LIVE | 1 004 413 coronavirus cases and 26 735 deaths recorded in SA

FACTBOX | New variant alert: Latest on worldwide spread of the coronavirus

A new variant of the coronavirus first seen in Britain was detected in several nations, amplifying worries about its rapid spread, while US President Donald Trump signed into law a pandemic aid and spending package.

WHO chief warns that Covid-19 won't be the world's last pandemic

World Health Organisation Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned that COVID-19 won't be the world's last pandemic while speaking in a video statement on the first International Day of Epidemic Preparedness on Sunday.

Sydney told to watch New Year's Eve fireworks from home

Sydney, renowned for the spectacular New Year's Eve fireworks display over its iconic Opera House and Harbour Bridge, is cracking down on large gatherings on 31 December amid continuing efforts to curb an outbreak of the coronavirus in the city's northern beach suburbs.

A mid-December resurgence of Covid-19 has grown to 125 cases after five new infections were recorded on Monday.

About a quarter of a million people in parts of the area have been told to stay in strict lockdown until 9 January, and the already toned-down plans for New Year's Eve have been further restricted.

- Al Jazeera

Thailand confirms 144 new coronavirus infections

Thailand confirmed 144 new coronavirus cases on Monday, the majority of which were locally transmitted infections, the public health ministry said in a statement.

The new cases include 129 local infections and 15 imported from abroad, the statement said.

Thailand has confirmed a total of 6 285 coronavirus cases and 60 deaths since its first case in late January.

- Reuters

China ramps up virus controls to head off winter wave

Temperature checks, queues for tests and inspections at airports - Chinese authorities have stepped up health checks to snuff out the threat of a coronavirus resurgence.

China, where the virus first emerged around a year ago, largely contained its outbreak, and its economy has roared back to life.

But Beijing is taking few risks with coronavirus cases skyrocketing in many parts of the world and the threat of a new variant experts believe could be more transmissible.

Strict checks have been imposed across neighbourhoods in the capital Beijing, where suspected virus cases have been detected.

Workers in full PPE are spraying boats and airport arrival areas as part of a swift mobilisation to contain potential winter outbreaks.

- AFP

Russia reports 27 787 new coronavirus infections

Russia on Monday reported 27 787 new coronavirus cases in the last 24 hours, including 6 253 in Moscow, pushing the national tally to 3 078 035.

Authorities said 487 people had died overnight, taking the official death toll to 55 265.

- Reuters

Covid-19: MJC calls on Muslims to stop all social gatherings, events due to second wave

The Muslim Judicial Council (MJC) has urged the Muslim community to immediately stop all social gatherings and events because of the second wave of Covid-19 infections.

On Sunday, the MJC held a meeting with a panel of medical professionals on the increase in Covid-19 infections and deaths in South Africa in recent weeks.

In a statement, the MJC said the medical professionals had given advice, which led to the issuing of a number of directives.

FIRST TAKE | One million Covid-19 cases highlight Ramaphosa's dilemma - how will govt fight the second wave?

The National Coronavirus Command Council met on Sunday and an announcement by President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected early this week.

Trump signs pandemic aid and spending bill, averting government shutdown

US President Donald Trump on Sunday signed into law a $2.3 trillion pandemic aid and spending package, restoring unemployment benefits to millions of Americans and averting a federal government shutdown in a crisis of his own making.

FACTBOX | Worldwide coronavirus cases cross 80.39 million, death toll at 1 759 915

More than 80.39 million people have been reported to be infected by the novel coronavirus globally and 1 759 915 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

Germany's confirmed coronavirus cases rise by 10 976 - RKI 

The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Germany increased by 10 976 to 1 651 834, data from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) for infectious diseases showed on Monday.

The reported death toll rose by 348 to 30 126, the tally showed.

According to the RKI, fewer tests and laboratory examinations as well as fewer transmissions of the results by the health authorities are to be expected during the holidays and at the turn of the year.

- Reuters

Brazil sees 344 new Covid-19 deaths, health ministry says

Brazil has registered 344 new Covid-19 deaths, and 18 479 fresh coronavirus cases, the health ministry said on Sunday.

