Category: COVID-19 Corona Virus

It has been widely reported that the country has been facing a shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) in the last few months. This equipment is crucial for healthcare workers to protect themselves from contracting COVID-19 while attending to patients.

 

Many sectors of society, including business, responded to the shortage by donating PPE equipment to the national Department of Health as well as provincial departments of health.

Katekani Ngobeni, a senior researcher at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), has been at the forefront of advising officials on whether the protective gear is safe for use, and if it offers sufficient protection for nurses and doctors.

This is at a time when the main response to the pandemic has been guided by the implementation of preventative measures. These measures include social distancing, the regular washing of hands with soap and the wearing of facemasks.

Technical advice is essential in this period of uncertainty on the appropriate protective equipment healthcare workers should use.

“We know that a lot of us were caught off-guard with COVID-19 and we were not prepared for the challenges,” she said in an interview with SAnews.

“So what we did as the CSIR, we offered support to all these different provinces – be it via Zoom (conference calling platform) or via the telephone. [This is] because a lot of people were panicking, especially with the issue where there was a global shortage of respirators.”

Ngobeni said it was expected that there would be some questions and fear from the provincial health departments on how to properly manage COVID-19.

“There were also questions about how to interpret all these constantly updated guidelines and the recommendations that are being reviewed and updated almost on a weekly basis.

“People are receiving donations of respirators that they have never used before and it is not properly regulated in South Africa. Therefore, people are in a state of panic to say how  do we manage this to ensure that our healthcare workers are adequately protected,” she said.

Since the outbreak of COVID-19, the young researcher has been providing ongoing workshops to various provincial health departments struggling to cope with the new reality brought about by COVID-19.

“We have been giving that type of technical support and guidance where provinces come and enquire about how to interpret guidelines, and how to adequately protect employees.”

She carries out these advisory responsibilities by developing and maintaining close working relationships with government departments and implementing partner organisations.

This is in order to ensure that programme activities are carried out within the recommended practice standards based on evidence and international guidelines.

Ngobeni has also facilitated a COVID-19 preparedness course for the South African National Defence Force (SANDF).

In February, Ngobeni presented her work at the first South African COVID-19 Conference.

Held in Pretoria, the gathering was attended by over 250 healthcare professionals who obtained free scholarships from the Health and Welfare Sector Education and Training Authority (HWSETA), co-sponsored by the Foundation for Professional Development (FPD).

“Healthcare workers need critical information about respiratory protection. Hospitals across South Africa are running out of N95 masks, which filter at least 95% of particles that are 0.3 microns or larger, including the new Coronavirus.”

In response to continued respirator shortages, many countries, including South Africa, have resorted to the use of KN95 masks.

“However, currently, there are no specific guidelines in South Africa on which criteria apply for the use of the product, including evidence demonstrating that the respirator is authentic.

“In addition, there is conflicting guidance about the application of these respiratory masks. In order to continue providing technical assistance and capacity building to healthcare workers during this lockdown period, we collaborated with the FPD to provide online training,” she said.

The 34-year-old’s work on Tuberculosis (TB) and personal protective equipment has set the foundation for her as a key player in the fight against the spread of COVID-19.

Of her other achievements, Ngobeni was selected to attend the Building Design and Engineering approaches to Airborne Infection Control training hosted by Harvard University in the United States.

In 2013, she was a runner-up for the JD Roberts Award for emerging researchers under the age of 35 to recognise and celebrate the contributions of younger colleagues within the CSIR.

As Youth Month draws to a close, the young professional has urged young people to play a role in the fight against the virus.

“There is an urgent need to address the challenges in the spread of COVID-19 in South Africa. Young people have a huge role to play during this pandemic. We need to educate ourselves and others, especially those in disadvantaged areas, about the importance of hygiene and living a healthy life.”

This as the number of COVID-19 confirmed cases in South Africa stands at over 144 000 to date. In addition, reports have pointed to healthcare workers who have tested positive for the virus to be at just below two percent.

While the Western Cape and the Eastern Cape have been identified as hotspots for COVID-19, Ngobeni was not at liberty to say which provinces have required the most technical advice on the use of PPEs.

“We are supporting all provinces but obviously there were some provinces that had more challenges than others. It is just that some provinces struggle more than other provinces or they might need more technical assistance and attention as opposed to others who might have resources and have access to such knowledge and information at their disposal,” she said.

Ngobeni and her colleagues at the CSIR form part of several work streams advising on the fight against the virus.

“We have committees at the national Department of Health; we also form part of committees with different regulatory bodies.”

However, the journey to where she is today has not been an easy one for the young woman born in Ka’Ndengeza, which is located outside Giyani in Limpopo.

With her parents in Gauteng, Ngobeni spent life with her grandmother until the third grade. She then joined her parents in Protea Glen, Soweto and attended school at Alpha Primary school. With the relocation, Ngobeni found herself having to repeat Grade 3, due to her not understanding a word of English at the time.

To remedy the situation, her mother bought children’s books for her and in six months’ time, Ngobeni’s fluency in English had improved a great deal.

She went to high school at Lenasia Secondary School, south of Johannesburg, and found inspiration in a young female environmental health practitioner, who was a friend of her mother.

Ngobeni remembers how meeting her mother’s friend sparked the desire to want to follow in the same career path and after matriculating, she enrolled for a National Diploma in Environmental Health with the University of Johannesburg.

Instead of doing her year of community service immediately, she opted to complete her B Tech (equivalent to a degree qualification).

She then completed her year-long community service with the City of Johannesburg, after which the city appointed her as an environmental health practitioner on a full-time basis, servicing health facilities in Johannesburg.

