Category: COVID-19 Corona Virus

Eastern Cape Premier Lubabalo Oscar Mabuyane is currently isolating at home after contracting the Coronavirus.

According to his office, Mabuyane took the test after showing flu-like symptoms.

“When his results came back positive, Premier Mabuyane started informing his family members, staff in his office, and some of the people he had met with recently about his test results,” the statement read today.

The Premier is encouraging everyone who has had contact with him in the past seven days to test for COVID-19.

The Premier will continue his official duties with his office, Members of the Executive Council, local leadership, national government and other stakeholders from home.

“The provincial government wishes Premier Mabuyane a speedy recovery as he isolates at home and we will support him through his recovery process,” the provincial government said.

All events and programmes that he was due to attend have since been postponed for now.

Meanwhile, President Cyril Ramaphosa said government was looking into the situation in the Eastern Cape, which is showing signs of resurgence after recording 50% more cases than the previous week.

The province’s total number of new cases in the last 14 days also peaked by 145% than the previous 14 days.

The President said the massive spikes have been reported in the Nelson Mandela Metro and the Sarah Baartman District, while the province has noted an upward increase in hospital admissions.

“With many people moving between the Eastern Cape and other provinces – particularly the Western Cape – it is a matter of time before this surge spreads to other parts of the country,” President Ramaphosa said during his address on Wednesday.

He has urged the public to adopt measures to contain the rise in infections.

The South African Medical Association (SAMA) has welcomed President Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement of the further easing of COVID-19 restrictions.

Chairperson of the SAMA, Dr Angelique Coetzee, also echoed the President’s sentiments that everything must be done to prevent a resurgence of infections.

“The easing of restrictions is good news for the economy and we share the President’s view that the country is shifting from relief to recovery.

“As medical professionals we also want to reiterate the president’s message that the Coronavirus pandemic is not yet over, and that measures to prevent the spread of the disease must still be strictly adhered to,” said Dr Coetzee.

The association’s comments follow on President Cyril Rampahosa’s address to the nation on Wednesday night.

In the address on the country’s COVID-19 status, the President announced the amendment of alert level 1 regulations to restore the normal trading hours for the sale of alcohol at retail outlets.

Dr Coetzee said it is vital that citizens understand that attending gatherings or visiting places such as shebeens and taverns where people do not wear masks carries a risk and should be avoided.

She said the concession to allow for normal liquor sales is a good move and may ease the need for people to visit these outlets, specifically at weekends.

Dr Coetzee said that while the spread of the virus has declined over the past two months, this should not be seen as an eradication of the virus from society.

“Our numbers may look good and this is a promising development, but we must remain alert and continue to wear masks over our noses and mouths, practice regular hand washing and sanitising, and continue with physical distancing.

“We cannot allow ourselves to be fooled into thinking everything has been dealt with and that we can go on as before March 26,” she said.

SAMA is of the view that South Africa is now better prepared to deal with the outbreak than before.

It said the easing of international travel restrictions can be managed successfully by utilising rapid tests at points of entry to the country and that, essentially, this too is a good move particularly as it will provide a much-needed financial shot in the arm for the local tourism sector.

“Ultimately the easing of the restrictions will benefit our economy and people negatively affected by the pandemic.

“Given that we have made significant progress from a medical point of view in dealing with infections we support the easing of the restrictions as we believe there is more to gain from doing this than from keeping them in place,” Dr Coetzee said.

This as the President also announced the relaxation of travel restrictions in line with rapid testing and strict monitoring intended to limit the spread of the infection through importation by those who will be travelling to South Africa.

The number of detected COVID-19 cases has now risen to 742 394 after 2 140 people were confirmed to have contracted the virus on Wednesday.

Sixty more people have passed away, bringing the death toll to 20 011 deaths.

Of the new deaths, 24 are from the Eastern Cape, 19 from the Free State, six from the Northern Cape, four from the Western Cape, and two each from Mpumalanga and the North West.

Addressing the nation on Wednesday, President Cyril Ramaphosa acknowledged the many lives lost to the deadly virus.

“Many of us have had to bid farewell to a loved one, a friend or a colleague.

“As we look back on a year of much pain and sorrow, it is important as a nation that we should honour and remember all those who have succumbed to this disease,” said the President.

According to the latest statistics, 686 458 patients have recuperated, which translates to a 92% recovery rate.

