Category: COVID-19 Corona Virus

The Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) is to continue processing COVID-19 temporary employee/employer relief scheme (TERS) new claims for April and May until a cut-off date is announced.

UIF Commissioner Teboho Maruping said this is in line with the agreement reached by the Department of Employment and Labour, and the National Economic Development and Labour Council (Nedlac) social partners to extend the 14-day window period for new COVID-19 TERS applications made for April and May.

The 14-day notice window period is still to be announced, and employers and employees will have an opportunity to submit applications before the cut-off date.

Maruping said the UIF is working tirelessly to ensure that all valid COVID-19 TERS benefits claims for April, May and June are settled, as it gears up to open the system for the new extended period of six weeks, ending on 15 August 2020.

“There are numerous challenges to handling applications. However, detailed FAQ [frequently asked questions] guiding employers to handle any error codes will be issued to enable processing for payment.  To reduce the number of outstanding claims, the UIF is re-running updates on declarations on the system twice a week.

“Added to that, the UIF makes payments every day, except on Sundays, in order to fast-track outstanding claims. The Fund is also working on a number of front-end adjustments to the system to enable applicants to fix some of the errors on their own, which will greatly ease the load on our side and improve the flow,” Maruping said.

The UIF also expressed its appreciation for the collaboration and support received from employers, bargaining councils and other organisations across the board to resolve outstanding claims.

He said incidents of fraud have prompted the Fund to introduce the verification of banking details before payment is released into the applicant’s bank account.

“The UIF is reliant on banks to ensure bank details verification.  In instances where claims have failed bank verification, we appeal to employers to update the banking details on the system. The process to be followed will be outlined in the FAQs that will soon be made available on the department’s website and the TERS online system,” Maruping said.

Maruping said the Fund has made this activity the responsibility of the client because of its sensitive nature, but most importantly, it removes the potential of officials meddling with client’s private information.

R37 billion benefit claims paid

As the Fund  prepares to open the system for COVID-19 TERS benefit claims for July and August, Maruping said an amount of R37 133 662 558.77 has so far been paid for 693 561 applications, benefitting 8 298 307 workers.

“With the testimonies that we are receiving, it is quite clear to us that these disbursements have made a real difference to millions of people dependent on the workers who received these cash injections. As the Fund, it is an honour for us to have played this part and will do so until 15 August, armed with learnings from the past three months.

“The Fund will leverage its resources to ensure that it continues to process those claims that are in the system and honour those that are valid, in line with commitment it has made to various parliamentary committees and the workers in this country,” Maruping said.

The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture has, through its COVID-19 Relief Fund, disbursed R61 million to beneficiaries in the creative and sport sectors.

Addressing a virtual media briefing on Monday, the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Nathi Mthethwa, said his department received a total number of 5 322 applications in the categories of sport, digital, as well as arts, culture and heritage.

“Through the adjudication and appeals processes, 4 602 applications were then recommended. A total of 1 570 were not recommended. There are currently 117 outstanding applications being finalised by the department,” the Minister said.

The COVID-19 Relief Fund was established to support the sectors as they are amongst those hardest hit by the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Second wave of relief

In response to the plight of practitioners in the sector, the department has conceptualised a second wave of relief. The second wave will take into account the shortcomings and experiences of the first rollout.

“In conceptualising the second wave of relief, the department listened to the plight of practitioners. The department further conducted a number of consultations with those who were involved in the process of administering relief, including, amongst others, sector organisations, panellists and our national entities,” the Minister said.

Mthethwa said his department has taken into consideration the commitments for the unpaid beneficiaries in the first phase, estimated at R34 million.

“For the second phase, the amount that is allocated for relief is R77 million, of which R11 million is been ring-fenced for contribution towards the partnership with the Department of Small Business Development,” the Minister said.

The department has partnered with Department of Small Business Development (DSBD) to assist the Cultural and Creative Industries Federation of South Africa (CCIFSA) for the craft, design and visual arts sectors in relief.

The two departments have agreed to jointly set aside R22 million for this project.

“A Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) will be entered into on how the funds will be administered. [Selection] criteria and the appointment of an adjudication panel are currently being finalised. The relevant industry bodies will be consulted for their expertise. Hopefully by end of August, the process of distribution will commence,” the Minister said.

CCIFSA and other organisations will be integral in the planning of the second phase of COVID-19 Relief Funding.

They will be given a platform to outline their plans in supporting their members.

All applications in the sports sector must be submitted through national federations.

Solidarity Fund

The Solidarity Fund has made available 10 000 food or cash vouchers of R700 to the department, amounting to R 7 million.

“The department will, together with the provinces, develop a list of beneficiaries that will receive vouchers. Beneficiaries will be identified in both urban and rural areas. Those that are receiving social grants and Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) will be excluded from benefiting,” the Minister said.

