LIVE | SA's Covid-19 death toll tops 29 000, US marks over 277 000 new cases

Covid-19: Zimbabwe reintroduces 'stiff' national lockdown measures with immediate effect

Harare – Zimbabwe's government on Saturday imposed a national lockdown with immediate effect, following a surge in Covid-19 cases, creating a major problem for most citizens who rely on the informal employment sector.

Only essential services, such as hospitals, pharmacies and supermarkets will remain operational for the next 30 days, putting more pressure on already poverty-stricken families.

The southern African nation is already struggling with a deepening economic crisis, hyperinflation and high unemployment.

Worldwide coronavirus cases cross 84 million, death toll at 1 829 384

More than 84 million people have been reported to be infected by the novel coronavirus globally and 1 829 384 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

US marks over 277 000 Covid cases in 24 hours - a new record

The United States on Saturday saw its highest number yet of coronavirus cases recorded in one day, with more than 277 000 infections.

The hardest-hit country in the world by the pandemic, the United States has marked 20.4 million cases overall, and just under 350 000 deaths.

Infections have been surging in recent months, with top US government scientist Anthony Fauci warning, just days after Christmas, that the worst of the pandemic may be yet to come, driving the country to a "critical point" as holiday travel spreads the virus.

The country has floundered in its efforts to quell Covid-19, with its vaccination programme beset by logistical problems and overstretched hospitals.

More than 4.2 million people in the US have already received their first jabs, with 13 million doses distributed, but that falls well behind the 20 million inoculations that President Donald Trump's administration promised by the end of 2020.

 - AFP

US distributes over 13.07 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines; 4.2 million administered - CDC

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said it had administered 4 225 756 first doses of Covid-19 vaccines in the country as of Saturday morning, and distributed 13 071 925 doses.

The tally of vaccine doses distributed and the number of people who received the first dose are for both Moderna and Pfizer/BioNTech, vaccines as of 09:00 (ET) on Saturday, the agency said.

According to the tally posted on 30 December, the agency had administered 2 794 588 first doses of the vaccines and distributed 12 409 050 doses.

A total of 2 217 025 vaccine doses were distributed for use on long-term care facilities and 282 740 people in the facilities got their first dose, the agency said.

The agency also reported 20 061 818 cases of novel coronavirus, an increase of 168 637 cases from its previous count, and said that the number of deaths had risen by 2 428 to 346 925.

 - REUTERS

Saudi Arabia ends entry ban, keeps some coronavirus restrictions - state news agency

CAIRO – Saudi Arabia said that entry to the kingdom by sea, land and air will be resumed starting Sunday after a ban that lasted two weeks amid fears of a new coronavirus variant, the state news agency reported on Sunday.

A ministry of interior official said that restrictions included asking people coming from countries where the new variant spread, such as the UK, South Africa and any others, to stay at least 14 days out of these countries before entering the kingdom.

 - REUTERS

Brazil reports 15 827 new coronavirus cases, 314 more deaths

BRASILIA – Brazil recorded 15 827 additional confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus in the past 24 hours, along with 314 deaths from Covid-19, the Health Ministry said on Saturday.

Brazil has registered more than 7.7 million cases of the virus since the pandemic began 10 months ago, while the official death toll has risen to 195 725, according to ministry data.

 - REUTERS

South Africa has surpassed 29 000 Covid-19 related deaths on Saturday.

"288 more Covid-19 related deaths have been reported: Eastern Cape 92, Free State 9, Gauteng 39, KwaZulu-Natal 29, Mpumalanga 6, Northern Cape 2 and Western Cape 111. This brings the total deaths to 29 175 deaths," Health Minister Zweli Mhkize said in a statement.

The number of Covid-19 cases stands at 1 088 889 after it climbed by 15 002.

The total recoveries are 897 704, representing a recovery rate of 82.4%

As of today, the total number of confirmed #COVID19 cases is 1 088 889 the total number of deaths is 29 175 and the total number of recoveries is 897 704. pic.twitter.com/mJt1Go519L

— Dr Zweli Mkhize (@DrZweliMkhize) January 2, 2021

Want to know more about #COVID19 vaccine which is intended to provide immunity against the virus? pic.twitter.com/LWozTvzpn0

— Department of Health (@HealthZA) January 2, 2021

There are at least three Covid-19 vaccines that have been approved by reputable health regulatory organisations around the world and many countries have begun rolling out vaccines, but not South Africa. | @GroundUp_News https://t.co/BdUM0SPJmI

— News24 (@News24) January 2, 2021

Covid-19: Health Minister Zweli Mkhize reports 418 more deaths in SA

On the first day of 2021, Health Minister Zweli Mkhize reported that there were 418 more Covid-19-related deaths and 16 726 new cases.

