LIVE | SA's Covid-19 deaths nearing 23 000 as infections continue to rise

South Africa's coronavirus cases went up by 8 319 on Friday, bringing the total to infections to 845 083.

There are 205 more deaths, taking the tally up to 22 952.

"Regrettably, 205 more Covid-19 related deaths have been reported: Eastern Cape 96, Free State 10, Gauteng 20, KwaZulu-Natal 20, Limpopo 2, Northern Cape 15 and Western Cape 42," said Health Minister Zweli Mhkize.

A total of 5 779 544 tests have been completed with 44 074 new tests conducted since the last report.

Recoveries now stand at 758 373.

#COVID19 Statistics in SA as at 11 December.

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/mM8TAs5R2y

— Dr Zweli Mkhize (@DrZweliMkhize) December 11, 2020

#HealthcareHeroes
We’re in a second wave of #Covid19. Our #healthcareheroes continue to do their best to protect us from the virus. Maggie Mogotsi, a general worker at CH Baragwanath, tells us about her #Covid19 routine. pic.twitter.com/nASEJHnQoI

— Dr Zweli Mkhize (@DrZweliMkhize) December 11, 2020

How and where to get tested for Covid-19 in South Africa

As during the first wave of infection which peaked in July 2020, both government and healthcare practitioners are urging South Africans to get tested if they have reason to suspect they have contracted the coronavirus and, if positive, self-isolate to avoid transmitting the virus. 

More Americans have now died from Covid-19 than the number of US soldiers killed during World War II

According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, the US saw 291,557 battle deaths during WWII. As of Thursday evening, there have been 291,754 Covid-19 deaths in the US, based on data compiled by Johns Hopkins University.

The coronavirus pandemic had killed more Americans than the Vietnam War by late April.

SA to launch digital Covid screening for international travel - here’s how it will work

International travellers entering South Africa will soon be able to complete a digital travel health questionnaire (THQ) before arriving at a point of entry. This electronic screening programme, to be launched on Tuesday 15 December 2020, is aimed at easing congestion at both airports and land entry points.

Covid-19: Cape Town's Muizenberg High School cancels matric ball out of safety concerns

A high school in Cape Town says it is no longer going ahead with its planned matric farewell in the interest of public safety.

Muizenberg High School cancelled their farewell scheduled to take place on 15 December due to the secondary impact that the event could have on the health and safety of the public.

"The school is not going ahead with the event," the school's principal Leonie Jacobsen told News24.

Govt warns about Covid-19 vaccine misinformation amid comments from Mogoeng

Government has warned against a "fake news" narrative as the world searches for vaccines to curb the spread of Covid-19.

Government spokesperson Phumla Williams said government had made a commitment that it will participate in all initiatives seeking a vaccine, adding that government wants to make sure when a vaccine arrives, South Africa benefits from it.

God must destroy 'mark of the beast' Covid-19 vaccines - Mogoeng defends his controversial prayer

Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng has defended his controversial prayer that any Covid-19 vaccine that was "of the devil" be destroyed.

An irate Mogoeng said he didn't follow trends on Twitter.

"I honestly pay very little attention to the media. I don't know if people honestly misunderstood what I said, or deliberately misunderstood what I said."

Covid-19 wrap | US experts vote to approve vaccine, Singapore gets green light for saliva testing

- US experts voted on Thursday to recommend granting emergency approval for Pfizer-BioNTech's Covid-19 vaccine.

- Singapore has approved Advanced MedTech Holdings' Covid-19 kit for use in testing saliva from deep within the throat.

- The head of the EU drug regulator said the agency's work on assessing Covid-19 vaccines had not been affected by a cyber attack.

SA companies may require staff to be vaccinated before returning to work – but it’s complicated

Businesses exploring mandatory vaccination policies to ensure the health and safety of their workforces will need to tread carefully: although employers have an obligation to ensure a safe workspace, employees have the right to security and control over their bodies – and that tension could end up in the Constitutional Court.

Covid-19: Eastern Cape taking strain, but Mabuyane says another hard lockdown is 'not an option'

The Eastern Cape has the highest number of Covid-19 fatalities in the country, but placing it under a hard lockdown is not an option.

Such a lockdown would destroy the economy again, according to Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane, who was responding on Twitter to a call for the Eastern Cape to be placed on Level 5 lockdown.

South African pharma regulator to fast track vaccine applications         

South Africa intends to fast track regulatory approval for Covid-19 vaccines and expects the first applications within a fortnight, pharmaceutical regulator SAHPRA told Reuters, as the country faces a second wave of infections.

South Africa is the continent's hardest-hit country with more than 828 000 confirmed coronavirus cases and over 22 000 deaths.

Health Minister Zweli Mkhize said on Wednesday that four of the country's nine provinces were driving a resurgence in cases. The government hopes to receive its first vaccines from the COVAX global vaccine distribution scheme in the second quarter of next year.