Brazil now has nearly 7.5 million confirmed cases, and a total of 191 139 deaths from the virus since the outbreak began, according to the health ministry figures.

- Reuters

UK reports 30 501 new Covid cases on Sunday

The United Kingdom on Sunday reported 30 501 new Covid-19 cases, government statistics showed, with a further 316 deaths within 28 days of a positive coronavirus test.

The government's coronavirus portal said the figures reflected data from England and Wales but said there was no new data from Northern Ireland and no new deaths data from Scotland owing to the Christmas holidays.

-REUTERS

Putin decides to receive coronavirus vaccine - Kremlin

Russia's president Vladimir Putin will receive the Sputnik V vaccine against the coronavirus, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told a Russian state TV channel on Sunday.

"He said he will be vaccinated, he made this decision and was waiting until all formalities are completed," the spokesman was quoted as saying to Rossiya 1 TV Channel on its website.

Russia launched a voluntary vaccination programme with the Russia-made Sputnik V vaccine earlier in December, starting with the most vulnerable groups in Moscow.

People over the age of 60 may begin to apply for shots on Monday, Moscow mayor Sergei Sobyanin said on his website on Sunday, the day after the Russian health ministry said the vaccine was approved for use by elderly people after a separate trial.

68-year-old Putin said earlier that the Russian vaccine was effective and safe and he saw no reason not to be vaccinated adding that he was waiting until it became available.

Since the start of the coronavirus outbreak in Russia, Putin has mainly worked remotely, held meetings via videolink and limited travel.

He said in August that one of his daughters had taken part in the clinical trial of the vaccine and felt well afterwards.

-REUTERS

Covid-19 pandemic will not be the last: WHO chief

The coronavirus crisis will not be the last pandemic, and attempts to improve human health are "doomed" without tackling climate change and animal welfare, the World Health Organization's chief said.

EXPLAINER | As vaccines are rolled out, questions remain

European countries are following the United States, Britain and a handful of other countries to begin rolling out coronavirus vaccines.

The rapid development and approval of drugs has been hailed the world over, questions remain about the availability, effectiveness and side effects of the jabs.

Covid-19: Positive cases rapidly approaching 1 million, with 26 521 deaths registered

The number of people testing positive for Covid-19 is rapidly approaching 1 million, with 26 521 deaths registered. Health Minister Zweli Mkhize has revealed that 994 911 people have tested positive countrywide. Between 10 to 26 December, 17 934 Covid-19 patients were admitted to hospitals around the country.

SA has recorded 11 552 more coronavirus infections, bringing the total to 994 911.

The number of deaths have increased by 245 to 26 521.

There are 839 194 recoveries.

France confirms first case on its soil of British virus variant

France has confirmed the first case of a new coronavirus variant that recently emerged in Britain, its health ministry said.

The new strain of the virus, which experts fear is more contagious, has prompted more than 50 countries to impose travel restrictions on the UK.

Covid-19: SA records over 14 000 cases for 3rd day in a row, as infections near million mark

South Africa has recorded over 14 000 daily Covid-19 cases for the third day in a row this week, edging the country closer to the one million cumulative cases mark.

On Christmas Day, the country recorded 14 796 new cases, bringing  the cumulative number to 983 359. There were 293 fatalities, which brought the death toll to 26 276, with the Eastern Cape once again recording the highest fatality figures at 115. Recoveries sat at 830 251.

Covid-19 spike: Healthcare unions worried that hospitals won't cope

As South Africa’s Covid-19 cases continue to rise on a daily basis, health unions are worried that the situation will only get worse.

The country recorded over 14 000 daily Covid-19 cases for the third day in a row this week, edging closer to the one million cumulative cases mark.

South Africa has recorded the highest Covid-19 infections in a single day, while deaths have breached 26 000 on Christmas day.

"Regrettably, we report 293 more Covid-19 related deaths: Eastern Cape 115 , Free State 6, Gauteng 23, KwaZulu-Natal 27, Limpopo 10, Mpumalanga 5 and Western Cape 107," Health Minister Zweli Mkhize said in a statement on Friday.

