Category: COVID-19 Corona Virus

The Department of Correctional Services has recorded a 91.18% COVID-19 recovery rate for officials and inmates.

A total of 6 476 officials and inmates have tested positive for COVID-19 and 5 905 of those have recovered which translates to a recovery rate of a recovery rate of 91.18%.

As of Monday, the department had 466 (7.20%) active cases comprising of 129 inmates and 337 officials.

According to the latest statistics from the Department of Health, South Africa has a cumulative 611 450 confirmed COVID-19 cases with 1 677 new cases identified.

The total number of deaths is at 13 159 and recoveries stand at 516 494.

The number of COVID-19 cases has reached 609 773 in South Africa after 2 743 new cases were identified on Sunday.

Meanwhile, the death toll has now jumped to 13 059 since the outbreak in March.

Of the new 72 new COVID-19 related deaths, 41 are in Gauteng, 12 in KwaZulu-Natal, 11 in the Eastern Cape and eight in the Western Cape.

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

The provinces with the highest number of infections include Gauteng with 206 018 cases, followed by KwaZulu-Natal with 109 841, Western Cape 104 588 and Eastern Cape 85 203.

Free State has 34 980 cases, North West 24 301, Mpumalanga 23 100, Limpopo 12 563 and Northern Cape 9 129.

Fifty cases remain unallocated.

The number of those who have recovered stands at 506 470, which translates to a recovery rate of 83%.

The information is based on the 3 553 425 tests done to date, with 18 358 conducted since the last report.

In an interview on eNCA on Sunday, Mkhize said the country might be over the surge.

“The plateau has started. In the Western Cape, it’s been over two months. Cases in KwaZulu-Natal are also decreasing. That is indicative of a promising time,” he said.

However, Mkhize said the real risk government is worried about is resurgence if people neglect precautionary measures.

“The message we are sending is for everyone to take personal responsibility,” he said, adding that other countries have had to re-impose restrictions.

“We will have to do the same if people start behaving complacently. We hope we don’t have to go in that direction. It is a decision that is not taken lightly. We do think it’s possible for people to exercise social behavioural changes.”

Mkhize pleaded with the nation to focus on containment measures such as wearing of masks, washing hands regularly, sanitising and maintaining social distancing.

Globally, as of 23 August, there have been 23 057 288 confirmed cases of COVID-19, including 800 906 deaths reported to the World Health Organisation.

South Africa’s COVID-19 death toll has increased to 12 618 after 195 people succumbed to the respiratory disease on Thursday.

Of the additional fatalities, 83 are from Gauteng, 36 from KwaZulu-Natal, 26 from the Eastern Cape, 25 from Free State, 13 from the Western Cape and 12 from Limpopo.

Also, there are now 599 940 cumulative confirmed COVID-19 cases in the country after 3 880 infections were identified.

The provinces with the highest burden of Coronavirus include Gauteng with 202 955 cases, followed by KwaZulu-Natal 108 080, Western Cape 103 616 and Eastern Cape 84 586.

Free State has 33 665 cases, North West 23 868, Mpumalanga 22 459, Limpopo 12 086 and Northern Cape 8 575.

Fifty cases are still unknown.

“The recoveries now stand at 497 169 which translates to a recovery rate of 82%,” said Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize.

The data is based on the tests 3 480 283 tests conducted to date of which 24 612 were done since the last report.

Worldwide, there are 22 256 220 confirmed cases of COVID-19, including 782 456 deaths reported to the World Health Organisation.

While the number of claims for compensation as a result of sickness acquired in the workplace because of the COVID-19 pandemic are still going up, very few people have lodged death claims as a result of the virus.

According to the Department of Employment and Labour, only one funeral has been paid R18 251 in the period since the onset of the pandemic.

“While it is early to make conclusions, it does seem that we got off more lightly than we feared. This is good news but off course, one death is one too many,” said Compensation Fund Commissioner Vuyo Mafata.

Over 4 000 COVID-19 claims lodged

According to the figures released on Thursday, a total of 4 916 COVID-19 claims have been received so far, and this include 3 240 directly to the Compensation Fund (CF) and a further 1 539 to Rand Mutual, while Federated Employees have received 137 claims.