"SAHPRA will prioritise all Covid-19 applications and will apply an expedited approach to health products, including vaccines," said Yuven Gounden, spokesperson for the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority.

The expedited method will include a "rolling review approach" where vaccine candidate evaluation is done as data becomes available, he added.

The regulator will rely on guidance from the World Health Organisation and work done by international counterparts, such as European and US pharmaceutical regulators, to avoid repeating work already done that could delay approvals.

"We expect the first vaccine applications in the next week or two," Gounden said.

Formed in 2018, SAHPRA is working to reduce a backlog of approvals for medicines inherited from its predecessor, the Medicines Control Council.

Reuters

Covid-19 wrap | Virus scare aboard Singapore cruise a false alarm, Canada approves first vaccine

- A passenger who tested positive for Covid-19 aboard a Royal Caribbean cruise from Singapore has been found not to have the virus.

- Canada approved its first Covid-19 vaccine and said initial shots will be delivered and administered across the country starting next week.

- American regulators were due to meet Thursday to assess the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine for emergency approval.

Solved: SA company says it can keep Pfizer’s vaccine cold for 30 days without electricity

A South African company says it has the solution to a major headache around Pfizer's coronavirus vaccine: keeping it cold.

The Pfizer shot has to be kept ultra-cold, which means airlines have had to be granted special permission to use large quantities of dry ice, while local companies with refrigerated transport capacity try to figure out how to get cold payloads to rural reaches.

Covid R350 grants: Millions rejected, but only 10 people are dealing with all the appeals

The Minister of Social Development, Lindiwe Zulu, recently detailed the depth of understaffing at Sassa, revealing that there was no dedicated team assigned to handle the appeal process.

More than 2.5 million applications for the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant are rejected every month, with one in every three claimants failing to meet the fund’s stringent requirements.

US Covid deaths exceed 3 000 in 24 hours: Johns Hopkins            

The United States on Wednesday registered more than 3 000 deaths from Covid-19 in 24 hours, according to the Johns Hopkins University tally - the highest daily toll since April.

American authorities warned a spike in deaths was coming after millions traveled around the country for the Thanksgiving holiday last month, ignoring pleas to stay home to slow the spread of the virus.

As of 00:30, the country had recorded a total of 289 188 Covid deaths, up by 3 071 in 24 hours. It also registered nearly 220,481 new cases.

California, where some 33 million people were back under lockdown this week, saw more than 30,000 cases on Wednesday - the highest 24-hour tally in a US state, according to the Covid Tracking Project.

The number of virus patients hospitalised in the US continues to break records, hitting 106 000 on Wednesday.

Over the past two weeks the US has exceeded 2 000 Covid-related deaths per day several times, rivalling tolls the worst-hit nation in the world saw in the early days of the pandemic.

Faced with massive and uncontrolled spread of the virus, American authorities have put their hopes in halting its spread on a vaccine.

US experts meet Thursday to examine Pfizer-BioNTech's vaccine, which could be given emergency authorisation in the coming days. Some 15 million people have contracted Covid-19 in the US since the start of the pandemic.

AFP

Coronavirus morning recap: SA's second wave confirmed, and latest on vaccines

The exact role children play in transmitting the new coronavirus is still being investigated by scientists worldwide.

However, current evidence suggests that, if infected, children are less severely affected by Covid-19 (the disease caused by SARS-CoV-2) compared to adults, and are therefore less likely to be hospitalised.

A small discrepancy with the number of new Covid-19 infections announced by Minister Mkhize during his address compared to the figure issued in his daily statement this evening pic.twitter.com/C5ggjHKOo0

— Adiel Ismail (@Adiel_Ismail) December 9, 2020

In the earlier days when change of behaviour was asked from South Africans, people were loyal and wore masks, kept distancing. It made possible for the infections to recede.

Complacency will not help us, says Mkhize. He encourages people to wear masks, sanitise and keep distance.

We should take plans and proposals from municipalities and local governments and table them to Cabinet and NCCC, where decisions are made, says Mkhize on a possible stricter lockdown.

The Cabinet should deliberate and the president will give and address.

There has been a request made for all provinces to give suggestions on what needs to be done as the festive season is approaching.

We now need to understand that we must enjoy with responsibility and restraints.

135 deaths have been reported, says Mkhize.

The total number of deaths is now 22 574.

Recoveries are now at 91.5%.

If this trajectory continues it will put a strain on the health facilities, says Mkhize.

We must expect faster rising numbers with higher peak compared to the first peak.

The age group of 15-19 is the highest group of Covid-19 infections, says Mkhize.

Since the end of September most of the numbers have come down but have now increased to higher than 2000.

Today SA recorded 6 079 coronavirus cases.

The past week there has been an increase in mainly the Eastern Cape and Western Cape but the numbers are increasing to more provinces.