This brings the total to 26 276 deaths.

The number of infections is now on 983 359, after 14 796 new cases were identified.

Our recoveries currently stand at 830 251.

#COVID19 Statistics in SA as at 25 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/slokIM1wpt

— Dr Zweli Mkhize (@DrZweliMkhize) December 25, 2020

Covax: Who will be the first in SA to get the vaccine

Although the country's Covax vaccine rollout plan is still work in progress, Professor Barry Schoub, chairperson of the Ministerial Advisory Committee on vaccines, has outlined the categories of people who will be the first to be inoculated.

"There are roughly four groups of people who should be vaccinated first," he told News24.

• The first group comprises frontline healthcare workers and non-professional health workers.
• The second group comprises people who are aged 75 years and older, and the elderly who live in old age care homes as well as the staff.
• This would be followed by essential workers, defined as people carrying out jobs deemed vital to keep the country afloat.
• Next in line would be prisoners and people who are institutionalised.

"In addition to Covax, there are other bilateral negotiations with vaccine manufacturers," Schoub said, adding that he could not discuss the details thereof.

The latest data showed the infection tally so far rising to 968 563 on Thursday. If the trajectory continues, South Africa would breach the million mark as early as Sunday, a Reuters tally showed.South Africa has recorded 25 983 deaths, the highest figure on the continent.

https://t.co/By0KBr5HQV | Pressure mounts on already stretched health workers as dark cloud of Covid-19 hangs over SA https://t.co/4dkS4abc2U

— News24 (@News24) December 25, 2020

The number of people dying with coronavirus in Italy in the second wave of infections is comparable with the toll recorded in the first, a grim milestone that comes amid fresh lockdown measures.

The Institute for International Political Studies (ISPI) reported on Tuesday that between September 1 and December 22, 33 731 people died with coronavirus.

That compared with 35 376 people from February 21 until August 31 – a period that included the peak of the pandemic in Italy, which has been at the epicentre of Europe’s battle with the virus.

In December, daily death tolls have again been high, between 600 and 800 fatalities every 24 hours.

This morbid reality has reminded many of the worst days of Italy’s pandemic. On December 3, 993 people died with the virus in a day – a record number.

In a bid to stem the crisis, Italians are banned from travelling between regions from December 25 and 26, the Christmas period, to January 1, New Year’s Day.

So why are virus-related deaths rising again?

“Because the local health system had not been strengthened enough,” Carlo Alberto Rossi, director of Milan’s (OMCEO) medical association, told Al Jazeera.

“During the first wave, we warned that certain measures needed to be implemented and these have been done partially or too late.”

He believes the government should have enforced local health authority units to hire more doctors and improved coordination between regional health networks and hospitals.

Rich countries are hoarding vaccines: 51% of doses reserved by 15% of world's population

Rich countries' success in buying up most of the vaccine supply have left the rest of the world "scrambling for supplies" as they try to protect their populations, campaigners say.

Iran says US approved its funds transfer to buy Covid vaccines

Iran has secured an approval from the US to transfer funds for coronavirus vaccines from overseas, the central bank chief has said, as its daily death toll fell to a three-month low.

US will impose Covid-19 screening requirement for UK flights - CDC

The US government will require all airline passengers arriving from the United Kingdom to test negative for Covid-19 within 72 hours of departure starting on Monday amid concerns about a new coronavirus variant that may be more transmissible.

The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said in a statement late on Thursday that all airline passengers arriving from the UK must test negative in order to fly to the United States.

The decision was a turnaround after the Trump administration told US airlines on Tuesday it was not planning to require any testing for arriving UK passengers.

- Reuters

Covid-19: There's no evidence that SA variant is more dangerous than the UK variant - Zweli Mkhize

Health Minister Zweli Mkhize says there is no evidence that the 501.V2 variant of the coronavirus is more transmissible than the variant in the UK.

