LIVE | Covid-19 in SA: Death toll at 18 151, with 696 414 confirmed cases

Mexico's coronavirus death tally nears 85 000

Mexico's health ministry on Wednesday reported 4 056 new confirmed cases of coronavirus infection and 478 additional fatalities, bringing the total in the country to 829 396 cases and 84 898 deaths.

The government says the real number of infected people is likely significantly higher than the confirmed cases.

- Reuters

Coronavirus morning recap: Latest on infection risk, reinfection, and state of disaster extended

Age doesn't matter with your likelihood of being infected; reinfection is rare, but symptoms may be more severe second time around; and national state of disaster extended.

LATEST SCIENCE AND RESEARCH

Scientists from Hokkaido University, Japan, have discovered that the age of an individual does not indicate how likely they are to develop Covid-19, the disease caused by SARS-CoV-2.

However, three factors are age-dependent: development of symptoms, progression of the disease, and mortality.

These results are based on the work of a team of scientists who used mathematical modelling to study Covid-19 susceptibility in patients from Japan, Spain, and Italy. Their results were published in the journal Scientific Reports this month.

The three countries were chosen based on well-recorded, publicly available data, the researchers stated in a news release by the university.

Trump's son Barron tested positive for Covid-19, says Melania Trump

President Donald Trump's 14-year-old son Barron tested positive for Covid-19 but exhibited no symptoms, after both of his parents contracted the virus, first lady Melania Trump said on Wednesday.

"Luckily he is a strong teenager and exhibited no symptoms," Melania Trump said in a statement. She said Barron has since tested negative for the virus.

-REUTERS

France's new daily Covid-19 cases above 20 000 again

France reported 22 591 new confirmed coronavirus cases on Wednesday, the daily tally going beyond the 20 000 threshold for the third time in six days, while hospitalisations and deaths linked to the disease also keep ramping up.

Those data are published as French President Emmanuel Macron is announcing new restrictions to contain the spread of the virus, including curfews imposed on Covid-19 hotspots, including Paris.

The cumulative number of confirmed cases rose to 779 063 and the seven-day moving average of new cases per day increased more than a record 17 000 figure for the third day running.

-REUTERS

Tin Roof party: Covid-19 cases up to 73, two hospitalised

The number of Covid-19 cases linked to an event at Cape Town's Tin Roof bar has risen to 73, with all but two experiencing mild symptoms, the Western Cape Department of Health said on Wednesday. 

This was an increase from the 63 cases shared by Western Cape Premier Alan Winde on Tuesday.

Spokesperson Mark van der Heever said two people were hospitalised, but one was discharged after a short stay.

Another cluster linked to a funeral has been identified, but further details were not immediately available.

WHO fears spike in global Covid-19 cases will be followed by increased deaths

The World Health Organisation's (WHO) chief scientist on Wednesday raised concern that the recent global increase in new Covid-19 infections will be followed by rising deaths that currently number around 5 00 every day.

Cases are surging, with nearly 20 000 infections reported in Britain and Italy, Switzerland and Russia among nations reporting record new cases. More than 38 million people have been reported to be infected by the novel coronavirus globally and nearly 1.1 million have died, according to a Reuters tally.

"Mortality increases always lag behind increasing cases by a couple of weeks," Dr. Soumya Swaminathan said during a WHO social media event.

"We are still losing approximately 5 000 people a day...so we shouldn't be complacent that death rates are coming down."

-REUTERS

Indonesia FM calls for 'equal access' to Covid-19 vaccines

Developing countries must have 'equal access' to future Covid-19 vaccines, Indonesia's foreign minister warned, as wealthy nations scoop up billions of doses.

Retno Marsudi said it was crucial for rich and poor nations to work together so "we can guarantee equal access to a safe and affordable vaccine".

"Can you imagine...if most vaccines go to developed countries?" Marsudi told AFP in a video interview from London.

"What will be the fate of the developing countries?"

Marsudi's comments follow an Oxfam report last month that found a group of wealthy nations representing just 13 percent of the global population have already bought up more than half of the promised doses of future Covid-19 vaccines.

Marsudi met with UK-based pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca on Wednesday to cement a vaccine-dose deal for Indonesia, the world's fourth most populous nation with nearly 270 million people, which has struggled to contain soaring infection rates.

