Category: COVID-19 Corona Virus

South Africa’s COVID-19 death toll now stands at 18 968 after 24 people succumbed to the virus on Sunday.

Of the latest fatalities, five occurred in the past 48 hours, said Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize, yesterday.

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

Meanwhile, the number of detected COVID-19 cases is now 715 868 after 1 622 new infections were recorded.

The recovery rate sits at 90.3%.

The number of tests conducted to date is 4 697 939, with 19 997 being performed since the last report.

Globally, there have been 42 512 186 confirmed cases of COVID-19, including 1 147 301 deaths, reported to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

During the United Nations (UN) Crisis Management Team (CMT) meeting on Friday, WHO briefed on the epidemiological situation, noting the increasing trends in parts of Europe and Asia.

WHO warned that the previous success in controlling COVID-19 transmission is no guarantee of future success, and that continued vigilance is required.

The organisation stressed that it is still learning about the long-term impact of the disease, and the importance of research and follow-up.

On mass gatherings, WHO said work is shifting from the assessment of risk associated with large international events, to providing tools and guidance for mitigating the risk associated with smaller events and sporting competitions.

Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize, has raised his concerns about the climbing figures of positive COVID-19 cases in South Africa.

“Over the past week, there has been an increase of 9.1% in new cases,” he said, adding that there has been an increase of 10.7% over the last 14 days.

The country now has 710 515 detected COVID-19 cases after 2 156 people were confirmed to have contracted the virus on Thursday.

Meanwhile, 102 more people succumbed to the respiratory disease pushing the death toll to 18 843.

“Of the 102 deaths reported today [Thursday], 20 occurred in the past 48 hours,” Mkhize said, adding that 25 788 tests were performed since the last report.

The Minister has once again urged citizens to continue to wear masks in public, wash hands frequently, and practice social distancing.

“Fellow South Africans, when we emphasise that the high risk of resurgence remains high, we do not do so to instil fear in you… The only weapon we have against COVID-19 is our social behaviour and constant adherence to health protocols,” Mkhize said.

According to Mkhize, the Western Cape Health Department has identified specific COVID-19 clusters that are responsible for the upsurge in that province which has sparked a 42% increase in the new infections.

“We must remain vigilant,” the Minister pleaded.

Western Cape Premier Alan Winde has appealed to all residents to continue to take the necessary precautions.

“We also call on businesses and places where people are allowed to gather, including churches and government buildings, to ensure that the necessary safety protocols are in place.”

According to the World Health Organisation, there are 41 104 946 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 1 128 325 deaths reported, globally.

The cumulative number of detected COVID-19 cases is now 708 359, with 85 more COVID-19 related deaths reported.

In the last 24 hours, 2 055 new cases were reported. Of the 85 deaths reported, eight occurred in the past 48 hours. The 85 deaths bring the national COVID-19 death toll to 18 741.

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

The country’s recovery rate stands at 90%, with 641 706 people having recuperated.

The cumulative number of tests conducted to date is 4 607 883, with 26 537 new tests conducted since the last report.

Of the total cases, the Eastern Cape accounts for 92 566, Free State 54 238, Gauteng 226 073, KwaZulu-Natal 121 647, Limpopo 16 956, Mpumalanga 29 023, North West 32 202, Northern Cape 20 690 and 114 964 in the Western Cape.

The recoveries in the provinces are as follows: Eastern Cape 3 508, Free State 1 402, Gauteng 4 679, KwaZulu-Natal 3 160, Limpopo 440, Mpumalanga 592, North West 403, Northern Cape 256, Western Cape 4 301.

The cumulative number of detected COVID-19 cases is now 706 304, with 164 more COVID-19 related deaths reported.

In the last 24 hours, 15 366 people took the COVID-19 test. As of Tuesday, 1 058 patients were confirmed to have contracted the virus.

Meanwhile, 164 more COVID-19 related deaths were reported on Tuesday, bringing the tally to 18 656.

Of the latest fatalities, 52 were from Gauteng, 46 from the Eastern Cape and 41 from Free State.

Nine deaths are from KwaZulu-Natal, eight from the Western Cape, five from Limpopo, two from the Northern Cape and one from Mpumalanga.

“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.

However, the recovery rate stands at 90%.

Globally, there have been 40 251 950 confirmed cases, including 1 116 131 deaths, reported to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

According to the WHO, the African region has reported an increase in both cases and deaths in the last seven days, with an 11% increase in new cases and an 8% increase in new deaths.

This pattern is a drive by South Africa and Ethiopia, with Kenya and Botswana also reporting a notable spike in infections.

“An unusually high number of cases was reported from Botswana this week, with over 1 800 cases reported in one day,” the WHO said, adding that it is largely attributed to a backlog of tests, mostly from in and around the capital city of Gaborone.