The President said the number of cluster outbreaks has been linked to indoor gatherings with poor ventilation and no social distancing, while the Eastern Cape has been noted as one of the problematic areas.

“With the festive season approaching, understandably, we will want to be with family and friends. It has been a stressful and traumatic year. We want to socialise and connect with each other.”

However, he has urged people not to let their guard down.

“We must remember that every additional person we come into contact with increases the chances of transmission.”

He called on people to avoid large gatherings, and opt for small group gatherings.

“If we must go out, we should limit contact with others. I have been increasingly getting concerned and alarmed by what I have been seeing on social media and even on television where people are holding big parties, gatherings and social events as though the virus does not exist.”

The President is also worried about the citizens who are not wearing masks.

“I have been seeing images of indoor venues crowded with people who are not wearing masks and with no evidence of social distancing.”

President Ramaphosa said super spreader events must be avoided.

“The same rules that applied in the early days of the lockdown should apply now.”

Meanwhile, to ensure all the necessary prevention measures in place, government has extended the National State of Disaster by another month to the 15th of December 2020.

The global cases of COVID-19 have increased by 8% compared to the previous week, totalling more than 3.6 million new cases, while new deaths increased by 21% to over 54 000, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said.

“This brings the cumulative numbers to over 49.7 million reported cases and over 1.2 million deaths globally since the start of the pandemic,” the organisation said.

The European region still accounts for the greatest proportion of new cases and deaths in the past seven days after reporting over half (54%) of all new cases and nearly half (47%) of additional deaths.

“Although it still accounts for only 2% of the global total number of cases and deaths, this week the Western Pacific region showed the largest relative proportional increase in new cases (19%) compared to the previous week, followed by the Eastern Mediterranean region (18%) and the European region (11%).”

Meanwhile, the three regions reporting the highest proportional upsurges in newly reported deaths in the past seven days compared to the previous week are Europe (44%), Africa (30%) and the Eastern Mediterranean (23%).

“The Western Pacific region was the only region to report a decrease in deaths (5%) this week compared to the previous week,” said WHO.

The five countries reporting the highest number of cases in the past week were the United States of America, France, India, Italy and the United Kingdom.

Africa

Africa reported nearly 34 000 new cases and 831 new deaths in the past week.

Meanwhile, the number of new deaths reported in the last week was 30% higher than it was in the previous week, driven largely by increases seen in South Africa, Kenya, and Uganda.

“South Africa continues to report the highest number of new cases and deaths in the region, accounting for nearly a third of new cases and over half of the new deaths,” WHO said, adding that the number of new cases reported by South Africa peaked mid-July, the height of winter, when there were more than 86 000 cases reported weekly.

“By September, South Africa was reporting fewer than 15 000 cases per week, and in the past week, there were nearly 10 500 cases reported (176 new cases per million population).”

Meanwhile, deaths have also fallen from over 1 500 deaths per week at the end of July and beginning of August, to 513 deaths reported in the past week, although it is 55% higher than it was in the previous week.

According to WHO, as of 31 October, five provinces reported over 80% of cases namely, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Western Cape, Eastern Cape and Free State.

The median age of COVID-19 cases in South Africa is 39 years, and 58% of cases are female.

“The reason for this higher prevalence among females could be due to females being more represented in certain occupations in education and health sectors, where they may be at greater risk of infection, as well as differences in health-seeking behaviour,” said WHO.

Kenya is reporting the second-highest number of weekly new cases in the African region.

South Africa has now performed 5 010 350 COVID-19 tests since the outbreak, 17 269 of which were conducted in the last 24 hours.

Meanwhile, 106 people succumbed to the respiratory disease, pushing the death toll to 19 951.

Of the recent deaths, 33 are from the North West, 24 from the Eastern Cape, 15 each from the Free State and the Western Cape, 12 from KwaZulu-Natal, and seven from Gauteng.

“Of the 106 deaths reported today, 15 were reported to have occurred in the past 24 to 48 hours.

“We extend our condolences to the loved ones of the departed and thank the healthcare workers who treated the deceased patients,” said Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize, on Tuesday.

The number of detected cases is now 740 254 after 1 729 new patients contracted the virus.

According to Mkhize, the Free State now has 10 376 active cases, followed by the Eastern Cape with 7 144, KwaZulu-Natal 5 385 and Western Cape 4 460.

In addition, the Northern Cape has 3 588 active cases, North West 3 192, Gauteng 1 984, Mpumalanga 562 and Limpopo 418.