The agreement is expected to see the first delivery of some 100 million doses early next year, she said."(The rest) will be sent in stages," Marsudi said after the meeting.

Marsudi is also slated to go to Switzerland as part of her country's bid to secure agreements for vaccine doses.

In August, Indonesia kicked off human trials of a vaccine candidate produced by China's Sinovac Biotech with some 1 600 volunteers taking part in the six-month study.

Indonesia, one of the hardest hit countries in Asia, has reported more than 340 000 cases of coronavirus and over 12 000 deaths. But, with some of the world's lowest testing rates, the true scale of its public health crisis is believed to be much greater.

-AFP

Biovac in talks to manufacture Covid-19 vaccines

A Cape Town based company part-owned by the government is in talks with the global Covid-19 vaccine distribution scheme and pharmaceutical companies to produce some of the vaccines the country needs to protect itself against the disease.

The Biovac Institute, a joint venture between the government and private sector, could produce up to 30 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines per year, depending on the technology involved, Chief Executive Morena Makhoana told Reuters.

Depending on whether the vaccines require a one- or two-dose regimen, that could be enough for a quarter or half of South Africa's population.

"We need to look at who is likely to get to the finishing line and who has the technological fit," Makhoana said, when asked which vaccine candidate Biovac might partner with. "Discussions are happening and we are fairly confident that ... we will be able to clinch a deal.

"The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), the foundation that co-leads the COVAX scheme alongside the World Health Organisation and vaccines alliance GAVI, has identified Biovac as a potential drug product manufacturer but has not signed an agreement yet, a CEPI spokesman said.

Drug product manufacturing typically includes steps like vaccine formulation, filling and finishing of vials, labelling and packaging, he said.

The COVAX scheme aims to deliver 2 billion doses of Covid-19 vaccine by the end of 2021. CEPI is reserving capacity with vaccine manufacturers worldwide so that goal can be met.

South Africa has submitted a non-binding confirmation of intent to participate in COVAX.

Makhoana said Biovac could not make "live virus" vaccines at this stage, precluding some vaccines being trailed in South Africa in partnership with Oxford University and Johnson & Johnson.

He declined to name the companies Biovac was speaking to. The Department of Science and Innovation, the ministry that manages the government's stake in Biovac, supports its ambitions because it wants to stimulate local manufacturing and limit the impact of vaccine procurement on the country's balance of payments, Director-General Phil Mjwara said.

Currently government buys about 95% of the vaccines supplied annually by Biovac, covering diseases such as tuberculosis, cervical cancer and influenza, with the rest sold to countries in the rest of Africa.

In the past Biovac has partnered with companies like Pfizer and Sanofi.

-REUTERS

Europe's dramatic spike in Covid cases is what happens when reopening meets 'pandemic fatigue'

Scientists warned the world this spring: Nations could see a second, larger wave of coronavirus cases in the fall as they relaxed lockdown restrictions. That worst-case scenario has now come to fruition in a number of European countries.

A 45-year-old Covid-19 patient in the UK now has permanent hearing loss

An otherwise healthy 45-year-old man in the UK lost his hearing after having Covid-19, making him the first reported case of such an instance in the country, according to a new case study in BMJ Case Reports.

New lockdowns from China to Europe as coronavirus trials stumble

As Europe imposed new restrictions to try to stall a surging second wave of the novel coronavirus, hopes for vaccines to rapidly provide relief suffered a blow on Tuesday with the suspension of two clinical trials in the United States.

Covid-19 wrap | 10K-plus coronavirus cases in Brazil, 5K in Germany, global emissions drop

Here are the latest developments in the coronavirus crisis.

Global economy's recovery hinges on stimulus, virus battle, officials say

Global finance leaders on Tuesday said the world economy had escaped a coronavirus-triggered collapse so far, but warned that failure to conquer the pandemic, maintain stimulus and tackle mounting debt among poor nations could crush a fragile recovery.

At the start of the annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank, the IMF issued slightly improved growth forecasts spurred by unexpectedly stronger rebounds from coronavirus lockdowns in the wealthiest countries and China.

