Category: COVID-19 Corona Virus

The number of new COVID-19 cases identified on Wednesday is 8 686, bringing the number of infections since the outbreak to 529 877.

With 414 new fatalities reported in the last 24 hours, the death toll now stands at 9 298.

Of the additional deaths, 135 were recorded in the Eastern Cape, 122 from Free State, 62 from KwaZulu-Natal, 45 from Gauteng, 34 from the Western Cape and 16 from Mpumalanga.

The hardest-hit provinces are Gauteng with 185 282 cases, Western Cape 98 031, KwaZulu-Natal 87 798 and Eastern Cape 80 400.

The Free State has 25 232 cases, North West 20 686, Mpumalanga 17 135, Limpopo 9 625 and Northern Cape 5 638.

Fifty cases have still not been allocated.

“The number of recoveries currently stands at 377 266, which translates to a recovery rate of 71%,” Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize, said.

A total of 3 113 191 tests have been conducted, with 34 989 new tests conducted since the last report.

In his update address on Wednesday, the Minister said while he is cautiously optimistic about the decrease of infections, it is still too early to make definite conclusions regarding the observed decline.

“We need to continue to track all these indicators and ensure that our testing capacity reflects a realist picture of our epidemiological status. We will therefore only know for sure when there is a consistent decline over a period,” Mkhize said.

According to the World Health Organisation, there are 18 354 342 cases and 696 147 deaths worldwide.

The first team of experts from the World Health Organisation, who will assist South Africa in its fight against Coronavirus, is set to arrive in the country today.

A total of 43 senior experts from across the globe, including renowned specialists Dr David Heymann (a seasoned infectious disease epidemiologist and public health expert) and Dr Mike Ryan, are among the team that will assist the country to refine its efforts against the pandemic.

“Dr Mike Ryan will lead the team from Geneva and will… provide us with constant advice while analysing our strategies, including the decisions we have taken as the Department of Health in our COVID-19 response,” said Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize.

The Minister made the announcement during a virtual briefing on Wednesday where he provided an update on government’s efforts to fight Coronavirus.

The arrival of the team of experts comes as South Africa ranks in the top five globally in terms of the number of infections.

Making the announcement, Mkhize thanked WHO Director General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, for his continuous support and counsel.

“We see this as a great opportunity not only to improve our health strategies during this pandemic, but also to accelerate our path towards health care reform,” said the Minister.

The first 17 experts will touch down on South African soil today and will complete a period of quarantine and initiation before being deployed within the department and across various provinces.

South Africa has benefitted from treatment developments, which have led to a reduction in the mortality rate, as COVID-19 infections surge.

“It appears we may have benefitted from treatment developments as we were experiencing our surge.

“Our indications are that there has already been an improvement in the survival rate from ICU, where the mortality has been reduced demonstrably. One study shows ICU mortality has been reduced by about 25% since the introduction of dexamethasone on 16 June,” said Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize, during a virtual COVID-19 update briefing on Wednesday.

In another study undertaken by the Medical Research Council, ICU survival rates showed a dramatic improvement at 30% – 40%, whereas the ICU mortality rate at the beginning of the pandemic was around 80%.

Bed, oxygen and staff capacity

In its assessment on the availability of beds, oxygen and staff, the Health Department said it has not breached its bed capacity and continues to fill vacancies where there are gaps.

“While there have been constraints, work has been done to ensure vacancies are filled. However, we can also confirm that we have not breached our bed capacity and many of our field hospitals are not filled to capacity. We continue to monitor this as we manage the surge,” said the Minister.

While the country has experienced challenges, Mkhize said South Africa has thus far coped with the surge.

“I want to submit, with all humility, that up to now, our government has displayed its readiness and has thus far coped with the surge,” he said.

While government is coping with the surge in infections, the department has directed all provinces to enter into service level agreements with private health facilities to ensure that when bed shortages are experienced, alternatives can be explored.

Update on vaccines

On efforts to finding a vaccine, Mkhize said while it is still early days, government has undertaken to get involved and invest in the development of a vaccine against the novel Coronavirus.

“Currently, we are participating in the ChAdOx-1 study and in the COVAX project to be part of the global research initiatives, as well as access to vaccine programmes. We also wish to pursue the possibility of manufacturing vaccines locally.”

Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize, says while South Africa is making progress in its fight against the Coronavirus, it is still too early to claim the victory of a decline.

“There were reports that the hospitals were full and we went around confirmed that it is admission areas that were filling up. The field hospital beds have never been full and even today we have not filled Nasrec. However the trends are now decreasing but we are not out of the woods yet,” said Mkhize.

The Minister was speaking during a virtual briefing on Wednesday where he provided an update on the country’s efforts to fight the Coronavirus.