The vouchers will be made available to athletes, artists, freelancers and other eligible practitioners.

They will be distributed by channels identified by the Solidarity Fund. The department is currently in the process of finalising the MoU with the Solidarity Fund.

The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has introduced new flexible methods recipients can use to receive their R350 grant, which will be paid until the end of October.

Recipients are now allowed to move their cash from the Post Office to a bank account of their choice, or vice versa. They may even change banks or choose a cash send option.

Clients who opt for cash send must also use the cell phone registered in their name only.

This means clients now have an opportunity to receive their grants at their chosen and convenient outlets.

Applications to switch payment options are open from today (Monday, 3 August) to Sunday, 9 August, 24 hours a day.

Approved applicants or clients of the COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress Grant can change their payment preference by visiting https://srd.sassa.gov.za.

The R350 is aimed at unemployed South Africans, who are not receiving any other official financial assistance, as the country grapples with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to SASSA, the responses to frequently asked questions about the relief grant can be found on the WhatsApp platform on 082 046 8553 or SASSA website www.sassa.gov.za.

The Department of Basic Education has released a revised school calendar for the 2020 academic year.

“In terms of the new version of the calendar, schools will resume on 24 August 2020. There are 163 actual school days for teachers and 156 for learners,” the department said on Saturday.

The school year will be completed on 15 December 2020 for Grades R-11.

“A break in school will be needed to separate the third and fourth terms. As a result there will be a one week break in October from the 26th to the 30th. The teaching, learning and assessment for the 2020 academic year must be concluded by 15 December 2020 for Grades R-11,” the department said.

The 2020 Grade 12 examinations will be completed by 15 December and the marking will be concluded on 22 January with results released on 23 February 2021.

The new school year will commence on 25 January 2021 for teachers and learners a few days later.

The calendar will be gazetted and published this week.

“The Minister will issue directions for the basic education sector this coming week. The directions will provide guidance on various matters affecting the basic education sector,” the department said.

The review of the school calendar comes after a Cabinet decision that schools should break for four weeks.

In his address to the nation last month, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that schools will close on 27 July and re-open on 24 August.

“The department considered the impact of the decision on the current calendar. The policy process to amend the school calendar commenced taking into account the urgency of the matter as necessitated by the prevalent COVID-19 environment.

“The consultation process has been concluded with all stakeholders and the Council of Education Ministers approved the revised school calendar,” the department said.

This is the second time this year that the school calendar has been revised to accommodate the changes that have been brought by the impact of the Coronavirus.

With 8 195 new identified cases, South Africa now has 511 485 people, who have contracted the novel Coronavirus.

The country recorded 213 deaths on Sunday, bringing the death toll to 8 366.

Of the additional fatalities, the Free State reported 51 deaths, Western Cape 43, Gauteng 40, KwaZulu-Natal 31, Eastern Cape 25 and Limpopo 23.

The country’s epicentre, Gauteng, now has 180 532 recorded infections, Western Cape 96 838, KwaZulu-Natal 82 300 and Eastern Cape 79 410.

The Free State has 23 099 reported infections, North West 19 961, Mpumalanga 15 120, Limpopo 9 044 and Northern Cape 5 131.

Fifty cases are still unallocated.

On Saturday, President Cyril Ramaphosa said the daily increase in infections appears to be stabilising, particularly in the Western Cape, Gauteng and Eastern Cape.

“While it may be too soon to draw firm conclusions, this suggests that the prevention measures that South Africans have implemented are having an effect.

“Our recovery rate is currently around 68%. Our case fatality rate, which is the number of deaths as a proportion of confirmed cases, remains at 1.6%, significantly lower than the global average,” the President said, adding that the country has only the 36th highest number of deaths as a proportion of the population.

However, he urged citizens to remain vigilant until there are zero cases in the country.

According to the Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize, more than three million people have been tested, with 34 794 tests done in the last 24 hours, while 347 227 people have recovered to date.

Globally, there are over 17.6 million cases and 680 894 deaths to date, according to the World Health Organisation.

Processes to finalise a R25 million investment to boost pan-African vaccine manufacturing is currently underway, says President Cyril Ramaphosa.

This announcement was made during a virtual National COVID-19 Conference on Friday.

The conference, which brought together scientists, governments, business and civil society from all over the world, provided a platform for open discussions and contribute to a greater understanding of the impact of COVID-19 on society and the economy.

The conference focused on health innovations and technologies, and social and economic sustainability during and after the pandemic.

Higher Education, Science and Innovation Minister, Dr Blade Nzimande, delivered the President’s address to the conference on his behalf.

In the address, the President said the international community is unanimous in that services, supplies, products and technologies for prevention, treatment and care of COVID-19 must be available to all.

No country must be left behind, he said.

Constraints

In addition, resource constraints pose a very real barrier to the ability of vulnerable countries to manage the pandemic.