The IMF said it now expected global gross domestic product to shrink 4.4% in 2020, compared to the 5.2% contraction it predicted in June, when business closures were at their peak. Some $12 trillion in stimulus supplied largely by advanced economies limited the damage, but poor countries and other emerging market economies faced a worsening picture, the global lender said.

- Reuters

Czech Republic reports more than 8 000 daily Covid-19 cases for second time

The Czech Republic recorded 8 325 new coronavirus cases on Tuesday, its second-highest daily tally since the pandemic started, Health Ministry data showed on Wednesday.

The country of 10.7 million has seen a five-fold rise in cases since the start of September. Since March, it has reported 129 747 cases, of which 59 901 have recovered.

Deaths have climbed to 1 106, from 696 on 1 October.

- Reuters

Bulgaria hits daily record for new Covid-19 cases

Bulgaria reported 785 new coronavirus cases on Wednesday, setting a daily record for a fourth time in a week as infections keep rising, official data showed.

The Balkan country now has 25 774 confirmed Covid-19 cases, including 923 deaths. A total of 1 307 people are hospitalised and 63 are in intensive care, data from the coronavirus information platform showed.

Health officials have urged people to wear protective face masks on public transport and in indoor spaces and to maintain social distancing to avoid the need for tougher restrictions.

- Reuters

Eli Lilly pauses trial of antibody drug Trump touted as Covid-19 'cure' over safety concern

Eli Lilly and Co said on Tuesday that the government-sponsored clinical trial of its Covid-19 antibody treatment similar to one taken by US President Donald Trump has been paused because of a safety concern.

Trump touted the Lilly drug, along with the antibody treatment from Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc that he received for his Covid-19, as tantamount to a cure in a video he posted last week.

The announcement comes one day after Johnson & Johnson said it was forced to pause a large high-profile trial of its experimental coronavirus vaccine because a volunteer fell ill. J&J said it does not yet know if that person was given the vaccine or a placebo.

AstraZeneca Plc's US trial for its experimental Covid-19 vaccine has also been on hold for over a month after a volunteer in its UK study fell ill. Trials of that vaccine resumed in other regions after a brief halt.

- Reuters

Coronavirus spikes in two Australian states; easing restrictions delayed

Several coronavirus clusters have emerged in Australia's two most populous states, officials said on Wednesday, prompting the biggest, New South Wales (NSW), to delay easing some restrictions.

Australia is one of the most successful countries to combat the virus, recording 904 deaths and around 245 active cases according to official tallies.

The NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said she was concerned the state was on the cusp of another major community transmission, after 11 new cases were locally acquired and a cluster appeared in the southwest Sydney suburb of Lakemba.

She said the easing of some social restrictions involving restaurants and weddings would now be put on hold.

"We were going to further ease restrictions in relation to hospitality venues," Berejiklian said.

"I'm still hopeful we can ... As long as more people come along and get tested."

- Reuters

Coronavirus morning recap: Latest on vaccines, and fears of 'super-spreader' event in Cape Town 

Second Covid vaccine trial paused for unexplained illness; MMR vaccine trial launched in SA; and call for probe after dozens of Covid-19 cases linked to a party in Cape Town.

LATEST SCIENCE AND RESEARCH

Scientists from the University of Cape Town (UCT) and Witwatersrand (Wits) are launching a clinical trial to test whether the childhood vaccine for measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) can protect frontline health-care workers from Covid-19, the disease caused by SARS-CoV-2, or reduce the severity of illness for infected individuals.

Researchers of the trial are hoping to learn whether the vaccine can elicit an immune response that slows the spread of the virus and protects frontline healthcare workers who work in high-risk settings from developing Covid-19.

The MMR vaccine was approved almost 50 years ago and has since been safely given safely to hundreds of millions of people around the world.

The World Health Organization (WHO) states that the vaccine is widely used for the immunisation of children in certain regions of the world due to its advantages over individual vaccines.

US CDC reports 214,446 deaths from coronavirus

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Tuesday reported 7 787 548 cases of the new coronavirus, an increase of 46 614 from its previous count, and said that the number of deaths had risen by 338 to 214 446.

The CDC reported its tally of cases of the respiratory illness known as Covid-19, caused by a new coronavirus, as of 16:00 on 12 October versus its previous report a day earlier.