“Our recoveries now stand at 683 194, which translates to a recovery rate of 92%,” Mkhize said.

South Africa has recorded 1 247 new cases and 36 COVID-19 deaths on Monday.

Of the latest fatalities, 20 are from Free State, eight from the Eastern Cape, six from the Western Cape, one from Gauteng and Mpumalanga.

This brings the death toll to 19 845, while the cumulative cases now stand at 738 525 since the outbreak.

“We extend our condolences to the loved ones of the departed and thank the healthcare workers that treated the deceased patients,” said Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize.

Meanwhile, 680 726 patients recuperated which translates to a recovery rate of 92%.

The information is based on the 4 993 081 tests of which 12 641 were performed in the last 24 hours.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), globally, 50 266 033 confirmed cases of COVID-19, including 1 254 567 deaths, to date.

WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has called on the world to “choose health” at the 73rd World Health Assembly in the Year of the Nurse and the Midwife.

He warned: “A vaccine cannot address the global under-investment in essential public health functions and resilient health systems, nor the urgent need for a ‘one health’ approach that encompasses the health of humans, animals and the planet we share. There is no vaccine for poverty, hunger, climate change or inequality”.

He called for leadership to build mutual trust and mutual accountability – to end the pandemic and address the fundamental inequalities that lie at the root of so many of the world’s problems.

“It’s time for the world to heal – from the ravages of this pandemic, and the geopolitical divisions that only drive us further into the chasm of an unhealthier, unsafe and unfair future,” he said.

“Today and every day, we must choose health. We’re one big family.”

South Africa has recorded 1 372 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the country’s cumulative number of cases to 737 278.

Of the 20 deaths reported on Sunday, one was reported to have occurred in the past 24 – 48 hours in Gauteng, while 19 are from Eastern Cape. This brings the total number of COVID-19 related deaths to 19 809.

“We extend our condolences to the loved ones of the departed and thank the healthcare workers that treated the deceased patients,” said Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize.

The Eastern Cape has 5 332 active cases, Free State 10 499, Gauteng 3 775, KwaZulu-Natal 5 412, Limpopo 445, Mpumalanga 584, North West 3571, Northern Cape 3 683 and 4 480 in Western Cape.

To date, South Africa has conducted 4 980 440 tests, with 17 266 new tests conducted since the last report.

The country’s recoveries now stands at 679 688, which translates to a recovery rate of 92%.

South Africa recorded 1 241 new COVID-19 cases on Tuesday, while 74 more people lost their lives to the respiratory disease.

Of the latest fatalities, 35 are from the Eastern Cape, 11 from the Western Cape, eight each from Gauteng and the Northern Cape, six each from the Free State and KwaZulu-Natal.

According to Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize, 10 deaths were reported in the past 24 to 48 hours, bringing the death toll to 19 539.

“We extend our condolences to the loved ones of the departed and thank the healthcare workers who treated the deceased patients,” the Minister said.

Meanwhile, the total number of COVID-19 cases now sits at 728 836, with 50 048 cases still active.

The recovery rate is still standing at 90%, after 659 249 patients recuperated to date.

The information is based on the 4 868 610 tests conducted to date, with 15 692 performed since the last report.

Global view

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), over 3.3 million new cases have been reported globally in the past week.

The European region recorded the most noticeable increase, half of the global new cases of over 1.7 million cases – a 22% upsurge from the previous week.

The region also reported a substantial 46% increase compared with the previous week’s rise in the number of new deaths, with Europe and the Americas now each reporting over 17 000 new deaths in the last seven days.

Meanwhile, the Americas and the Eastern Mediterranean regions have also seen relatively smaller rises in the number of reported cases.

“The South East Asia region has continued to report a decline in new cases and deaths, while case incidence continues to fluctuate around similar rates compared to recent weeks in the African and Western Pacific regions,” said WHO.

Since the outbreak, nine countries have reported more than one million confirmed cases, namely, the United States, India, Brazil, Russian Federation, France, Spain, Argentina, Colombia, and the United Kingdom.

African region

Africa has experienced a four-week trend with a gradual rise in the number of new cases reported in the past seven days, with almost 33 000 new cases – 1% of new global cases.

However, the number of newly reported deaths has continued to decline since a spike was observed three weeks ago following South Africa’s “retrospective capturing” of a large number of deaths, the organisation said.