“Rand Mutual, which operates under licence as granted by Minister of Employment and Labour, and covers mostly workers in the mining and iron and steel industries, has paid out R3.2 million in dependent benefits, while the CF (Compensation Fund) has paid R419 182.85 in medical aid claims for workers who have contracted COVID-19 while on duty,” Mafata said.

Of the 3 240 claims received by the CF, 1 847 come from the Western Cape followed by Eastern Cape with 666, Gauteng with 398, KwaZulu-Natal with 225, Mpumalanga 65, North West 29, Northern Cape 7 and Limpopo 3.

The CF has accepted liability to 2 097, repudiated 443 while 700 cases await adjudication. Almost 80 percent of the cases at CF have affected women.

The claims received by Rand Mutual shows that Gauteng has received 1 122 claims, 147 in the Eastern Cape, 60 in the Western Cape, 71 in KwaZulu-Natal, 35 in North West, 25 in the Free State, 21 in Limpopo, and 58 are unknown.

“Of the 1 539 claims received so far, 1 319 are pending adjudication while 216 have been repudiated,” Mafata said.

Federated employers who represent workers mostly in the construction sector has received 137 claims – mostly from the Gauteng.

R40bn paid to ease burden of COVIS-19 lockdown

Meanwhile, Mafata said a picture is emerging on the assistance the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) gave different industries as part of the R40 billion that it has paid so far since 26 March to ease the burden of the COVID-19 lockdown.

“The personal services industry has been the biggest beneficiary of the Temporary Employees Relief Scheme (TERS) with over R10 billion having been disbursed to workers in this industry benefitting 2 620 115 employees.

“This industry includes boarding houses, cafes, restaurants, nightclubs, laundries and dry cleaning depots, barbers, beauty shops, funeral undertakings, crematoria, cemetery boards, advertising agents, and collection agencies,” Mafata said.

The disbursements by UIF, which is an agency of Employment and Labour, has also saw R9 billion pumped into the trade industry.

This include market agents, fish, poultry or game dealers, installers and assemblers of computers, household electrical appliances, televisions, radios, armature winding, taxidermist, pedal cycle or sewing machine dealers including repair and assembly thereof, photographers, hide, skin and wool merchants or brokers, and makers of feather dusters.

In this industry, Mafata said, 2 218 571 employees have benefitted.

The building industry was third with just over R2 billion disbursed to 496 981 employees.

“The rest of the industries are, iron with R2 billion, professional services with R1.9 billion, air services with R1.3 billion and mining with R1.2 billion. The rest of the industries like educational services, food and agriculture were just below the billion rand mark.

“The UIF is also continuing to ensure that all the valid outstanding claims are processed and have availed employers a number of tools to ensure that they can correct and update missing information,” Mafata said.

With many businesses detrimentally affected by the COVID-19 lockdown, South African banks during this bleak period have provided their clients with voluntary relief on loans with a book value of R537 billion.

This was confirmed by the board of the Banking Association of South Africa (BASA) during a meeting with Finance Minister Tito Mboweni on Wednesday. Also in attendance was the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) Governor Lesetja Kganyago, his Deputy Kuben Naidoo, the Deputy Minister of Finance, David Masondo, and National Treasury officials.

During the meeting, stakeholders discussed measures banks were taking to support the economy, as the country moved to level 2 of the COVID-19 lockdown.

The BASA board, which represents all registered banks, is composed of bank chief executives.

In a statement issued on Thursday, National Treasury said bank CEOs reported the success of a number of initiatives undertaken by the industry to support their clients during this difficult time.

“In total, as at the end of the first week of August, banks had provided voluntary relief on loans with a book value at risk of R537 billion. This voluntary relief was in part supported by regulatory changes made by the Prudential Authority of the South African Reserve Bank,” Treasury said.

The banks also provided an update on the loan guarantee scheme.

In this regard, as at 1 August, the scheme had lent R14 billion out of an initial R100 billion, benefiting almost 10 000 businesses, with another 15 000 applications still being processed by banks.

“It was noted that demand for credit is particularly low at present, largely due to the earlier voluntary assistance provided by the banks when the State of National Disaster was declared,” said Treasury.