Meanwhile, South Africa has accounted for approximately 70% of deaths on the continent in the past week.

“The high number of deaths being reported is partially attributed to a mortality audit and many of these deaths are retrospectively reported,” the organisation explained.

In addition, Mauritania recorded a large upsurge from last week (12 to 80 cases), all reported from the capital, Nouakchott.

“Although this is a higher number of cases than Mauritania has reported in recent weeks, it remains lower than the daily numbers reported in July.”

India, the United States of America, France, Brazil and the United Kingdom continue to report the highest number of cases, the WHO said.

South Africa recorded 61 more COVID-19 related deaths on Monday, bringing the death toll to 18 492.

Of the latest fatalities, 21 are from the Eastern Cape, 19 from the Free State, eight from the Western Cape, six from the Northern Cape, three each from KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng, and one from Mpumalanga.

“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.

Meanwhile, 635 257 patients have recuperated, which translates to a recovery rate of 90%.

The cumulative number of detected COVID-19 cases is 705 254, after 1 461 new infections were identified since the last report.

Mkhize has since corrected a typographical error, which occurred on Sunday when the total number of deaths was recorded in KwaZulu-Natal.

“[On Sunday], we reported a cumulative total of 3 176 deaths for KwaZulu-Natal. We wish to correct this. This was a typographical error which occurred when the total number was recorded, following verification.

“We therefore confirm that [the] total number of deaths for KwaZulu Natal was 3 136. This means the total number of deaths nationally for 18 October 2020 was 18 431. We apologise for this error.”

African countries are encouraged by moves by international financial institutions to provide relief to indebted countries at a time when the effects of COVID-19 continue to be felt, says President Cyril Ramaphosa.

“We are encouraged by moves by the international financial institutions to provide relief to indebted countries, and reiterate our call for a moratorium on interest and debt repayments by stricken countries,” said the President.

The President made these remarks during the World Bank high-level event on Human Capital in the time of COVID-19 on Thursday.

The President said such placing of a moratorium on interest and debt repayments will afford African countries the fiscal space sorely needed to rebuild societies and economies.

“For every African man, woman and child to realise their full potential, we have to continue to invest in poverty eradication, in education and in improving health outcomes.”

He said the pandemic has once again brought to the fore the importance and necessity of universal health coverage.

“We have to turn this period of crisis into one of opportunity to build resilient economies.”

He said the continent continues to call for a comprehensive economic stimulus.

“We are continuing to call for a comprehensive economic stimulus to assist African countries to mitigate the effects of the pandemic.”

President Ramaphosa said the Coronavirus pandemic has a deep and profound impact on the world, having devastated livelihoods and economies, setting back the ability to meet the aspirations of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

However, the African continent’s response to the pandemic has been strategic and collaborative.

The continent’s strategy in dealing with the pandemic has been based on four pillars.

The first has been in developing a continental response to the virus, and the second has been in raising resources through the African Union’s COVID-19 Response Fund.

The third pillar has been in setting up a continental platform for the acquisition and distribution of diagnostic and therapeutic supplies to countries in need, through the Africa Medical Supplies Platform.

The fourth pillar was the appointment of special envoys to engage with the international community to mobilise the financial support that African countries need to ensure an effective public health response to the pandemic, and enable their economies to recover.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has cautioned that the COVID-19 pandemic will not be over soon as the death toll reached 18 309 after 158 more people succumbed to the respiratory disease on Thursday.

Of the latest deaths, 70 are from Gauteng, 38 from KwaZulu-Natal, 22 from the Eastern Cape, 19 from the Free State, five from Limpopo and four from the Western Cape, the Health Ministry announced.

“Globally, the number of new COVID cases per day is currently at its highest level since the start of the pandemic,” he said.

The President said this while presenting a new economic plan to stabilise the fiscus that has been ravaged by the pandemic during a joint sitting of the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces in Parliament on Thursday.

“The pandemic continues to cause severe damage to the global economy, affecting trade, investment, production, international travel and global supply and demand,” he said, adding that no country has been spared.

Coronavirus has caused great hardship and suffering in South Africa.

“In the 220 days since our first recorded case, more than 18 000 people are confirmed to have died from COVID-19,” he said, while describing the loss of life as not only devastating to the families but to the nation as well.

Meanwhile, the cumulative number of detected COVID-19 cases now stands at 698 184 after 1 770 people were

confirmed to have contracted the virus.

Of these, 90% of the infected patients have recovered to date.

“While the national lockdown in April had a significant impact on economic activity, the economic consequences of an uncontrolled surge would have been far worse. Due to the dedication and sacrifices of millions of South Africans, we were able to limit the impact of the pandemic on lives and livelihoods.”

