LIVE | SA's Covid-19 infections rise by 21 606, with 399 new deaths

As of today, the cumulative total of Covid-19 cases identified in South Africa is 1 214 176, an increase of 21 606.

A further 399 Covid-19 related deaths have been recorded: Eastern Cape 85, Free State 11, Gauteng 69, Kwa-Zulu Natal 96, Limpopo 5, Mpumalanga 15, Northern Cape 12 and Western Cape 106 . This brings the total deaths to 32 824.

Our recoveries now stand at 956 712, representing a recovery rate of 78,9%.

A cumulative total of 7 120 847 tests have been completed with 77 167 tests conducted since the last report.

Here are the latest developments in the coronavirus crisis worldwide:

China tightens restrictions

Two Chinese cities south of Beijing further tighten virus restrictions Saturday, issuing week-long stay-at-home orders to residents as authorities race to stamp out a resurgence in infections ahead of the Lunar New Year next month.

Australia's 3rd city enters lockdown

Australia's third-largest city of Brisbane starts its first day of a snap lockdown Saturday, with officials elsewhere on high alert over the emergence of more contagious strains of Covid-19.

Burundi to close borders 

Burundi is to close its land and lakeside borders from Monday and impose a seven-day quarantine on travellers arriving by plane, after a rise in cases.

France against matches with UK teams 

The French government recommends clubs postpone European Cup matches with British teams due to the new Covid-19 variant, in a statement sent to AFP Saturday, raising questions over this year's Six Nations rugby tournament.

France to extend curfew restrictions 

France is to extend its longer overnight curfew restrictions to eight more departments, Prime Minister Jean Castex says Saturday, despite opposition in several cities.

Record daily deaths in Britain

Britain reports a record 1,325 coronavirus deaths over a 24-hour period, as a surge in cases piles pressure on overstretched health services, forcing London to declare a major incident.

Record daily cases in US

The United States hits a new record for coronavirus cases Friday, notching nearly 290,000 in a span of 24 hours, according to a real-time tally by Johns Hopkins University. The country, the hardest-hit in the world by the Covid-19 pandemic, also records 3,676 virus deaths in the same day, the university reports.

Vaccine works on variants

German company BioNTech says a preliminary study shows its vaccine works against strains uncovered in Britain and South Africa.

US logs record virus caseload as millions in Asia enter new lockdowns

The United States logged a record new daily virus caseload as Joe Biden slammed the Trump administration's vaccine roll-out as a "travesty" and millions in Asia woke up to new lockdowns.

Almost 1.9 million people have now died from the virus, with new variants sending cases soaring and prompting the re-introduction of curbs on movement even as some countries begin mass inoculation campaigns.

Almost 290 000 new cases were reported in the US within 24 hours on Friday according to Johns Hopkins University, a day after the world's worst-hit country recorded a daily record of nearly 4 000 deaths.

"Vaccines give us hope, but the roll-out has been a travesty," Biden told reporters, warning distribution of the vaccine would be "the greatest operational challenge we will ever face as a nation."

- AFP

Russia reports 23 309 new coronavirus cases, 470 deaths

Russia on Saturday reported 23 309 new coronavirus cases over the previous 24 hours, including 4 900 in Moscow, taking the national tally to 3 379 103.

Authorities said 470 people had died, taking Russia's official death toll to 61 381.

- Reuters

South Africa and Mozambique agree to ease congestion at the border

South Africa and Mozambique have agreed on measures to ease long queues at the Lebombo border post between the two countries after a week of congestion created a possible health crisis and resulted in millions of rand in lost revenue.

76% of hospitalised Covid-19 patients still have at least one symptom 6 months later, a study found

Tens of millions of people have covered from the coronavirus so far worldwide. But questions linger about what recovery really means.

China to provide Covid-19 vaccines free of charge - government official

China will provide Covid-19 vaccines free of charge once they become available to general public, government authorities said on Saturday.

Sinovac, AstraZeneca seek vaccine approval in Brazil

The manufacturers of two Covid-19 vaccines developed by Chinese pharmaceutical firm Sinovac and Oxford-AstraZeneca filed the first applications Friday for regulatory approval in hard-hit Brazil, officials said.

Federal health regulator Anvisa now has 10 days to respond to the applications, though it said that could include asking the sponsors for more information.

One application was submitted by the Butantan Institute, a public health center in Sao Paulo that is working with Sinovac to test and produce its CoronaVac vaccine.

The other was from the Fiocruz Foundation, which is based in Rio de Janeiro and is working with the University of Oxford and its partner, the British-Swedish pharmaceutical firm AstraZeneca, in a similar partnership.

