according to Health Minister Zweli Mkhize.

Bandile Masuku: Independent report findings 'contradicts SIU', clears him of hand in PPE graft

This report conflicts with the preliminary Special Investigating Unit (SIU) report into the case which places Masuku at the centre of the tender processes in the department which resulted in the husband of presidency spokesperson, Khusela Diko receiving a tender of R125 million to supply PPE, TimesLive reported.

"There is no evidence that Dr Masuku interfered in any PPE procurement processes. His stated motivation for being 'involved' was in delivery rather than procurement and solely to ensure that the GDoH did not run out of essential PPE, thereby endangering [the] life of GDoH medical staff or patients," the 39-page forensic report reads.

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Covid-19 wrap : Global cases top 36.58 million, while WHO wants to avoid 'punishing' lockdowns

The World Health Organisation's top emergencies expert said on Friday that authorities should try to avoid "punishing" lockdowns, as many countries see a sharp rise in the number of Covid-19 infections.

Mike Ryan was speaking at a briefing in Geneva, the day after the WHO reported a record one-day increase in global coronavirus cases, with the total rising by 338 779 in 24 hours led by a surge of infections in Europe.

"What we want to try to avoid - and sometimes it's unavoidable and we accept that - but what we want to try and avoid is these massive lockdowns that are so punishing to communities, to society and to everything else," he said.

Meanwhile, more than 36.58 million people have been reported to be infected by the novel coronavirus globally and 1 062 130 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.

Bandile Masuku instructs lawyers to challenge SIU report that got him discharged from his job

Discharged Gauteng Health MEC Bandile Masuku has instructed his lawyers to apply to set aside the findings of the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) report, which places him at the centre of the irregular procurement of personal protective equipment (PPE) in the department.

"The SIU report makes incorrect and non-factual findings about my role as Executive Authority. It is unclear whether the report is final, and to this end I have written to the Premier to explain to him that, in fact, and in law, I will be exercising my rights to review the findings in a court of law to set them aside," Masuku said in a 13-page statement on Friday.

China finally joined a global effort to distribute coronavirus vaccines equally - US is still refusing

China has decided to join a global effort to distribute coronavirus vaccines fairly around the world, while the US is still refusing to commit.

The World Health Organisation launched the Covax program to ensure that 2 billion vaccine doses can be distributed to those most in need by the end of 2021. So far 157 countries, including China, have signed up.

World Food Programme wins Nobel Peace Prize

The Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to the World Food Programme on Friday for feeding millions of people from Yemen to North Korea, with the coronavirus pandemic pushing millions more into hunger.

The WFP was "a driving force in efforts to prevent the use of hunger as a weapon of war and conflict", Nobel committee chairwoman Berit Reiss-Andersen said on unveiling the winner in Oslo.

"This is a powerful reminder to the world that peace and #ZeroHunger go hand-in-hand," the Rome-based organisation said on Twitter.

- AFP

Donald Trump says he hasn't tested negative for Covid-19, despite boasting of his recovery

President Donald Trump implied that he has yet to test negative for Covid-19 since his diagnosis, despite boasting that he has recovered.

Speaking with Fox New anchor Sean Hannity on Thursday night, Trump dodged questions over whether he had been tested since he announced his positive test the week before, leading to a three-night stay in the hospital.

Remdesivir speeds recovery for Covid patients, report concludes

Remdesivir hastens recovery for Covid patients, but does not appear to alter a person's risk of dying from the disease.

Remdesivir has proved its mettle against Covid-19, a final report on the antiviral concludes.

Remdesivir hastened recovery for Covid patients who were so sick they had to be hospitalised, said Dr Raymund Razonable, vice-chair of infectious diseases for the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.

People on remdesivir recovered in 10 days, on average, compared with 15 days for those only receiving supportive care like oxygen and IV fluids, according to the results published on 8 October in the New England Journal of Medicine.

New testing method can diagnose Covid-19 in 30 minutes

A new type of technology developed by researchers at POSTECH in South Korea can detect SARS-CoV-2 in just 30 minutes.

Results from currently available tests for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19, can take anything from a few hours to several days to become available.

Earlier this year, test result delays were causing concern among doctors, News24 reported, as this meant that infected people who should have been self-quarantining were instead putting others in danger while awaiting their results.

However, researchers from Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH) have developed a new test that diagnoses infected patients in just 30 minutes.

Lifting lockdowns is unlikely to boost the economic recovery as long as cases remain elevated, IMF says

 - Reversing lockdown measures while cases remain elevated is unlikely to drive a robust economic recovery, the International Monetary Fund said in a Thursday blog post.

 - Researchers at the organisation found that voluntary quarantining plays a substantial role in stifling a rebound as fears of contracting the coronavirus keeps consumers from boosting economic activity.

 - While lockdowns present some short-term costs, they "may lead to a faster economic recovery as they lower infections and thus the extent of voluntary social distancing," the team wrote.

 - Addressing the health crisis "appears to be a pre-condition to allow for a strong and sustained economic recovery," the IMF added.

Worldwide coronavirus cases cross 36.5 million, death toll at 1 060 997

More than 36.5 million people have been reported to be infected by the novel coronavirus globally and 1 060 997 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

Coronavirus morning recap: Covid reinfection, and vaccine hesitancy in SA 

A poorly developed immune response could possibly lead to Covid-19 reinfection, research suggests; and what we know about vaccine hesitancy in South Africa.

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As Covid-19 spreads, many experts are questioning the validity of the herd immunity theory. Researchers are asking whether it will be possible to stave off Covid-19 as more people develop antibodies.

While previous research has shown that recovery from Covid-19 is associated with a production of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2, it is still uncertain whether these antibodies can provide long-term immunity.

There is also the ongoing question of Covid-19 reinfection – where people test positive twice for SARS-CoV-2. Although the phenomenon is not well understood at this stage, reinfection could lead scientists to an effective vaccine and better treatment.

In a recent pre-print case study that appeared on the database medRxiv, a team from the University of Washington investigated a case that suggests a poorly developed immune response and waning antibody levels could make people more susceptible to reinfection.

A total of 686 891 cases have been reported with 1 736 new cases in the past 24 hours. A reported 618 771 people have recovered and there are 17 408 reported deaths, 160 in the past day. This means there are an estimated 50 712 active Covid-19 cases.

There were a reported 160 new deaths in the past 24-hours. This brings the number of official, reported deaths to 17 408. The most deaths have been recorded in Gauteng and the Western Cape, with 4 386 and 4 239 deaths respectively. On average for the past week, 77 deaths were reported per day.

Covid-19 corruption: Hawks seize electronics, documents in probe into R2.7m Eastern Cape PPE tender

The search and seizure operation was conducted in King William's Town early on Thursday morning.

"A trading company was awarded the tender to provide the personal protective equipment to the department," Hawks spokesperson Colonel Katlego Mogale said.

He said it was understood that the company was paid the initial R2.7 million and then a further R198 000 into two different bank accounts.