This was due to firms being reluctant to take on additional debt.

“However, the recently announced move to level 2 would support the re-opening of significant parts of the economy. With firms adjusting to the next stage of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is hoped that the economic recovery will strengthen and the demand for credit will improve,” BASA said.

With this in mind, changes have been made to the design of the loan guarantee scheme. These include a Business Restart Loan and changes to credit assessment criteria.

Minister Mboweni said: “The banking industry’s ongoing openness to discuss design improvements is particularly appreciated, and I note that many countries have adjusted the design of their respective schemes from time to time to respond to changing circumstances. We will continue to evaluate the scheme and make changes to improve it”.

BASA has emphasised the need for COVID-19 economic relief measures to be complemented by structural reforms for South Africa, as proposed by the Minister of Finance to turn the corner in its economic recovery.

Ongoing engagement between the Banking Association and National Treasury would inform further design changes that may be required to ensure that more small to medium sized enterprises use the scheme to support their recovery.

The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) has recently revealed the racial divide in COVID-19 deaths, with Blacks and Coloureds more likely to succumb to the disease in South Africa.

“Race is for the first time reported to have an association with in-hospital mortality, with a higher risk of mortality in individuals who were Black African or Coloured, compared to White individuals,” the NICD said.

The institution said a similar trend was observed in studies in the United States, where Blacks, Hispanics, and those from lower socio-economic status are more likely to die of COVID-19.

The NICD’s latest report is based on 49 218 COVID-19 admissions reported from 380 facilities, 144 and 236 in the public and private sectors, respectively, between 5 March and 8 August 2020.

“There was an increase of 5 177 new admissions since the last report, and 40 additional hospitals – 35 public sector and five private sector – reporting COVID-19 admissions,” the NICD said.

The majority of those admitted were in four provinces: 15 782 (32%) in the Western Cape, 14 122 (29%) in Gauteng, 7 824 (16%) in KwaZulu-Natal and 4 306 (9%) in the Eastern Cape.

“Admissions in the Western Cape, Eastern Cape and Gauteng have decreased, and there are indications of admissions slowing… in the other provinces over the past three weeks,” the NICD said.

Meanwhile, factors associated with in-hospital COVID-19 fatalities were also linked to older age groups, males and those with underlying conditions.

These include hypertension, diabetes, chronic cardiac disease, chronic renal disease, malignancy, HIV, tuberculosis and obesity.

“Trends in case fatality ratio (CFR) over time and provincial differences may be affected by many factors, such as hospital admission criteria, closing cases timeously, testing criteria in different provinces, and the severity of illness in admitted cases.”

The report also revealed that compared to the Western Cape, individuals hospitalised in the Eastern Cape and Free State provinces were more likely to die in-hospital, while individuals in Mpumalanga province were less likely to die.

Age

The study found that the median age of patients who died was 62 years and 49 years for those discharged alive.

“There were 39 (0.5%) deaths in children aged younger than 18 years, with most of these deaths in children with serious underlying comorbid conditions,” the NICD said.

Meanwhile, there were 511 (6.7%) deaths in patients younger than 40 years, while the CFR was higher in males (21.2%) than females (15.9%).

“In all age groups, except for those younger than 20 years, hypertension and diabetes were most commonly reported comorbidities among patients who died.

“In addition, in patients younger than 60 years, HIV, tuberculosis and obesity were common, while in those older than 60 years, asthma or chronic pulmonary disease and chronic renal disease were common comorbidities,” the report said.

Admissions

Of the 49 128 admitted individuals, 6 723 (13.7%) were currently in hospital, 34 186 (69.6%) were discharged alive, 481 (1.0%) were transferred out to either higher-level care or step-down facilities. Also, 7 655 (15.6%) died in hospital and 83 (0.2%) died after discharge from hospital.

“There were 1 028 additional deaths since the last report,” said the NICD.

Public and private sectors

In the first few weeks of the outbreak, most deaths were reported in the private sector, while most fatalities were recorded in the public sector since week 17.

“However, since week 27, again most deaths were reported in the private sector. The CFR was higher in the public health sector (24.5%) than in the private health sector (15.5%).”