- AFP

SA's latest Covid-19 numbers

SA once again breaks its record for new daily infections, after 21 980 new cases. The total is at 1 192 570. 

The death toll is at 32 425, after 616 new fatalities. 

ICYMI | Covid-19 story of the day: Ramaphosa declares virus priority number one for 2021

Cyril Ramaphosa said priority one for 2021 is Covid-19. He was speaking at an address during the ANC's 109th birthday celebration.

"It threatens our economy. SA is in the midst of a second wave that could prove deadlier than the first. We have to intensify our efforts to promote responsible behaviour such as physical distancing, sanitation, wearing masks."

He added the government will continue bolstering healthcare efforts, including test screening. He says the government will embark on a mass vaccination programme. This programme will, initially, prioritise frontline workers, like healthcare workers, teachers, police officers, the elderly and those with comorbidities.

Ramaphosa also slammed purveyors of "unfounded conspiracy theories" circulating about the virus and vaccines. "We must continue to work together as a united nation to confront the coronavirus threat."

Covid-19 wrap: UK bans travel from 11 African countries, record deaths in US, Sinovac vaccine declared halaal

Pfizer Inc and BioNTech's Covid-19 vaccine appeared to work against a key mutation in the highly transmissible new variants of the coronavirus discovered in Britain and South Africa, according to a laboratory study conducted by the US drugmaker.

The study by Pfizer and scientists from the University of Texas Medical Branch, which has not yet been peer-reviewed, indicated the vaccine was effective in neutralising virus with the so-called N501Y mutation of the spike protein.

UK extends SA travel ban, shuts borders to 11 more African countries and closes resident 'loophole'

The UK has decided to extend a travel ban on all visitors departing from or travelling through South Africa as part of its plan to curb the current Covid-19 resurgence. The initial suspension, announced on 23 December 2020, will last until 23 January 2021 when it will be reviewed according to both the UK and South Africa’s caseload.

Ireland reopens to SA travel – but you must still isolate for two weeks

Ireland will reopen its borders to visitors from South Africa and the United Kingdom on Saturday, 9 January. The move comes less than a month after Ireland imposed a travel ban due to the discovery of new coronavirus variants in both countries.

Early study suggests Pfizer vaccine may work against key Covid-19 mutation in SA, UK variant

The Covid-19 vaccine from pharmaceutical companies Pfizer and BioNTech looks to be effective against 16 different mutations of the coronavirus, according to a study that has not yet undergone peer review. 

Pfizer Inc and BioNTech’s Covid-19 vaccine appeared to work against a key mutation in the highly transmissible new variants of the coronavirus discovered in the UK and South Africa, according to a laboratory study conducted by the US drugmaker.

New Covid-19 numbers

SA has recorded 20 999 new cases, taking the total number to 1 170 590.

The death toll has jumped by 441, taking it to 31 809.

This comes as Health Minister Zweli Mkhize has announced that South Africa will receive one million doses of a Covid-19 vaccine from the Serum Institute of India this month.

Mkhize made the announcement in his closing remarks during a briefing to Parliament's Health Portfolio Committee on Thursday.

The country recently enforced a stronger lockdown to deal with the rising cases, and there have been reports that the health system is under severe strain.

"We will be receiving the first one million doses of vaccine in January and another 500 000 in February from the Serum Institute of India. As recently as [Wednesday], our teams at the Department of Health and the South African Healthcare Products Regulatory Authority (Sahpra) were finetuning and aligning all the regulations,” Mkhize said.

And, Aspen Pharmacare could start production of Johnson & Johnson (J&J) Covid-19 vaccines in South Africa by late March or early April if all approvals are in place, a senior company executive told Reuters.

The health ministry said that vaccine negotiations with J&J were at an advanced stage and that "developments will be announced soon".

All the vaccines produced will be exported to J&J and will be a part of its global supply inventory, Stavros Nicolaou, Group Senior Executive, Strategic Trade at Aspen said.

The government is in talks with J&J in an effort to secure some of this product for its own consumption. J&J is in the final phase of its clinical trials and is likely to announce results by the end of January, Nicolaou added.

Meanwhile, the government’s National Coronavirus Command Council has resolved, after a meeting on Wednesday, not to enforce a hard lockdown in SA, at least for now.

BREAKING | David Mahlobo positive for Covid-19

The deputy minister for water and sanitation, David Mahlobo, has tested positive for Covvid-19.

A statement said he remains "in good spirits" and is in self-isolation at home. 