“Science, technology and innovation has proven to be an important tool for generating valuable insights and for the delivery of effective solutions. A platform such as this one enables scientists, governments, business and civil society to engage in open discussion, to share experiences and best practice, and to chart the way ahead.”

While behavioural change is a key element in fighting the pandemic, the President also spoke of the need to develop technological solutions.

“We know that every strategy to manage COVID-19 must focus on behavioural change, and that social distancing and proper hygiene are our safest and best bets at this time. By equal measure, we must continue to work tirelessly to develop technological solutions that meet our most pressing challenge, and that is resource scarcity,” said President Ramaphosa.

Finding solutions

The President also announced that the country would soon witness the very first ventilators produced by the South African National Ventilator Project coming off the assembly line at a factory in Cape Town.

“These locally-produced ventilators will complement existing stock in the public and private health system and those purchased from or donated by other countries,” President Ramaphosa said.

President Ramaphosa also noted that a number of South African innovators have taken up the challenge of addressing the need for COVID-19 solutions.

These included the bulk-production of hand sanitisers, developing self-screening assessment tools in local languages and pioneering contact-tracing applications.

Investing in Africa

President Ramaphosa reiterated that the COVID-19 pandemic must be a clarion call for African nations to invest in what is already a vibrant pan-African science and innovation ecosystem.

The President said investment in research and innovation has enabled South Africa to respond effectively to the pandemic.

“We have been able to support the national COVID-19 response in critical areas, including the development and provision of diagnostic tools, ventilators and personal protective equipment, and in epidemiological modelling and data analytics.”

Research and innovation

Since the outbreak of the pandemic, South Africa has been able to harness innovations like telemedicine to protect patients and healthcare workers from exposure to the virus.

“The introduction of COVID Connect has enabled over 6 million citizens and healthcare workers to access information on the pandemic through mobile messaging platforms. South African researchers are working in collaboration with international vaccine developers around a potential COVID-19 vaccine.

“The South African Medical Research Council (MRC) and the Department of Science and Innovation have provided R10 million funding for the first South African COVID-19 vaccine trial. Our researchers and scientists have the expertise to develop human vaccines, having been involved in the development of several other vaccines,” said the President.

However, the President said, it is not just in the research space that the country has demonstrated its capability.

“We also have important laboratory infrastructure. The National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS) has contracted with a number of universities and government-funded platforms to assist with additional capacity to conduct COVID-19 testing. We have also developed a pathway for the potential production of COVID-19 vaccines locally.

“South Africa is part of a traditional medicine panel set up in partnership with the World Health Organization to assist in developing protocols for various aspects of traditional medicine usage. The MRC has also brought together a number of government, academic and industry partners to support the development and local production of diagnostic kits and reagents for COVID-19,” he said.

The President emphasised that harnessing the potential of science, technology and innovation for vaccine production, and other manufacturing is not just about security of supply, but it is also about boosting local capabilities, supporting local industries and creating jobs.

Rebuilding economies

He said strategic partnerships in science, technology and innovation will play an important role in South Africa’s economic recovery.

He said opportunities in sectors like low-carbon energy and circular and green economies should be explored, as countries strive to rebuild their economies.

“There is immense potential for kick-starting economic growth in the uptake of innovation and in driving technological solutions for the delivery of services. It is crucial that we maintain the momentum of international cooperation and solidarity to ensure inclusivity not just in the provision of life-saving therapeutics for COVID-19, but also in sustainable economic recovery.

The President said science, technology and innovation are key to healthier populations, productivity and progress.

“It is of the utmost importance that they remain a public good. As we collectively strive to overcome this pandemic, we must share experience and expertise.”

In addition, countries must pool resources through joint investments, data sharing and reciprocal access to research infrastructure.

“We must reinforce global solidarity through science diplomacy. This conference provides a valuable platform to advance these efforts and to affirm the absolute necessity of health innovation as a vital resource for the common good,” President Ramaphosa said.

The Bronkhorstspruit Labour Centre in Gauteng has been temporarily closed for decontamination after registering its first case of COVID-19.

Gauteng Provincial Operations Chief Director, Tshepo Mokomatsidi, said the office will reopen next week Monday, and will operate with a skeleton staff, as some of the employees will be on self-quarantine.

“The well-being and safety of our officials and clients is our top priority. We are closely monitoring the evolving impact on our offices and implementing ongoing measures to ensure their health and safety, while also maintaining the highest level of service to our clients.

“We will continue to tailor our approach to meet our clients’ specific needs, and will adjust and continue communicating with them as circumstances change,” Mokomatsidi said.

Mokomatsidi has assured clients that services will continue uninterrupted at the nearby offices, and officials will communicate regularly with them throughout this time.

The department’s Director-General, Thobile Lamati, said although the department is concerned about the backlog in service delivery as a result of temporary office closures, of paramount importance is the health and safety of clients and employees.