The Western Cape recorded the highest number of deaths at 138, while KwaZulu-Natal recorded 134, and the Eastern Cape and Gauteng each recorded 66 deaths. Six people died in Mpumalanga and eight in the Free State, he added.

This Khayelitsha kayak tour is fighting both Covid-19 and the tide of rubbish it brought

Siyanda Sopangisa operates a unique township tour in Cape Town: 1.5 kilometres, in a kayak, on the border of Khayelitsha. Thanks to Covid-19 restrictions, money from international tourists is drying up.

How Israel got vaccines to 9% of people in less than 2 weeks – far more than any other country

As of Thursday, the nation had administered 800,000 doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, meaning approximately 8.84% of its 9 million residents have gotten their first dose, according to Bloomberg's vaccine tracker. Health providers in Israel are administering doses to about 150,000 people per day. 

The number of Covid-19 deaths in South Africa is edging closer to 29 000 after 418 more fatalities were reported on Friday.

"Regrettably, 418 more Covid-19 related deaths have been reported today: Eastern Cape 66 , Free State 8, Gauteng 66, KwaZulu-Natal 134, Mpumalanga 6, and Western Cape 138," Health Minister Zweli Mhkize said in a statement.

"This brings the total detected deaths to 28 887."

The total number of Covid-19 cases is 1 073 887, with 16 726 new cases identified. This represents a positivity rate of 33.4%.

As of today, the total number of confirmed #COVID19 cases is 1 073 887 the total number of deaths is 28 887 and the total number of recoveries is 887 701. pic.twitter.com/NULudzy8Pf

— Dr Zweli Mkhize (@DrZweliMkhize) January 1, 2021

US records more than 20 million Covid-19 infections

The United States has recorded more than 20 million cases of Covid-19, Johns Hopkins University said on Friday in its real-time tally, as the New Year brought another grim milestone underlining the country's struggle to quell the virus.

The US has so far registered 20 007 149 cases and 346 408 deaths in the pandemic, the Baltimore-based university said, making it the country with by far the highest official number of cases and the highest death toll.

On Wednesday alone, more than 3 900 people died of Covid-19 in the US, a new daily record, and experts believe the worst is yet to come as health care workers brace for a surge in cases and deaths after holiday gatherings.

More than 125 000 people are currently hospitalized with coronavirus - another record - according to the Covid Tracking Project.

The country has begun a mass campaign of vaccinations and nearly 2.8 million people have already received their first jabs, a figure well behind the 20 million inoculations that the administration of President Donald Trump promised by the end of the year.

More than 12 million doses have been distributed nationwide, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, but efforts to vaccinate health workers and vulnerable people have been hampered by logistical problems and overstretched hospitals and clinics.

President-elect Joe Biden, who takes office on January 20, has criticized the troubled vaccine rollout, and this week confirmed that he would invoke the Korean War-era Defense Production Act to force private industry to step up production for the government.

WATCH | Notorious Hillbrow celebrates peaceful New Year's Eve without incident

Residents of the Johannesburg suburb Hillbrow, which in the past was associated with violence and unruliness, mostly spent New Year's Eve indoors as 2020 drew to a close. Gauteng police commissioner Elias Mawela said this was the second successful New Year's Eve operation in Hillbrow.

China just approved its first Covid-19 vaccine as it races to inoculate the world's biggest population

China has granted conditional approval to its first vaccine for general domestic use against Covid-19, though its rollout may be marred by questions over its efficacy and lack of data.

The shot has been developed by state-controlled pharmaceutical firm Sinopharm, which claimed 79% efficacy for the vaccine on Wednesday. That is lower than Western vaccines developed by Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna, which boast efficacy rates of 95% and 94% respectively.

Singapore to block entry to visitors from South Africa

Singapore said on Friday it will stop allowing entry to visitors with a recent travel history to South Africa, citing reports of a potentially more contagious strain of the novel coronavirus circulating in the country.

All long-term pass holders and short-term visitors with travel history to South Africa within the last 14 days will not be allowed entry into the city-state, or transit through it, the health ministry said.

Returning Singapore citizens and permanent residents will be required to undergo a Covid-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test upon arrival at the start of a 14-day quarantine.

The new border restrictions will be in place from January 4.