The NICD has also noted a decrease in reported COVID-19 admissions for the past three weeks.

The NICD’s DATCOV is a sentinel surveillance system and does not include all hospitals with COVID-19 admissions and may not be truly representative of hospital admissions for COVID-19 throughout South Africa.

“DATCOV only reports hospital-based admissions and deaths and therefore does not include deaths occurring outside hospitals.”

The institution said the availability of reliable surveillance data is of critical importance to gain a better understanding of the epidemiology of COVID-19 in South Africa, to monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and respond with adequate control measures.

South Africa’s COVID-19 cases are edging closer to the 600 000 mark after 3 916 new cases were recorded on Wednesday.

According to the latest data, there are now 596 060 people who have contracted the virus, while the death toll is now 12 423.

Of the 159 additional COVID-19 related deaths, 45 are in KwaZulu-Natal, 43 in Gauteng, 37 in the Eastern Cape, 29 in the Western Cape and five in Free State.

Meanwhile, the hardest-hit provinces include Gauteng with 202 011 cases, followed by KwaZulu-Natal 107 271, Western Cape 103 210 and Eastern Cape 84 362.

The Free State has 33 163 cases, North West 23 641, Mpumalanga 22 067, Limpopo 11 944 and Northern Cape 8 341.

Fifty cases remain unallocated.

The total number of tests conducted is 3 455 671 with 25 324 done in the last 24 hours.

“The number of recoveries currently stands at 491 441 which translates to a recovery rate of 82%,” said Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize.

Globally, there have been 21 989 366 confirmed cases of COVID-19, including 775 893 deaths reported to the World Health Organisation.

Government, in collaboration with the private sector, is putting plans in place to roll out hydrogen fuel cell technologies in various parts of South Africa.

These will serve as alternative energy sources to the country’s electricity grid.

Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) Director-General, Dr Phil Mjwara said that such partnerships will enable government to take alternative energy sources to rural areas while also contributing to the growth of the country’s green economy.

Dr Mjwara was speaking at 1 Military Hospital in Pretoria on Wednesday, where government has set up a field hospital to prepare for the potential increase in COVID-19 patients.

The department unveiled seven hydrogen fuel cell systems as the primary power source for the field hospital, which has facilities for testing and screening, as well as life-saving equipment such as ventilators in the intensive care unit.

The project is a partnership between the DSI, the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure, the Department of Defence and private companies including, Bambili Energy, which is committed to commercialising intellectual property developed through the DSI’s Hydrogen South Africa (HySA) Programme.

Mjwara said that Bambili Energy is working on an initiative to take some of these fuels cells to rural areas in the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal provinces.

“This is the start, but the idea is to roll the project out to various parts of South Africa,” said Mjwara.

South Africa’s Secretary for Defence, Ambassador Sonto Kudjoe said that the field hospital is now operating using only the fuel cell systems, while Eskom’s electricity grid serves as back-up.

“It is encouraging that there was an opportunity to scale up the project.  We can extend the systems to many parts of the country and relieve the burden on Eskom, while transferring skills in the development of hydrogen fuel cells in the country,” said Ambassador Kudjoe.

The support provided to 1 Military Hospital will be complemented by hands-on training, involving government officials and unemployed college graduates with N4 electrical engineering (light and heavy current) qualifications.

Bambili Energy CEO, Zanele Mavuso expressed excitement at leading the deployment of the fuel cell systems to contribute to government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This is also an opportunity to demonstrate the potential role alternative energy sources can play in our everyday lives, given South Africa’s growing energy challenges,” Mavuso said.

Further contributions in the form of methanol and hydrogen for the fuel cell units were received from Air Products South Africa, Protea Chemicals and Sasol.

Protea Chemicals Interim Managing Director, Pieter Swart, said they are looking forward to the partnership, and to working with the Bambili group and the various government departments involved in the project.

Given its experience in the production and handling of hydrogen, which it uses to produce liquid fuels, fuel gas and chemicals, Sasol will donate 10 000 litres of methanol and 600 kg of hydrogen monthly until April 2021.

This will help to power the field facility.