Hong Kong bans South African flights, imposes 21-day quarantine for visitors

Hong Kong extended a compulsory quarantine by an extra seven days to 21 days for all visitors outside China, effective on Friday, in stepped-up efforts to prevent a new variant of the novel coronavirus from spreading.

Record Covid surge in South Korea despite tough distancing rules

South Korea has reported its largest daily increase in coronavirus infections on Christmas Day as Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun pleaded for vigilance to contain a Covid-19 surge that has worsened hospitalisation and deaths.

The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) reported 1 214 new cases on Friday, the highest daily count recorded, with a large outbreak at a prison in the capital, Seoul.

Some 288 cases were reported at the Dongbu Detention Centre, according to the Yonhap news agency.

- Al Jazeera

FACTBOX | Worldwide coronavirus cases cross 78.85 million, death toll at 1 734 458

More than 78.85 million people have been reported to be infected by the novel coronavirus globally and 1 734 458 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

The number of coronavirus cases has jumped by 14 305 to 968 563.

"Regrettably, we report 326 more Covid-19 related deaths: Eastern Cape 109 , Free State 4, Gauteng 22, KwaZulu-Natal 81 and Western Cape 110. This brings the total deaths to 25 983. We convey our condolences to the loved ones of the departed and thank the health care workers who treated the deceased patients," health minister Zweli Mkhize said.

Recoveries now stand at 822 978.

Covax: Who will be the first in SA to get the vaccine

Healthcare practitioners, the elderly and essential workers will be among the first to get the Covax jab, according to South Africa's top vaccines adviser. | @Adiel_Ismail https://t.co/Z5lmmv0F6k

— News24 (@News24) December 24, 2020

South Africa set to surpass Covid's first wave peak

The rate of coronavirus infections in South Africa will soon surpass the peak hit in the first wave earlier in the year, the health ministry warned on Wednesday, as the country battles a new, faster-spreading variant of the respiratory disease.

Positive cases increased by 14 046, pushing total infections to 954 258, the ministry said.

The positivity rate - or the percentage of all coronavirus tests performed that are actually positive - was at 26%, around double the average rate of infection the country had seen before December, when the virus showed signs of waning.

South Africa's health department on Friday said it identified a new virus mutation, variant 501.V2, saying it was likely behind a recent surge in infections. A number of countries have responded by barring travel to and from South Africa.

Local and World Health Organization (WHO) officials say the variant is different from one identified in Britain, though both carry mutations that make them more transmissible than previously circulating dominant strains.

In a statement announcing the latest infection rates, the Ministry of Health said South Africans would need to "review the current restrictions and consider further measures to ensure that we curb the alarming rate of spread".

"The rate of spread is much faster than the first wave and we will surpass the peak of the first wave in the coming days," the ministry said.

Early in December, President Cyril Ramaphosa tightened Covid-19 rules to curb the resurgence, but said a full lockdown similar the one implemented in March was not an option due to the economic impact.

Reuters

Covid-19 wrap | Vaccine hesitancy stirs in Singapore, UK PM Johnson mulls stricter lockdown

More than 77.57 million people have been reported to be infected by the novel coronavirus globally and 1 709 633 have died, according to a Reuters tally. 

As of yesterday, a cumulative total of 940 212 cases of Covid-19 have been identified, with an increase of 9 501.

339 more Covid-19 related deaths have been reported: Eastern Cape 107, Free State 8, Gauteng 30, Kwa-Zulu Natal 45, Limpopo 7 and Western Cape 142. This brings the total to 25 246 deaths.

A cumulative total of 6 215 728 tests have been conducted with 39 045 tests conducted since the last report.

Our recoveries now stand at 808 241.

Covid-19 fatalities in South Africa is nearing 25 000 as the country is in the midst of a second wave that is being driven by a new variant of the virus.

"Regrettably, today we report 216 Covid-19 related deaths have been reported: Eastern Cape 97, Free State 4, Gauteng 16, KwaZulu-Natal 15 and Western Cape 84," Health Minister Zweli Mhkize said in a statement on Monday night.

The total fatalities is now 24 907.

A cumulative total of 930 711 infections have been identified, with 8 789 cases since the last report.

Recoveries now stand at 796 346.