- Reuters

Latest on worldwide spread of the coronavirus

Several countries welcomed 2021 amid stringent coronavirus restrictions as the world looked to move on from a tumultuous 2020 that saw the pandemic infect and kill millions and companies rush to make vaccines and get emergency approvals.

EUROPE

- The World Health Organization listed Pfizer and BioNTech's Covid-19 vaccine for emergency use, in a move seeking to speed access in the developing world.

- British doctors have said a government decision to delay giving a coronavirus vaccine booster shot to vulnerable patients who have already had a first dose will be distressing and disruptive, their trade union said.

- About 4,000 additional positive tests for Covid-19 in the last two to three days have yet to be formally confirmed in Ireland, meaning the situation is worse than recent record daily figures suggest, a senior health official.

- All travellers entering Norway will have to take a Covid-19 test within 24 hours of arrival from Jan. 2, the country's justice ministry said.

AMERICAS

- A more infections variant of Covid-19 that has swept through the United Kingdom has been identified in Florida, marking the third known US state to identify such a case.

- David Perdue, one of two Republican U.S. senators facing a runoff election in Georgia next week that will determine control of the Senate, is quarantining after coming in close contact with someone who tested positive for the coronavirus.

- Canada will require air travellers aged 5 and up to test negative for Covid-19 before arrival, starting January 7.

- Brazil reported more than 1,000 deaths from the coronavirus for a third day in a row.

ASIA-PACIFIC

- Large crowds took to the streets at midnight in the central Chinese city of Wuhan, celebrating the arrival of 2021 after a year marred by a deadly pandemic that killed thousands there and required the city to be locked down between the end of January and early April.

- Australia welcomed 2021 with subdued celebrations as fresh coronavirus restrictions and border closures at its two most populous states forced families to ditch New Year plans.

MIDDLE EAST AND AFRICA

- Chad has locked down its capital N'djamena for the first time since the outbreak of the pandemic and has declared a dusk to dawn curfew due to a rise in infections.

WHO emergency Covid-19 vaccine listing aims to lift access in poor countries

The World Health Organization on Thursday listed Pfizer and BioNTech's Covid-19 vaccine for emergency use, in a move seeking to speed access in the developing world. The United Nations health agency said it will work with regional partners to tell national health authorities about the two-dose shot and its anticipated benefits.

The WHO established its emergency use listing (EUL) process to help poorer countries without their own regulatory resources quickly approve medicines new diseases like Covid-19, which otherwise could lead to delays.

Chad locks down capital for first time as Covid-19 cases rise

Chad has locked down its capital N'djamena for the first time since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic and has declared a dusk to dawn curfew due to a rise in infections, a decree signed by President Idriss Deby showed on Friday. The West African nation has until now reported a relatively low number of cases compared with other countries in the region, with 2,113 Covid-19 cases since March, and 104 deaths.

BREAKING | SA once again breaks its daily Covid-19 cases record

Health minister Zweli Mkhize has said that the country's Covid-19 infections have increased by 18 000 on Thursday, as the total cases hit 1 057 161. 

The death toll for 2020 is 28 469, amongst those were 436 public health care workers. A total of 43 124 health workers have been infected. 

On Wednesday, the country broke its daily case record by registering more than 17 000 cases. The country has shifted to a tighter lockdown to mitigate the spread of infections. 

President Cyril Ramaphosa is currently lighting candles to commemorate those who died of Covid-19. Watch the ceremony above.

President Cyril Ramaphosa is soon to light candles in memory of people who died of Covid-19

The president will be holding a small ceremony tonight. This comes as the number of Covid-19 cases and deaths ramp up in the country. The government enforced a tighter lockdown this week.

Watch it live in the stream above

BREAKING | SA records highest ever daily Covid-19 infections increase

SA’s new Covid-19 infections have shot up by 17 710 - the country’s highest ever daily increase.

The overall number of cases now sits at 1 039 161, while the death toll is 28 033 after 465 more deaths.

The last highest daily increase came five days ago, when 14 796 were recorded.

This comes just two days after President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the country will shift back into lockdown Level 3. This means the sale of alcohol is banned, and a new curfew has been set between 21:00 and 06:00.

The government has also enforced a ban on most beaches on specific earmarked busy days, and there is a total ban of all gatherings.

There are also several new Covid-19 hotspots across the country.

This comes in the week that the country hit the one million mark for total number of cases.

The country’s healthcare system is taking severe strain, with reports of most hospitals being without bedspace for new patients, and funeral homes being overburdened.

 Recently it was announced that South Africa is battling a new variant of the virus, which is said to possibly be spreading faster and is having a critical effect on patients who do not have comorbidities. This variant has been seen in several other countries.