“We are deliberately pursuing renewable energy sources through technology, innovation and collaboration, and sustainably produced hydrogen is integral to reducing our carbon footprint across our operations,” said Sasol’s Human Resources and Corporate Affairs Executive Vice President, Charlotte Mokoena.

Other partners in the initiative include South Africa’s HyPlat, Singapore’s Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies, the US company Element One, and Powercell Sweden.

Hydrogen fuel cell technologies are globally recognised for their potential to decarbonise the energy and transport sectors.

Fuel cells produce electricity by means of a chemical reaction, using hydrogen as the basic fuel and platinum-based catalysts.

Besides being efficient and reliable, fuel cells can be deployed rapidly and scaled up easily as the need arises, and their maintenance costs are relatively low.

South Africa’s COVID-19 death toll has jumped to 12 264 after 282 fatalities were recorded on Wednesday.

Of the new deaths, 89 were in Gauteng, 66 in the Eastern Cape, 57 in KwaZulu-Natal, 34 in the Western Cape, 20 in the North West, 13 in Free State and three in the Northern Cape.

Also, the number of cumulative COVID-19 cases increased to 592 144 after 2 258 new infections were identified.

Gauteng remains the epicentre with 200 949 cases, while KwaZulu-Natal has 106 565, Western Cape 102 739 and Eastern Cape 84 144.

The provinces with the least number of infections include the Free State with 32 593 cases, North West 23 445, Mpumalanga 21 717, Limpopo 11 813 and Northern Cape 8 129.

Fifty cases remain unallocated.

“The total number of tests conducted to date is 3 430 347, with 14 677 new tests conducted since the last report,” Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize, said.

According to the latest data, 485 468 people have recuperated to date, which translates to a recovery rate of 82%.

Globally, there have been 21 756 357 confirmed cases of COVID-19, with 771 635 deaths reported to the World Health Organisation.

South Africa’s High Commissioner to Ghana, Ambassador Lulu Xingwana, has called on business to help in developing economic strategies for a post-COVID-19 world.

“This therefore requires all of us to focus our energies on developing economic recovery strategies post-Covid-19. We have noticed that our countries have commenced a trajectory of gradually easing down some restrictive measures to achieve a balance between saving lives and the economy.

“I strongly urge all business to heed the clarion call by our leaders to collaborate in developing a wider economic recovery and reconstruction plan,” said Xingwana.

Speaking during a South Africa-Ghana Trade and Investment webinar on Tuesday, Xingwana encouraged business to invest in infrastructure.

“This should embrace inclusion of investment in infrastructure-driven growth, through building of bridges, roads, clinics, and renewable energy plants, and bring more young people into jobs; as well as greater use of locally made inputs of steel, cement and machinery,” she said.

The two-day webinar, which got underway on Tuesday, is hosted by the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC).

She said the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted global economic activity.

“Today’s seminar takes place in very different circumstances as the one we held earlier this year in February just before the virus was declared a pandemic. The pandemic has disrupted global economic activity, created uncertainty, and weakened global growth conditions.”

The Ambassador said both the Ghanaian and South African economies have not been spared with Gross Domestic Product (GDP) projected to fall.

“The scale of this COVID-19 pandemic has deepened the need for strategic partnership between state and non-state actors, especially the private sector,” said Xingwana.

The Ambassador said the revival of the South African and Ghanaian economies is in the hands of the private sectors and governments of the two countries as they prepare for the stimulation of the inter-continental trade through the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), scheduled to start early 2021.

“I wish to encourage the business community to seize the unimaginable opportunities to be facilitated by the AfCFTA implementation. I strongly urge all business to heed the clarion call by our leaders to collaborate in developing a wider economic recovery and reconstruction,” she said.

To date there are over 100 South African companies that are operating in Ghana.

“There are over 132 South African Companies registered in Ghana employing more than 19 000 Ghanaians and 510 expatriates. Over the past ten years, South African companies have undertaken over 167 projects in Ghana valued in excess of $1 billion in capital investments. The shared growth between the two countries should focus on industrialisation driven by value-addition of the productive sectors of the economy as well as skills development for the economies,” said Xingwana.

The webinar which will conclude on Wednesday, is being held under the theme “Developing Afrocentric Solutions and Forging Partnership in Response to COVID-19”.