The average number of daily cases has remained relatively stable at less than 2 000 cases for the last month and a half even under lockdown level 1.

“But it is far too soon to declare victory,” he stressed.

According to President Ramaphosa, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has advised the country that is now entering a phase that requires high vigilance and heightened readiness to avoid a resurgence of cases.

“Rather than easing our prevention efforts – including social distancing and observing health protocols – we must intensify them further to reduce new cases to less than 1 000 a day.”

He warned that the Coronavirus would remain part of everyone’s life for some time to come.

The President said the health system must also remain adequately staffed, equipped and financed to ensure government saves lives.

“We must rebuild, repair and restore our country, not after COVID, but in the midst of COVID.”

According to the WHO, there have been 38 394 169 confirmed cases of COVID-19, including 1 089 047 deaths globally.

The Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) Minister, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, has gazetted the extension of the National State of Disaster by another month.

The country has been on a National State of Disaster since March, due to the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The extension follows consultations and approval by Cabinet, the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs said in a statement.

“The decision to extend the State of National Disaster was not taken lightly. Consideration of the material conditions within the context of the Risk-Adjusted Strategy motivated the decision to endorse this further extension.

“It is important to note that the current measures contained in the regulations to deal with the disaster, in the context of the Risk-Adjusted Strategy, are needed beyond 15 October 2020,” the department said.

The Minister has expressed gratitude for the public support for measures to mitigate the spread of the pandemic, including maintaining social distancing, regular washing of hands or sanitising, and the wearing of masks in public.

“We must also sustain our commitment to remain responsive, agile and compassionate, as we work to save lives and protect the livelihoods of all South Africans. The National State of Disaster will be in effect for another month until 15 November 2020,” the department said. –

The cumulative number of detected COVID-19 cases now stands at 696 414 after 1 877 infections were identified on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the death toll has jumped to 18 151 after 123 people succumbed to the respiratory disease since the last report.

Of the latest fatalities, 44 are from the Eastern Cape, 35 from Gauteng, 17 from KwaZulu-Natal, 14 from Free State, eight from the North West and five from the Western Cape.

According to Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize, 10 of these new deaths occurred in the past 24 to 48 hours.

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

“Our recoveries now stand at 626 898 which translates to a recovery rate of 90%,” Mkhize added.

The information is based on the 4 458 745 tests performed since the outbreak of which 24 793 were conducted in the last 24 hours.

Mkhize announced that to date, 247 frontline workers have lost their lives to COVID-19.

“I wish to convey my sincerest condolences to the families, friends, colleagues and communities who lost these precious members of our society,” Mkhize said during the Rotary Family Health Day webinar.

Globally, there have been 38 002 699 confirmed cases of COVID-19, including 1 083 234 deaths reported to the World Health Organisation.

Free State Premier Sisi Ntombela has become the latest provincial head to test positive for COVID-19.

The MEC for Health, Montseng Tsiu and the Director-General (DG) in the Free State Provincial Government, Kopung Ralikontsane, were confirmed to have contracted Coronavirus over the weekend.

According to the provincial government, the Premier, who received her results on Tuesday, will continue to carry out her work responsibilities while in isolation, until she has fully recovered or advised otherwise by healthcare professionals.

The MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), Thembeni Nxangisa, will be the acting MEC for health until Tsiu has fully recuperated.

The Deputy DG for Policy, Planning and Governance, Thuso Ramaema, will be standing in for Ralikontsane from 12 – 26 October 2020.

The fight against the virus is far from over, the province warned.

“Although we have made progress in curbing the spread of the virus, it has not been eliminated and thus, people must continue to exercise extreme cautiousness.

“We urge others to be responsible and accountable for their actions. Our ultimate challenge now is that there are communities, which are no longer adhering to regulations and observing the necessary protocols, which is putting the lives of citizens in danger,” said Ntombela said on Wednesday.

She warned that many people who contract the virus do not have symptoms and could “unsuspectingly” infect others.

“Our most important duty now in dealing with this pandemic is to ensure that we do not experience a new, rapid surge in infections, which will result in the second wave.”

The provincial government has once again urged all citizens to play their part in observing the necessary protocols of washing hands and sanitising regularly, wearing a mask when in public, and physical distancing.

The province has also called on people to protect the elderly and those who suffer from comorbidities.

Meanwhile, those who choose to visit places of entertainment or travel for leisure must do so responsibly, the provincial government pleaded.

The province said the safe and free government quarantine facilities are still available in the province for those seeking isolation.

Citizens are further urged to call the 0800 535 554 hotline for any other assistance or enquires related to COVID-19.