The CDC figures do not necessarily reflect cases reported by individual states.

-REUTERS

Tin Roof party: Winde wants probe after dozens catch Covid-19, but club says it followed protocols

Premier Alan Winde stated on Tuesday that a pattern of new cases was picked up by doctors who worked in the area. 

"There are some other concerning allegations around this event, and we are now requesting a full investigation into this bar/club in question - including by SAPS and the Western Cape Liquor Authority," he said. 

Winde said this did not mean there was a second wave in the province, but that it was an example of people letting their guard down. 

"As long as there is even one Covid-19 infection, it will be possible for the virus to spread to other people," he said.

"The virus is still out there, and it remains important that we keep ourselves safe. If we don't do this, it is possible that we will also experience a new wave of infections in the future, as is being witnessed elsewhere in the world."

Earlier, News24 reported that 47 school pupils who visited the Tin Roof Bar in Claremont had tested positive for the virus after a night out there.

Bangladesh will not co-fund Sinovac's vaccine trial - Health Minister

Bangladesh will not co-fund a late-stage domestic trial of a potential coronavirus vaccine developed by China's Sinovac Biotech, the country's health minister Zahid Maleque told Reuters on Tuesday.

His comments come weeks after Sinovac asked the Bangladesh government to co-fund the domestic trials, which sources said would cost roughly $7 million.

Sinovac informed the health ministry in a letter, seen by Reuters, that a delay in approvals in Bangladesh had resulted in funding getting reallocated to trials in other countries.

"We are not co-funding the trial. That was not in the agreement. They never asked for money when they approached us," Maleque said.

"As per agreement, they'll bear all expenses of the trial, they'll give us 110 000 free vaccines and they'll share the technology so that our pharmaceutical companies can make the vaccine.

"Sinovac, which last month commenced Phase III trials on its "CoronaVac" vaccine in Turkey, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

In the letter to the government from September, Sinovac also said it had sought funding for the trial from the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) - a foundation backed by public funds and private philanthropy - but this had failed to come through.

"We are working on plans to partially rectify the funding situation by the end of October or early November," said the company in the letter, but stressed it would still require co-funding to complete the trial in Bangladesh.

The country's state medical research agency had given a go-ahead to the Phase III trial in July and government approval came a month later. Maleque said Sinovac was still free to conduct the trial in Bangladesh with its own funds.

"They can conduct the trial. But we can't co-fund the trial with a private company. It has to be a government-to-government deal if we go for co-funding," he added.

The minister said Bangladesh was in talks with at least five frontrunners for the vaccine, including Astrazeneca.

Bangladesh reported 22 deaths and 1 537 new Covd-19 infections on Tuesday, taking the total number of reported cases in the country to 381 275, and the death toll to 5 577.

"We will ensure the best vaccine for our people. We have allocated funds for that and our development partners are also eager to fund us," Maleque said.

-REUTERS 

Norway to provide Covid-19 vaccine free of charge

Norway will provide a vaccine against Covid-19 free of charge to its inhabitants when one becomes available, the government said on Tuesday, and this would become part of the country's national vaccination programme.

Norway, which is part of the European single market but is not a member of the European Union, said in August it would get access to the vaccines that the EU obtains via deals negotiated with pharmaceuticals companies.

"We want as many people as possible to get the offer of receiving a safe and effective vaccine. This is why vaccination will be free of charge," Prime Minister Erna Solberg said in a statement.

Sweden, an EU member and Norway's neighbour, will buy more of the vaccines than it needs and then sell them on to Norway.

"The EU has so far entered into agreements with three different vaccine manufacturers, and is negotiating agreements with several other manufacturers. Norway is covered by these agreements through resale agreements with Sweden," the government said in Tuesday's statement.

The Nordic country has currently the lowest level of new infections in Europe. Its 14-day cumulative number of Covid-19 cases per 100 000 inhabitants was 34.3 as of Tuesday, according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.

There are wide disparities within the country though. Authorities are most concerned with the situation in Oslo, where current restrictions, such as compulsory wearing of face masks in public transport when social distancing cannot be maintained, were extended on Tuesday for an indefinite period.