Whoever he was in contact with is also in isolation.

Mass vaccination centres and a track-and-trace system: Here’s what’s new on SA’s vaccine plan

South Africa has secured a million does of coronavirus vaccine due to arrive in January, and another 500,000 due in February, the government announced on Thursday, paving the way for the first inoculations outside of medical trials.

Also on Thursday, health minister Zweli Mkhize gave Parliament a first detailed report on the current plans to vaccinate the broader public.

Health Minister Zweli Mkhize has announced that South Africa will be receiving 1 million doses of a Covid-19 vaccine from the Serum Institute of India in this month.

Mkhize made the announcement in his closing remarks during a briefing to Parliament’s Health Portfolio Committee on Thursday.

“We will be receiving the first 1 million doses of vaccine in January and another 500 000 in February from the Serum Institute of India.

As recently as yesterday, our teams at the department of health and SAPRAH were fine tuning and aligning all the regulations, processes to ensure that there are no unnecessary delays or regulatory impediments to activate this roll-out. We are all happy that the Serum Institute of India and AstraZenca vaccine has already been approved by various regulators and is being rolled out. SPARA is applying reliance on that regulatory framework,” he said.

Mkhize assures members of the public that government is on course and the matter of availability of vaccines is being handled and vaccines will be available in stages. At the end of the day, SA is focused on the best way to deal with the situation.

Mkhize: To deal with the pandemic, the only protection is through vaccination. In terms of the department’s calculation, we need 67-70% of the population to be immunised to break the cycle of transmission - what is called the herd immunity.

Mkhize: There has been a huge demand on beds, oxygen & additional staff and the health department has asked for a reactivation of beds that have been decommissioned. In the EC, WC and KZN and GP the number of patients being admitted has surpassed the first wave figures.

Covid-19: South Africa records 844 more deaths and 21 832 new cases in 'grim milestone'

Health Minister Zweli Mkhize said 844 more people have died from Covid-19 by Wednesday.

"Today we have reached a grim milestone as we breach the 20 000 mark for new cases identified in 24 hours," Mkhize said in an uncharacteristically late update on the situation.

Covid-19 forces cancellation of WP v Sharks Currie Cup match

Saturday's final round Currie Cup fixture between Western Province and the Sharks has been cancelled in line with Covid-19 protocols.

The decision was made after a number of positive Covid-19 tests in the Sharks camp.SA Rugby confirmed in a statement that the match will be declared a draw, with both teams receiving two log points apiece.

Covid-19 vaccine rollout: SACP urges Ramaphosa to step up, crackdown on corruption, put people over profit

The ANC-led alliance political council is due to meet on Wednesday, the same day President Cyril Ramaphosa called a National Coronavirus Command Council (NCCC) meeting. 

The South African Communist Party (SACP) deputy secretary Solly Mapaila told the media that the vaccine rollout and acquisition would be discussed at the meeting.

Universities: 'No chance' of face-to-face classes in first quarter of 2021

As a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, universities are grappling with how to accommodate students for the 2021 academic year. Last year, teaching and learning had to be done online - and it seems that might be the case again for 2021. 

SA Covid-19 variant appears to evade antibody drugs, which is 'very concerning' - ex-FDA chief

Dr. Scott Gottlieb, the former head of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), has warned that the South African coronavirus variant may evade antibody drugs that treat Covid-19.

Speaking on CNBC on Wednesday, he said that early evidence from Seattle-based Bloom Lab, which hasn't been peer-reviewed, suggested that the South Africa variant can partially escape antibodies that fight coronavirus.

Banning tobacco was fair with the Covid-19 risk unknown, govt says – which is still true

It was fair for the government to have imposed a total ban on the sale of tobacco products during South Africa's hard lockdown, under the circumstances prevailing at the time, the state attorney argues in a new legal filing – describing circumstances that currently hold.

Covid-19 claims 'sport unifier' Mluleki George

Mluleki George, regarded as a unifying figure in sport, has died.

This came after the deaths of Athletics SA's Leonard Chuene and former Kaizer Chiefs captain Ryder Mofokeng.

George was also a deputy defence minister.

SA's latest Covid-19 numbers

The number of cases sits at 1 127 759, after 14 410 new infections. 

The death toll is now 30 524 after 513 new deaths.

ICYMI | Today’s top Covid-19 story: WHO throws weight behind Pfizer shot

Covid-19 patients should take two doses of the Pfizer and BioNTech vaccine within a period of 21-28 days, the World Health Organisation said on Tuesday as many countries grappled with a more highly infectious variant.