“Our officials are an important cog of the working of the South African economy and as such, we will also ensure that they are as safe as possible,” Lamati said.

Clients are encouraged to use the department’s online services found on www.labour.gov.za and toll free number 0800 030 007 for UIF enquiries.

South Africa recorded 315 more deaths due to COVID-19.

A total of 121 deaths were recported in the Eastern Cape, 96 in Gauteng, 55 in KwaZulu-Natal, 34 in the Western Cape and nine in the North West.

This brings the cumulative number of deaths to 7 812 as of Thursday, Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize, said.

The total number of confirmed cases has risen to 482 169 after 11 046 more people contracted the virus since the last report.

Gauteng remains the hardest-hit province with 171 574 cases, followed by the Western Cape 94 440, Eastern Cape 77 055 and KwaZulu-Natal 73 919.

Free State has recorded 20 398 cases, North West 18 811, Mpumalanga 13 280, Limpopo 8 240 and Northern Cape 4 402.

Fifty cases have still not been allocated.

A reported 309 601 people have recovered since the outbreak, which translates to a recovery rate of 64%. A total of 2 918 049 tests have been conducted, with 44 886 having been done in the last 24 hours.

Globally, there are 16 812 755 cases and 662 095 deaths, according to the World Health Organisation.

The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) says it can make enough enzyme for one billion chemical reactions that can be applied in COVID-19 testing, and researchers hope to begin supplying reagents for a faster, one-step test by the end of the year.

Current polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests for the presence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in nasal and throat swabs involve two steps.

Firstly, the virus’s genetic material, its RNA, must be converted to DNA using an enzyme called reverse transcriptase, in a reaction called RT-PCR.

Secondly, PCR is then used to make thousands of copies of the DNA, until there are enough of these tiny molecules to detect.

If the test detects the targeted DNA copies, there must have been viral RNA in the sample, hence the test is positive.

“The CSIR has already established a highly efficient technology to produce the enzyme needed for the second step,” says senior researcher Dr Lusisizwe Kwezi.

“This enzyme is known as DNA Taq polymerase, and just three grams of the protein, produced in E. coli bacteria in as little as three days, is enough for a billion PCR reactions,” Kwezi said.

This does not equate to COVID-19 tests for a billion people because, among other technical reasons, diagnostic tests must be carefully repeated several times for each patient to ensure accurate results. But it does mean that a huge amount of this important reagent is available locally and affordably.

Another benefit of the reagent mix is that it contains a special antibody that stops the Taq enzyme from working when it is not needed. This makes it more specific when it has to amplify DNA during the PCR reaction, and more robust for potential future point-of-care testing devices.

Kwezi said earlier this month, the CSIR delivered a 3 g batch to local company CapeBio Technologies (Pty) Ltd, which has licensed and commercialised the technology.

It will be rolled out to support the national testing effort as soon as CapeBio gets approval from the South African Health Products Regulation Authority (SAHPRA).

Thanks to funding just awarded through the Strategic Health Innovation Partnership – a partnership between the South African Medical Research Council and the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) – the CSIR and CapeBio are now working to add the reverse transcriptase enzyme to the mix as well, so that the two-step COVID-19 PCR test can be done in a single step. This will reduce the turnaround time of tests.

The antibody will be produced in plants rather than in E. coli, and Kwezi says the resulting one-step kit could be ready for national roll-out within six months, pending SAHPRA approval.

He said local availability of large amounts of such affordable ‘plug-and-play’ reagents, which also allow for faster results delivered to patients, will be critical in managing the pandemic in the long-term.

Members of the public will once again be able to access the country’s botanical gardens to exercise from 3 August 2020.

Permission for access for exercise purposes only was published in the Amended Directions for the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries in Government Gazette 43564 (Notice No. 822) on 28 July 2020.

“The gardens have been closed to the public for four months. Reopening the gardens will allow those who frequent for exercise to enjoy the privilege. Any access and use is subject to strict COVID-19 health protocols,” Minister of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries, Barbara Creecy, said on Thursday.

The South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) manages the country’s 11 botanical gardens in eight provinces. Each garden represents a variety of South Africa’s rich biodiversity.

No social gathering, picnics or public events will be allowed. Commercial facilities in the gardens, such as restaurants, have been allowed to open under alert level 3, subject to prescribed regulations for the respective areas of business.

“Business conferences and meetings limited to 50 people, excluding those who participate via electronic platforms, may be allowed under controlled conditions outlined in government regulations that promote health protocols for such gatherings,” the Minister said.

Daily access to the botanical gardens will be monitored and limited once the safe carrying capacity for the area has been reached.

All visitors will be required to wear face masks, be temperature screened, and complete a tracing register. Gate opening and closing hours will be strictly adhered to.