As of today, the total number of confirmed #COVID19 cases is 930 711, the total number of deaths is 24 907 and the total number of recoveries is 796 346. pic.twitter.com/QOgReX9SXb

— Dr Zweli Mkhize (@DrZweliMkhize) December 21, 2020

ICYMI | In this documentary, News24 looks back at the year that changed people's lives as Covid-19 spread its tentacles around the world. We take you behind the scenes as journalists rallied to tell the story, often in dangerous situations.

First 10 days after leaving hospital are risky for Covid-19 patients, study finds

Covid-19 patients could be readmitted to hospital, even three months after they are discharged.

DOCUMENTARY | Breaking Covid-19: How News24 covered a global pandemic

Covid-19 changed lives around the world after first being detected in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. It arrived on South Africa's shores when a man returning from holiday in Italy became our first confirmed case on 5 March 2020.

Sydney virus cluster grows, border restrictions isolate city

Australia's most populous city Sydney became further isolated from the rest of the country on Sunday after states closed borders and imposed quarantine measures on its residents as a coronavirus cluster in the city grew to around 70.

The neighbouring states of Victoria and Queensland have banned people arriving from Sydney as of Monday.

"If you are from greater Sydney now is not the time to travel to Queensland," Queensland state Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk told a news conference.

South Australia state imposed a 14-day quarantine for Sydney arrivals on Sunday and banned travellers from affected suburbs. The island state of Tasmania took a similar steps on Saturday.

Western Australia state imposed a hard border closure.

- Reuters

Russia reports 28 948 new coronavirus cases, 511 deaths

Russia reported 28 948 new coronavirus cases on Sunday, including 7 263 in Moscow, taking the national toll to 2 848 377.

Authorities also reported 511 deaths in the past 24 hours, pushing the official death toll to 50 858 since the pandemic began.

- Reuters

South Korea sets record Covid-19 cases as prison reports major outbreak

South Korea reported a record 1 097 new coronavirus cases on Sunday, including an outbreak in a Seoul prison that infected 188 as the country's latest wave of Covid-19 worsens.

With daily infections over 1 000 for a fifth consecutive day, some medical experts and politicians criticised the government for being too loose with social distancing rules.

South Korea's aggressive tracing and testing early in the pandemic had made the country a global success story when many nations saw soaring infections, prompting wide lockdowns.

- Reuters

Turkish hospital fire kills 10 Covid-19 patients

At least ten coronavirus patients died on Saturday after an oxygen tank explosion triggered a fire at a hospital in southeastern Turkey, the health ministry said.

The blaze in an intensive care ward of the hospital in Gaziantep broke out when a tank on an artificial respirator exploded.

"We are profoundly saddened by this tragedy," Turkish Health Minister Fahrettin Koca said before a planned visit to the hospital.

All the victims were patients who had been hospitalised with the coronavirus. Other patients affected by the fire were transferred to other hospitals.

- AFP

Republicans, Democrats reach agreement clearing way for virus relief vote - WSJ

Senate Democrats and Republicans have reached an agreement clearing way for virus relief votes, the Wall Street Journal reported.

A vote on the $900 billion package is expected on Sunday, the report said.

- Reuters

CDC issues guidelines on Covid-19 vaccination after allergic reactions

The US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Saturday said it was monitoring reports of allergic reactions to the Covid-19 vaccination and made recommendations on how people with histories of allergies should proceed.

Italy ordered a nationwide lockdown for the holidays amid a surge in coronavirus cases

Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte ordered a lockdown across the country for the upcoming holidays.

Canada surpasses 500 000 Covid-19 cases

Canada surpassed 500 000 coronavirus cases on Saturday, according to official figures, recording a 25% increase in just two weeks.

The country's death toll since the beginning of the pandemic is 14 128, according to regional figures quoted by broadcaster CBC.

As in other countries, the pandemic is spreading fast in Canada, home to 38 million people. It shot up from 400 000 cases to 500 000 in just two weeks.

By comparison, it took three months from the start of the health crisis for Canada to reach 100 000 cases, in June.

- AFP