30% of positive cases are from the Western Cape.

Trump says it's 'terrific' so many Americans had Covid because it 'is a very powerful vaccine in itself'

President Trump has said that it is "terrific" that so many Americans have caught the coronavirus because being infected is "a powerful vaccine in itself".

"And I hear we're close to 15% [of Americans], I'm hearing that, and that's terrific, that's a very powerful vaccine in itself."

Rich countries hoarding Covid vaccines, leaving poorer nations to struggle with outbreaks - campaigners

Rich countries are hoarding doses of coronavirus vaccines, leaving poorer nations to struggle with protecting their populations, campaigners have warned.

The People's Vaccine Alliance, a network made up of charities like Amnesty International and Oxfam, said that nearly 70 countries will only be able to vaccine one in 10 of their people, while the world's richest countries "have enough to vaccinate their entire populations nearly 3 TIMES OVER."

Covid-19 wrap | Passengers confined to cabins on Singapore cruise, US tops 15 million cases

US coronavirus cases crossed the 15 million mark on Tuesday as regulators moved a step closer to approving a Covid-19 vaccine and Britain started inoculating people, offering hope of slowing a pandemic that killed 15 000 Americans in the last week alone.

Record cases in at least three states - Arizona, Alabama and Ohio - pushed the cumulative case load to over 15 million, according to a Reuters tally of state and county data. With the virus showing no sign of abating, leading health officials are once again sounding the alarm of further spread when people gather for the year-end holidays.

Gauteng health department tracing 1 300 matrics who attended Rage event in KwaZulu-Natal

The Gauteng Department of Health has prioritised the contact tracing of students in the province who recently attended the Ballito Rage Festival in KwaZulu-Natal.

On Tuesday, the department confirmed that more than 1 300 students from Gauteng took part in the much-publicised super-spreader event.

Several participants tested positive for Covid-19.

The Pfizer and AstraZeneca Covid-19 shots will be combined in a 'mix and match' trial

The UK is planning to combine the Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines in trials next year to see if both shots together produce a stronger immune response than giving them individually.

Patients who participate in January's "mix and match" trial - which will begin when AstraZeneca and Oxford's vaccine is approved, will receive one dose of the Pfizer shot and another of the Oxford shot.

Covid-19 wrap | Germany may need tougher curbs before Christmas, Brazil to offer vaccine at no cost

- Britain is confident that the next batch of the Pfizer vaccine will be delivered next week, said its health minister Matt Hancock.

- A man has been charged with exploiting the coronavirus pandemic by defrauding people seeking companionship into buying puppies that were never delivered.

- Germany might tighten its restrictions to curb the spread of the coronavirus, as the country struggles to bring down the number of new infections.

Britain is confident that the next batch of the Pfizer vaccine will be delivered next week, said its health minister Matt Hancock, after Margaret Keenan became the first Briton to be vaccinated on Tuesday.

The 'best early birthday present I could wish for' - UK granny, 90, who got Covid-19 vaccine

A 90-year-old British grandmother of four has become the first person in the West to receive a Covid-19 vaccine outside clinical trials.

On Tuesday, the UK became the first Western nation to begin administering a vaccine for the novel coronavirus that causes the disease known as Covid-19.

At 6:31 a.m. local time, Margaret Keenan was given her first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine from Pfizer and BioNTech at University Hospital in Coventry.

Here's how the top 3 coronavirus vaccines compare when it comes to efficacy, cost, and more

As the race for a safe and effective Covid-19 vaccine continues, three candidates have become frontrunners: one from Pfizer and BioNTech, another from Moderna, and another from AstraZeneca and Oxford University.

But each of these candidates has important differences, with widespread implications for their distribution and use. Take a look at Business Insider's chart below to compare.

Another 3 313 Covid-19 cases confirmed after fraught weekend

Another 3 313 Covid-19 cases were reported by the Department of Health on Monday after a fraught weekend when it emerged a cluster was linked to the annual post-matric Rage festival held in Ballito, KwaZulu-Natal.

Forty-three more Covid-19-related deaths were also reported.

Japan announces $708bn in fresh stimulus as Covid-19 cases rise

Japan will compile a fresh economic stimulus package worth $708bn, Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said on Tuesday, signalling his resolve to pull the country out of its coronavirus crisis-induced slump.

The new stimulus package will include fiscal spending worth around $384.2bn, Suga said in a meeting with ruling party executives.

The government is set to finalise the stimulus package later on Tuesday, which would follow a combined $2.2 trillion from two previous packages that focused on dealing with the immediate strain on households and business.

The new economic measures would help push “new economic growth,” Suga said at the meeting.

The package is likely to include subsidies and incentives to prod companies to boost green investment and spending on digitalisation, an area Suga has laid out as his key policy priorities.

- Aljazeera