The public becoming complacent with hygiene and physical distancing, as well as so-called superspreader events - like the post-matric Rage festivals - have been flagged as contributing to the recent spike in infections.

FACTBOX | Vaccination race: Latest on worldwide spread of the coronavirus 

Countries have braced for higher infections, Australia tightened curbs, while the first known US case of a highly infectious coronavirus variant was detected in Colorado.

Aaron Motsoaledi: My understanding is that people will only travel in situations of emergency. We will not accept for people to plead poverty and say they cannot afford tests. We are faced with a situation of war here with Covid-19. All countries require tests/ Covid-19 results. 

Aaron Motsoaledi: No borders have been closed for any countries. The only borders that were closed are the ones that were closed at the beginning of lockdown. Three international airports remain functioning.

Aaron Motsoaledi: Only truck drivers are exempted from tests at borders, however, everyone else entering the country must have test results and other required documentations available at the border.

Aaron Motsoaledi : 259 Health officials will be deployed to ports of entry and an additional 278 community service personnel on contract will  also be deployed. 

Aaron Motsoaledi: Provincial authorities will conduct roadblocks in Limpopo, Free State, KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga. 

Aaron Motsoaledi: Department of Health will deploy additional health officials to ports of entry and those with valid PCR tests will be allowed to proceed into the country. If they fail to present a PCR tests, they will be subjected to a rapid anti-gent test at the port of entry at their own cost.

Motsoaledi: Department of Home Affairs will deploy an extra 160 officials at the busiest land ports of entry to process travellers until 14 January 2021. 

Another 60 immigration law officers and soldiers will be deployed along borderlines where people have the tendency to cross illegally to support the SANDF at identified high risk areas.

They will be there to insist without any fear or favour that anyone who wishes to visit SA uses the correct system of entry.

Motsoaledi: Home Affairs Deputy Minister Njabulo Nzuza has tested positive for Covid-19. He's not displayed any symptoms and is self-isolating at home.

Motsoaledi: We have two objectives, one is to inform members of the public about the plans in place to facilitate smooth movement between neighbouring countries during the next two weeks. 

And to provide information about the ports of entry and particularly the Beitbridge border post. Many more travellers crossed Beitbridge than in other years, statistics reveal. 

Britain must vaccinate two million a week to prevent a third Covid-19 wave, says study  

Britain must vaccinate two million people a week to avoid a third wave of the coronavirus outbreak, a study by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) has concluded.

DA wants National Assembly to reconvene for urgent debate on Covid-19 vaccine

The DA wants the National Assembly to reconvene for an urgent debate on South Africa's Covid-19 vaccination plan before the end of the year.

DA chief whip Natasha Mazzone wrote to National Assembly Speaker Thandi Modise with a request to this effect.

Second Covid-19 wave hits hard in Western Cape, hospital beds scaled up to nearly 800

While the second wave of Covid-19 infections is hitting the Western Cape harder than the first, it appears that the Garden Route is stabilising.

Western Cape Premier Alan Winde, Health MEC Nomafrench Mbombo and head of the provincial health department Keith Cloete briefed the media on Tuesday.

South Africa could have a Covid-19 vaccine as early as April, says Mkhize

South Africa could have a Covid-19 vaccine by April next year.

Health minister Zweli Mkhize said on Tuesday that the government was doing everything it could to ensure that the country received the vaccine by that date.

Winde defends decision to close Cape Town Covid-19 field hospital after criticism

Western Cape Premier Alan Winde and his Health MEC Nomafrench Mbombo have defended the provincial administration's decision to close the field hospital at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC).

On Tuesday, Western Cape legislature's Ad Hoc Committee on Covid-19 was briefed by Winde, Mbombo and head of the provincial health department Keith Cloete on the situational analysis of the pandemic in the province.

Covid-19: Triple tragedy for family as two siblings die after infection at sister's funeral

An Eastern Cape deputy principal and his brother died on the same day from Covid-19-related issues after attending their sister's funeral a few weeks ago.

Nyanga High School deputy principal Makhosandile Mngewu, 53, and his brother Dr Thandukwazi Mngewu, 52, both died on Sunday, after attending a funeral service of their elder sister a few weeks ago, according to the Mngewu family.

Covid-19 deaths: Funeral home running out of coffins converts shipping containers into mortuaries

Leading funeral homes in the Eastern Cape are running out of coffins as funerals are being held every day of the week, as opposed to once a week, due to rising Covid-19 death rate.