To determine if the country is indeed on the brink of decline, the Minister said key indicators such as hospital admissions, hospital capacity and the mortality rate must be taken into account.

Mkhize said despite the surge, the country has not breached hospital capacity; has a low mortality rate and has seen reduced hospital admissions and patients under investigation presenting in health facilities.

“Whilst we are cautiously optimistic, it is still too early for us to make definite conclusions regarding the observed decline. We need to continue to track all these indicators and ensure that our testing capacity reflects a realist picture of our epidemiological status.

“We will therefore only know for sure when there is a consistent decline over a period,” he said.

As of Tuesday, South Africa recorded 521 318 COVID-19 cases with 345 new COVID-19 related deaths pushing the death to 8 884.

“We are happy that even with the targeted testing approach which we adopted as a department based on the Ministerial Advisory Committee advice, our testing numbers continue to grow. To date we have tested 3 078 202.

“This translates to a testing rate of 51 514 per million population which compares well to global figures,” said the Minister.

As part of improving the records of COVID-19 related deaths in response to reports on excess deaths, the Minister announced that his department now requires that all the sudden deaths and those that occur at home must have specimens taken for COVID-19 before a death certificate is issued.

Mkhize said while containment measures such as the wearing of masks, sanitizing of hands and social distancing are working, the risk of experiencing a second wave remains a possibility.

“The containment measures being implemented are assisting however, we must not be complacent.

“The real risk of experiencing the ‘second wave’ of the pandemic remains, so containment measures must never be abandoned,” he said.

Until the country is completely safe, the Minister said government will keep reviewing restrictions and, if necessary certain restrictions will still remain in place.

Following Wednesday’s update, the Health Minster said he will be tabling recommendations to the National Coronavirus Command Council on the way forward.

“We will be tabling recommendations to the National Coronavirus Command Council and therefore at some point during the course of next week we should be able to get further guidance from the national Command Council and the President,” he said.

The Department of Health on Tuesday said 345 more people have died of COVID-19-related illnesses, among them two children.

Of the additional deaths, 116 are from Gauteng, 97 from the Western Cape, 89 from KwaZulu-Natal and 43 from the Eastern Cape, bringing the tally to 8 884.

The KwaZulu-Natal Health Department said two children died from COVID-19, a three-month-old baby girl and a four-year-old boy.

The province explained that 89 deaths did not occur in the past 24 hours. “However, due to late reporting and a high number of patients dying as persons under investigation (PUIs), there is a delay in reporting them,” the KwaZulu-Natal Health Department said.

Meanwhile, with 4 456 new identified COVID-19 infections, the country now has 521 318 cases to date.

The hardest-hit provinces include Gauteng with 183 090 cases, Western Cape 97 261, KwaZulu-Natal 85 986 and Eastern Cape 79 844.

The Free State has had 24 333 infections since the outbreak, North West 20 270, Mpumalanga 15 716, Limpopo 9 389 and Northern Cape 5 379.

Fifty are still unallocated.

“The number of recoveries currently stands at 363 751 which translates to a recovery rate of 69.8%,” the Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize, said.

In addition, the total number of tests conducted to date is 3 078 202 of which 19 507 were done since the last report.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), there are 18 142 718 cases worldwide and 691 013 deaths.

“With over 18 million cases reported, and new cases rising by around 250 000 each day, now is not the time to be complacent,” WHO said.

“As some economies and societies open up, WHO continues to urge the public to remain vigilant and take precautions to avoid getting COVID-19; while urging countries to increase testing and contact tracing to ensure no cases are missed and ensure appropriate treatment is available.”

The novel Coronavirus cannot be passed on to babies through breast milk, says Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize.

“I can assure you that COVID-19 has not been found in breast milk and research evidence has shown that the virus is not transmitted through breast milk or by giving breast milk that has been expressed from a mother who is confirmed or suspected to have COVID-19,” he said.

Speaking during the World Breastfeeding Week virtual commemoration on Tuesday, the Minister said breast milk remains the best nutrition for babies even during the COVID-19 pandemic.

He said government remains committed to improving the health of babies during the global pandemic under the theme “Support breastfeeding for a healthier South Africa”.

“We are mindful that families, mothers, caregivers and even some healthcare workers, in particular, are worried and asking many questions whether the Coronavirus can be passed on through breast milk and how can they protect themselves and their babies.”

According to Mkhize, great progress has been made in studying mothers and babies who have been affected by COVID-19 and breastfeeding in the context of COVID-19 came under the spotlight.

“Based on these studies, mothers who have been suspected as or confirmed COVID-19 positive are encouraged to continue breastfeeding while practising good respiratory hygiene,” he added.

These include wearing a mask, washing hands with soap and water, or using hand sanitiser and routinely cleaning and disinfecting surfaces.