Norway is also part of COVAX, the global scheme for the distribution of Covid-19 vaccines backed by the World Health Organisation, joined by 171 nations including China, but shunned by the United States and Russia. The programme aims to offer equitable access to Cov-19 vaccines for rich and poor countries alike.

-REUTERS

Polish PM quarantining after possible Covid exposure

Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said on Tuesday he was in quarantine after coming into contact with a person with Covid-19.

"I found out that I had contact with a person who tested positive for Covid-19. Considering this and following sanitary rules, I am placing myself in quarantine," he said in a video message on Facebook.

"I am in contact with my colleagues, the government is functioning normally," he said, calling on Poles to respect sanitary rules, wear masks and follow social distancing rules.

The message did not say whether Morawiecki would be able to attend this week's summit of EU leaders.

- AFP

Desperate Americans hit by pandemic beg Congress, Trump to pass economic relief bill

Sylvia Padilla spent last Thursday checking food pantries in Lubbock, Texas for groceries to feed herself, her daughter and 3-year-old grandson.

Some places were closed, others had nothing available. Outside the shuttered St John's United Methodist Church, Padilla, 50, recounted her struggle to survive during the economic disaster that the novel coronavirus pandemic had dumped upon her, choking words out through tears of fear and frustration.

"This is like a nightmare I can't wake up from," Padilla said, resting her face in her hands. "It really feels like a nightmare, but it's our reality."

Like many Americans, Padilla is barely getting by and says she desperately needs government help. She received a $1 200 cheque in April from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act passed by the US Congress and signed by President Donald Trump on 27 March.

After March's shutdowns to curb the spread of the virus, unemployment in the United States shot to levels not seen since the Great Depression. Many jobs returned as parts of the economy reopened, and consumer spending rebounded, thanks in part to the $2.2 trillion stimulus bill.

Now that cash, paid directly to individual Americans and small businesses to pay workers, has dried up.

- Reuters

FACTBOX | Latest on the worldwide spread of coronavirus

Johnson & Johnson said it had temporarily paused its Covid-19 vaccine candidate clinical trials due to an unexplained illness in a study participant, delaying one of the high-profile efforts to contain the pandemic.

AMERICAS

* As US President Donald Trump returned to the campaign trail for the first time since he announced his Covid-19 diagnosis, the top US infectious disease expert said the country faced a "whole lot of trouble" if it did not encourage universal wearing of face masks and avoid mass gatherings.

* Argentina surpassed 900 000 cases of coronavirus on Monday, with strong growth of infections in large populated centers in the interior of the country.

EUROPE

* The number of people being treated in French intensive care units for Covid-19 exceeded 1 500 on Monday for the first time since 27 May, authorities said.

* British Prime Minister Boris Johnson imposed a tiered system of further restrictions on parts of England.

* The Czech government ordered bars, restaurants and clubs closed from Wednesday and shifted schools to distance learning.

ASIA-PACIFIC

* Australia's most populous state said on Tuesday it will ease restrictions despite reporting the biggest one-day jump in new Covid-19 cases in six weeks.

* China's International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, the country's biggest air show, has been postponed because of the pandemic.* South Korea reported 102 new coronavirus cases as of Monday midnight, marking the first triple-digit increase in six days.

* India's total coronavirus cases rose by 55 342 in the last 24 hours to 7.18 million on Tuesday morning, the lowest daily rise since mid-August.

MIDDLE EAST AND AFRICA

* Iran registered a daily record 272 deaths 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.

MEDICAL DEVELOPMENTS

* The Takeda Pharmaceutical Co-led group that is developing a blood plasma treatment for Covid-19 has started manufacturing while the late-stage trial to determine whether it works is ongoing.

- Reuters

Covid-19 wrap | Coronavirus immunity questioned, no party rule in Italy

Here are the latest developments in the coronavirus crisis.

UK unemployment hits 3-year high, as Covid-19 sees nearly 3 million people claim jobless benefits

UK unemployment rose to a three-year high of 4.5% in the three months to August, from 4.1% in July, according to data released by the Office of National Statistics on Tuesday.

Brazil registers 201 coronavirus deaths over 24 hours-Health ministry

Brazil confirmed 201 coronavirus deaths over the last 24 hours and 8 429 new cases, the nation's Health Ministry said on Monday.