According to WHO, South Africa, Kenya, and Ethiopia continue to report the highest numbers of new cases, while the highest number of new deaths per million population in the region was reported in South Africa (six new cases per million population).

In Nigeria, weekly new cases have decreased gradually since September, while deaths have remained relatively low.

The WHO has recorded 46 840 783 confirmed cases of COVID-19, including 1 204 028 deaths, to date.

World Health Organisation Director-General, Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, is in self-quarantine after coming into contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19.

“I have been identified as a contact of someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. I am well and without symptoms but will self-quarantine in the coming days, in line with WHO protocols.

“At this time, it is critically important that we all comply with health guidance. This is how we will break chains of transmission, suppress the virus, and protect health systems,” said the WHO DG.

Ghebreyesus made the announcement during the WHO weekly media briefing on Monday.

Providing feedback on the COVID-19 situation, Ghebreyesus said while many countries have brought COVID-19 under control, cases in some countries in Europe and North America continue to spike.

“This is another critical moment for action, another critical moment for leaders to step up and another critical moment for people to come together for a common purpose.

“Seize the opportunity. It’s not too late. We all have a role to play in suppressing transmission and we have seen across the world that it’s possible,” he said.

Ghebreyesus lauded South Africa, among other countries, for its efforts in suppressing the virus.

“There are many lessons from the Republic of Korea, South Africa and Sierra Leone that can help other countries suppress the virus, save lives and protect health workers and hospitals.

“It really reinforces that while some countries are putting in place measures to ease the pressure on the health system, there is also now an opportunity to build stronger systems,” said the WHO DG.

In calling on governments to curb the spread of COVID-19, Ghebreyesus emphasised the need for quality testing, tracing and treatment measures.

“We need countries to again invest in the basics, so that measures can be lifted safely and governments can hopefully avoid having to take these measures again.

“On a macro level, this also reflects why a whole-of-government, whole-of-society approach to sustainable global preparedness is so important,” he said.

Fifty-four people died from conditions associated with COVID-19 on Monday, pushing the death toll to 19 465 since the outbreak in South Africa.

Of the latest fatalities, 24 are from the Eastern Cape, 13 from the Free State, and nine from the Northern Cape.

Four deaths were recorded in the Western Cape, two in Limpopo and one each in KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga.

“Of the 54 deaths reported, four were reported to have occurred in the past 24 to 48 hours,” said Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize.

Meanwhile, the number of cases has increased to 727 595 after 772 people contracted the virus.

Gauteng has the highest numbers of active cases sitting at 15 411, followed by the Free State with 11 754, KwaZulu-Natal with 7 083 and Western Cape 4 499.

The Eastern Cape has 3 784 active cases, the Northern Cape 3 597, the North West 3 399, Mpumalanga 576 and Limpopo 527.

“Our recoveries now stand at 657 500, which translates to a recovery rate of 90%,” Mkhize said in his statement.

The information is based on the 4 852 918 tests conducted, 10 402 of which were performed since the last report.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), globally, there are 46 403 652 confirmed cases of COVID-19, including 1 198 569 deaths to date.

COVID-19 cases peak globally

WHO Director-General (DG), Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, is currently self-isolating after coming into contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.

“I am well and without symptoms but will self-quarantine in the coming days, in line with WHO protocols.

“At this time, it is critically important that we all comply with health guidance,” Ghebreyesus said at a virtual briefing, adding that this is how the chain of transmission can be broken.

While many countries have brought COVID-19 under control, cases in some countries in Europe and North America continue to spike.

“This is another critical moment for action, another critical moment for leaders to step up,” Ghebreyesus stressed.

The DG believes that everyone has a role to play in suppressing transmission.

He said the WHO has released videos featuring multiple countries demonstrating their comprehensive responses to COVID-19, including New Zealand, Rwanda, Thailand, the Republic of Korea, Italy and Spain.

Ghebreyesus cited Mongolia as an exemplary country that has beaten Coronavirus, with zero deaths or local transmission.

According to reports, all 350 confirmed cases in Mongolia were imported, with 313 people having recovered.

“What Mongolia and all these stories show is that there are shared lessons that we can all learn from,” said Ghebreyesus.

In some countries, however, cases are going up exponentially and hospitals are reaching capacity, which poses a risk to patients and health workers alike, Ghebreyesus said. “This is leaving health workers with difficult decisions to make on how to prioritise care for those that are sick.”