“A baby’s immune system is not yet fully developed and requires immune protection from breast milk. This life-saving protection is more important than ever right now during the COVID-19 pandemic,” he stressed.

Benefits of breastfeeding

Nursing can protect children from many other illnesses and conditions such as diarrhoea, chest infections, diabetes and heart disease.

“Nearly half of diarrhoea episodes and one-third of respiratory infections are due to lack of breastfeeding,” he said.

Meanwhile, breastfeeding also offers children long-lasting protection against conditions such as diabetes, cancer, asthma and malnutrition.

It is not only good for the infants but has benefits for mothers too.

It can also reduce the chances of women getting breast, ovarian and endometrial cancers.

“In addition, breastfeeding facilitates bonding between baby and mom by triggering the release of large amounts of oxytocin. This is the same hormone that causes the uterus to contract thus reducing the chances of postpartum haemorrhage.

“It’s nature’s way of protecting the physical and mental wellbeing of mothers and babies in the first critical years of life.”

Weaning

Weaning children too early can lead to malnutrition especially in children under five, Mkhize pointed out.

The 2016 Demographic Health Survey South Africa has an estimated  27.4% (1 in 4 children) under the age of five being stunted, or low height for age and 3% wasted or low weight for height.

“Stunting is a result of chronic undernutrition. Stunting during the first two years of life is particularly damaging and may be irreversible,” he said.

Prolonged undernutrition can also compromise a child’s physical and mental development and expose them to a higher risk of getting diseases like heart disease and diabetes in adulthood.

“Furthermore, our current levels of exclusive breastfeeding [of] 1 in 4 children (32%) is not good enough,” he said, adding that babies should be exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life.

Meanwhile, breastfeeding should begin within the first hour after birth – regardless of the mother’s HIV status, he said.

“Women must be able to feed their babies anywhere, anytime, without feeling any shame in doing so. We call on all men and women to support natural breastfeeding in any environment whether it be work, in public places, in gatherings, churches or even at home when other people enter into that space.”

Donated breast milk

The Minister said donated breast milk remains critical in managing children who cannot breastfeed for various reasons.

“The vast majority of these patients are premature babies who benefit enormously from the properties contained in breast milk.”

The Minister urged all healthcare workers to contact the nearest Breast Bank if they require breast milk for patients while also assuring them that there is adequate stock at this stage.

Immunisation

Meanwhile, he said the department has noted with concern of children missing their vaccination schedules for fear of visiting a facility and contracting COVID-19.

“Many of the illnesses we vaccinate against – such as measles, polio and meningitis are much more dangerous for children than COVID-19.”

He has assured parents and caregivers that health facilities have a triage mechanism whereby patients with flu-like illnesses are separated.

“This is to ensure that access to quality health care is not compromised during the COVID-19 surge.”

National Assembly Speaker Thandi Modise is considering requests for Parliament to address COVID-19 corruption allegations.

This follows a request from the Democratic Alliance (DA) and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) to Modise for Parliament to address allegations of corruption around COVID-19 relief funding.

“The DA, through its parliamentary leader, John Steenhuisen, has requested a scheduling of a debate of urgent national public importance on corruption related to COVID-19 tenders, with President Cyril Ramaphosa also appearing to provide answers about how he will act on the allegations.

“The EFF Chief Whip, Floyd Shivambu, has requested the establishment of a special committee (ad hoc committee of inquiry) to investigate the alleged corruption committed in the COVID-19 procurement of protective personal equipment, food parcels and other COVID-19 related expenses,” Parliament spokesperson Moloto Mothapo said on Tuesday.

Mothapo said the Speaker is considering the two requests, and will revert to the DA and EFF in due course.

A number of police stations have shut down for decontamination after members in different provinces tested positive for COVID-19.

Bronville, Kopanong, Virginia, Mangaung, Sun City and Delmas police stations are among those affected.

In the Free State, the Bronville Community Service Centre (CSC) will temporarily operate from the United Apostolic Faith Church and the number to be used during closure is 082 466 6708.

The Kopanong CSC will operate from the Victim Empowerment Centre situated at the back of the police station.

The numbers to be used for emergencies are: Station Commander – 082 370 9600; Detective Commander – 082 301 6383.

The Virginia CSC will operate from the Detective Building located on Civic Road. The alternative numbers to be used are 057-9108280/1/; Station Commander – 079 505 3222; Visible Policing Commander – 082 465 3011.

The SAPS Mangaung CSC will operate from a mobile unit placed outside the police station. For any emergencies and complaints, the community can contact the station commander, Brig Winnie Mokalake – 082 491 3029; Colonel Lefela – 063 688 2692.

In the North West province, SAPS Sun City police station will now operate from a mobile CSC placed in front of the police station. The old police station telephone number is not working, but the station can be reached on 0609877595.