The South American country has now registered 5 103 408 total confirmed coronavirus cases, from 5 094 979 on Sunday.

Total deaths rose to 150 689 from 150 488 on Sunday.

- Reuters

UK may have to go further on Covid-19 restrictions, minister says

The British government may have to impose stricter restrictions than it currently has if the second wave of the novel coronavirus accelerates in high risk areas, Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick said on Tuesday.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson introduced a new tiered system of restrictions for England on Monday, with Liverpool and the surrounding Merseyside placed in the highest level, with pubs shut, to curb an acceleration in Covid-19 cases.

"The message that we did deliver to those leaders in Merseyside was that we need to take these steps, we probably even need to go further but that we want to design those steps jointly between ourselves and local government," Jenrick said.

- Reuters

As pandemic rages, Mexicans pray to death 'saint'

Their arms raised toward the sky, worshippers of Mexico's "saint" of death pray before a giant cloaked skeleton asking for protection from the coronavirus and its devastating economic fallout.

The Grim Reaper-like figure, whose devotees include drug cartel members as well as ordinary Mexicans, has been rejected by the Roman Catholic Church as blasphemous.

But with tens of thousands of Mexican lives lost to Covid-19, there is no shortage of followers of "Santa Muerte".

The worship of Santa Muerte is "an adaptation of a harsh world", but heresy for the Catholic Church, said Bernardo Barranco, a sociologist who specialises in religions.

"It's not a religion. It's a cult. You can be Catholic or Evangelical and be a follower," he said.

Some devotees are also believers in the Virgin of Guadalupe, patron saint of Mexico, the world's second-biggest Catholic country.

In 2016, during a visit to Mexico, Pope Francis alluded to the veneration of Santa Muerte when he said he was concerned about people who worship "macabre symbols".

- AFP

Trump tells fans on post-Covid comeback tour: 'I feel so powerful'

Deprived of his beloved campaign trail for 10 days by Covid-19, President Donald Trump took centre stage again Monday in Florida, vowing that he is in "great shape" with 22 days to go until he faces Joe Biden in the election.

Australia's most populous states eases Covid-19 curbs despite cases hitting 6-week high

Australia's most populous state said on Tuesday it would ease restrictions despite reporting the biggest one-day jump in new Covid-19 cases in six weeks.

New South Wales (NSW) said that from 16 October venues that offer outdoor dining will be allowed to have double the number of patrons outside. NSW previously required such venues to ensure four square metres for each patron.

"We know particularly in our state during this pandemic some of the hardest hit industries have been arts and recreation and hospitality," NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet told reporters in Sydney.

- Reuters

India's coronavirus infections rise by 55 342 to 7.18 million 

India's total coronavirus cases rose by 55 342 in the last 24 hours to 7.18 million on Tuesday morning, the lowest daily rise since mid-August, data from the health ministry showed.

Deaths from Covid-19 infections rose by 706 to 109 856, the ministry said.

- Reuters

Germany's confirmed coronavirus cases rise by 4 122 to 329 453 - RKI

The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Germany increased by 4 122 to 329 453, data from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) for infectious diseases showed on Tuesday.

The reported death toll rose by 13 to 9 634, the tally showed.

- Reuters

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Coronavirus morning recap: SA treatment innovation, and strict rules for companies

Cape Town hospitals prove oxygen therapy can improve Covid-19 patients' survival rate; and government has introduced more stringent regulations for workplaces.

LATEST SCIENCE AND RESEARCH

One of the leading effects of Covid-19 is the drop in oxygen levels in the blood, which can severely worsen a patient's condition and lead to the need for a ventilator.

Unfortunately, since resources in the healthcare sector have been constrained during the pandemic, having ample ventilators on hand for Covid-19 patients can be difficult. Requiring a ventilator lowers one's survival rate considerably, and patients coming off the machines have a long recovery process ahead of them.

But a lesser-known treatment used at Tygerberg Hospital in Cape Town and other South African hospitals, has shown great promise in helping to better manage resources and increase Covid-19 patients' mortality rates.

Heated and humidified oxygen is pumped directly into the lungs through the nose at 60 litres per minute, called high-flow nasal oxygen (HFNO) therapy.

#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