"We deliberated and came out with the following recommendation: two 2 doses of this vaccine within 21-28 days," Alejandro Cravioto, chairman of WHO's Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunisation (SAGE), told an online news briefing.

He said SAGE did not recommend the Pfizer jab for travellers unless they were in a very high-risk group due to the very limited supply of anti-Covid drugs at present.

Meanwhile, the WHO's technical chief on Covid-19, Maria Van Kerkhove, said there is no indication that the coronavirus variant identified in South Africa is more transmissible than the one spreading fast in Britain.

No, disease outbreaks - including Covid-19 - are not caused by 3G, 4G or 5G

A message shared on WhatsApp since April suggests a link between the introduction of wireless network technologies and outbreaks of diseases.

It says that in 2003, when 3G was introduced to the world, there was an outbreak of SARS, or severe acute respiratory syndrome. In 2009, 4G was introduced and there was a swine flu outbreak, and in 2020, when 5G was introduced, the world suffered a coronavirus outbreak.

Ramaphosa calls urgent meeting of National Coronavirus Command Council as death toll rises

Meetings of the NCCC are preceded by a meeting by the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NatJoints), which consist of the officials and operators who monitor the situation with relation to Covid-19 on the ground. 

Decisions taken by the NCCC are tabled in a Cabinet meeting, where these are deliberated on before being announced by Ramaphosa in a televised address to the nation.

Covid-19 wrap: Over 85m cases worldwide, Britain locks down and new variant found in New York, Paris

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said his state has found its first case of the more contagious, "UK" strain of the coronavirus, raising concerns about threats to hospital capacity should it spread rapidly in the state.

France promises faster vaccine rollout after criticism

The French government, under pressure for lagging behind EU neighbours in rolling out Covid vaccinations, promised on Tuesday to dispense jabs much more quickly and catch up.

Health Minister Olivier Veran said more than 2 000 people had been vaccinated on Monday and that the "cruising speed of vaccinations will catch up with our neighbours in the coming days".

The French campaign had rolled out just over 500 doses as of 1 January, with critics calling that figure "a scandal" compared with the 200 000 people immunised in Germany in a similar timeframe, after the EU-wide rollout began a week ago.

French health authorities on Monday reported 4 022 new coronavirus cases confirmed in the previous 24 hours, taking the total to 2.66 million.

French deaths from Covid totaled 65 415, they said, after 380 new deaths were recorded.

- AFP

By mid December, 47% of South Africans said they'd refuse a coronavirus jab – up sharply from Oct

South Africa plans to vaccinate 67% of the population – some 38 million citizens – against the coronavirus before the end of 2021. But the latest global survey shows that only 53% of South Africans would gladly accept the Covid-19 jab as of mid-December.

Like the virus itself, perceptions around the pandemic, containment measures and, ultimately, the administering of a vaccine are constantly evolving.

'Lunacy of the highest order': ANC KZN summons councillor over Covid-19 misinformation voicenote

The ANC in KwaZulu-Natal has condemned a voicenote from one of its councillors, Sfiso Mngadi, in which he shared conspiracy theories about links between 5G networks and Covid-19 and suggested that the eThekwini council consider disconnecting 5G towers.

Worldwide coronavirus cases cross 85.23 million, death toll at 1 847 660

More than 85.23 million people have been reported to be infected by the novel coronavirus globally and 1 847 660 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

BREAKING | SA’s Covid-19 death toll breaks 30 000 mark

SA has registered 434 new Covid-19 fatalities, taking the death toll to 30 011.

The number of new infections is 12 601. The total number of cases is at 1 113 349.

The recovery rate is at 81.9%, with 911 573 having recovered.

The country has spent the festive season under a tighter lockdown than has been seen in the past few months, with the sale of alcohol is banned, and a new curfew set between 21:00 and 06:00.

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

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 government on Sunday night announced a three-phase vaccine plan, and aims to vaccinate 67% of the population by the end of the year.

Covid-19 wrap: Global cases cross 84.67m, Trump claims rejected and Japan mulls state of emergency

More than 84.67 million people have been reported to be infected by the novel coronavirus globally and 1 838 960 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.

Zimbabwe’s lockdown – with 18:00 to 06:00 curfew – is far harsher than South Africa’s

Almost half of Zimbabwe’s cumulative Covid-19 caseload was recorded during December, with new cases growing by more than 10% in the last week of 2020. Total cases recorded since the start of the outbreak now exceed 14,000 and at least 369 Zimbabweans have succumbed to the virus.