In Mpumalanga, the SAPS Delmas police station CSC telephone lines will not be accessible for the duration of the closure. For this reason, members of the community who need assistance should contact 082 352 3460; Station Commander Colonel Sipho Sithole – 082 0651 028.

The SAPS management has apologised for any inconvenience caused.

Staffing and spacing is the biggest challenge that will face the public education sector when schools welcome all learners on 24 August 2020.

This is according to Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga who on Tuesday paid a visit to Eletsa Secondary School and Tshepagalang Secondary School in Letlhabile, Brits to monitor the return of Grade 12 learners to schools.

The visit follows a weeklong break following various calls in the education sector to suspend schooling as COVID-19 infections surged in the country.

Grade 12s returned to the classroom on Monday and will be followed by the Grade 7s who will return to class on 10 August.

All other grades will return to school on 24 August 2020, after nearly a month’s break from 27 July.

“For now there is space and there is not much really. The problems are going to come after the 24th.

When learners come back we won’t have enough space to ensure physical distancing so we are going to have to use differentiated timetables which are going to be either daily rotations because we can’t all be here at the same time every day, there won’t be enough space for all of them to safely distance,” said the Minister.

To manage the challenge of space, Motshekga said schools will implement a rotational timetable to allow for adequate social distancing in line with the recommended health protocols.

Maintaining that the reopening of schools remains the best decision, the Minister said it would have been catastrophic to cancel the academic year completely.

“For me it is even catastrophic as it is to have kids who have no access to reading materials and ICTS sitting at home since March up to now they have not gone to school.

“For me it is a disaster as even next year when we have trimmed the curriculum we will still not be able to claw back what we have lost,” she said.

Department claws back lost teaching time

In order to make up for the lost teaching time, the department has trimmed the curriculum nationally. Parts of the 2020 curriculum will be carried over into 2021.

“What we have done for the internal grades is to take parts of the curriculum of 2020 into the 2021 so we are going to only teach and assess them on only 70% of the curriculum.

“We are not going to dump the work we missed, we are going to factor it into 2021,” said Motshekga.

Having carried over parts of the 2020 curriculum into 2021, the Minster said it is unlikely that schools would be able to complete the 2021 curriculum.

“So it is going to be a three-year programme to see if we can claw back what we have lost. Every school is looking at its own situation with the curriculum, and what are some of the available resources.

“What remains for the Grade 12 is that their paper has been set. They are writing a paper that has been set since two years ago. Because the cycle for the paper is 18 months.

“That is why we pushed the exam to December and we are not giving them a break to allow them to finish,” she said.

By pushing back the 2020 Grade 12 examinations to conclude by 15 December, they would have made up the lost time due to the pandemic.

Home Schooling

While the department has left home schooling as an option for parents anxious about the Coronavirus, the Minister said all indications show that many are not taking it up.

“We even checked with the Home Schooling Association and parents didn’t take up home schooling. Without speaking to parents my view is that it is also not easy to home school. You have to register your child and you also have to arrange for assessments and sometimes parents themselves don’t have the time and capability to monitor the programme and that is why most of them didn’t take it up,” she said.

Motshekga said while the department is leaving no stone unturned to ensure the safety of children, parents who still want to keep their children at home must register for home schooling.

“As far as we are concerned we are doing all we can to make sure that children are safe but, rightfully as a parent, if you continue to feel that your child is not safe do the right thing and register your child for home schooling, develop a programme and keep your child at home,” she said.

South Africa now has 516 862 COVID-19 cases, after 5 378 new infections were identified on Tuesday.

The number of new cases shows a slight decline since 23 June 2020 when the country recorded 4 523 new infections.

However, 173 more fatalities have been reported, pushing the death toll to 8 539 since the outbreak.

Of the new deaths, 45 are from Mpumalanga, 37 from Gauteng, 31 from the Western Cape, 28 from the North West, 20 from the Eastern Cape and 12 from KwaZulu-Natal.

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

Gauteng remains the epicentre of the pandemic in South Africa with 181 946 cases followed by the Western Cape with 97 076 infections.

KwaZulu-Natal is now the third-hardest hit province with 84 361 cases, the Eastern Cape becoming the province with the fourth-highest number of infections with 79 674 cases.

The Free State has 23 705 cases, North West 20 149, Mpumalanga 15 395, Limpopo 9 204 and Northern Cape 5 302.

Fifty cases are still unallocated.

Meanwhile, the recovery rate stands at 69% after 358 037 people have recovered from the virus.

Also, 3 058 695 have been tested of which 21 916 were done in the last 24 hours, the lowest number of tests since 2 June.

Globally, there are 17 918 582 cases and 686 703 deaths, according to the World Health Organisation.