With her career flourishing, Ngobeni moved to the Gauteng Department of Health where she took up the position of chief healthcare officer focussing on waste management in 2010.

She joined the CSIR in 2011 as an infection control specialists focusing on infection, prevention and control.

As part of her work at the CSIR, Ngobeni also hosts workshops for architects to help them design safer buildings as far as infection control is concerned.

“A chunk of our work has been focussed around TB since 2011. We have been solely focussing on TB infection control helping architects [to] design buildings and infrastructure to better create a healthier environment and protect their workers. The challenge currently is that most of our architects are not trained on infection control.”

Architects, she said, were likely to design buildings for aesthetics, not considering the health impact of those designs.

“So we go out to train architects and engineers to now start thinking about how to design a building that looks good but at the same time, start creating a healthy environment for the occupants of that building,” she said.

Since joining the CSIR, Ngobeni has pursued a Master’s degree through the University of Johannesburg, exploring the use of respiratory protection devices in low-income healthcare settings.

While much is still being discovered about COVID-19, young South Africans are putting up their hands alongside healthcare professionals, in the fight against the pandemic.

The Gauteng SAPS has announced the temporary closure of the Diepsloot police station after one of its members tested positive for COVID-19.

 

In a statement, the provincial head office said during this period, the station’s Community Service Centre would operate from the metro police department office, opposite the station.

“The community is advised to call 10111 for all emergencies and complaints which needs to be attended by Diepsloot police station,” read the statement.

During this period, the station’s telephone lines at the Community Service Centre will not be accessible.

“The building will be undergoing decontamination and the community will be informed when the station will be operational again,” said the SAPS.

The SAPS management apologised for any inconvenience that may arise from this.

The Station Commander can be contacted at:  082 828 5767. Relief commander: 082 558 1355.

South Africa cannot expect to have a growing economy if young people are left behind.

 

That was the underlying message by the acting Director-General in the Department of Women, Youth and Person with Disabilities, Annette Griessel.

In her opening remarks during a webinar on the National Youth Policy review in the context of COVID-19 on Monday, she said young people take part in the economy.

“We’re fighting a global pandemic, which is caused by a global health crisis and is affecting all parts of our society. Our own analysis is that the pandemic is reinforcing existing fault lines in society, including exacerbating inequality, poverty and unemployment.”

Citing a recent paper by the United Nations, Griessel said the research confirmed that COVID-19 would have a long-lasting socio-economic impact in all population groups including young people.

Therefore, she said, the pandemic offers an opportunity to create an all-inclusive economy and society, especially where youth is concerned.

“We must ensure that the youth is not left behind concerning health, economic and social relief measures that we’re currently introducing.

“The youth dividend is about ensuring that we proactively invest in young people to include them in the economy, to ensure they have an equal stake in the economy. But we can’t expect to have a growing economy when young people are left out and left behind.”

Griessel said the crux of the National Youth Policy is to serve as an instrument to enable government to think critically about what it can do to build a more inclusive and sustainable future for the youth.

Griessel believes that the pandemic and the recovery strategy should underpin the discussion and force government to think out of the box.

“This is the policy that belongs to the Department of Women, Youth and Person with Disabilities. This must be a policy that belongs to all of us, government and civil society and particularly must have full ownership of young people.”

The webinar, which was held as part of Youth Month, also focused on the numerous consultations with stakeholders to map a clear policy direction, and to ensure the youth of South Africa develop positively and can adjust and thrive in this new reality.

Youth unemployment 

Speaking on behalf of Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, the Head of Department, Mashile Mokono, said health has become the country’s number one priority in the face of Coronavirus, as they try to cushion the youth against the respiratory disease.

“Young people’s education is disrupted, those who were looking for jobs could no longer do so, and they became socially isolated and anxious… The youth are further locked out of the economy.”

Mokono said the department has welcomed all the efforts, including the R500 billion relief to support vulnerable households, individuals and businesses from the effects of COVID-19.

Mokono said government must amplify the voices of the youth and be supported in decision-making positions.

“Investment in young people is an investment in the future of our country, continent and the world.”

The department’s Deputy Minister, Professor Hlengiwe Mkhize, said the main challenge faced by youth is unemployment.

Meanwhile, those living with disability continue to face enormous challenges in the labour market.

“We know the results of lockdown will likely to intensify the problem and threaten livelihoods. Some people have started talking about the third pandemic, which will be the economic recovery.”

Therefore, she said the reduction of youth unemployment and breaking poverty should be a priority.

“Almost six million people want to work but don’t have a job, but the rate of youth unemployment is higher.”

Young people’s many challenges

Senior policy analyst responsible for youth development in the Presidency of South Africa, Dr Bernice Hlagala, said other challenges faced by youngsters include mental illness, alcohol and drug abuse, gender-based violence, poor sexual and reproductive health, as well as HIV prevalence.

“We still have problems like racism, tribalism and other forms of discrimination,” Hlagala said.

Meanwhile, there is a high suicide rate of 13.4 per 100 000 youngsters.

“These challenges continue to affect young people and over and above that, we realise that there are serious challenges of resourcing youth development, where you find there are no human and financial resources to develop young people.”

Young people should find their voice

President and CEO of the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), Professor Glenda Gray, said the youth often bear the brunt of global pandemics.

“If we go back and look at how the youth bore the brunt many times, for example, the legacy of apartheid, which limited their education and vocational potential.”

HIV has also affected young people, especially adolescent girls and young women, she said.

“Women and children also bear the burden of violence and patriarchy; they have double jeopardy when it comes to their sexual rights.”

Meanwhile, they have to battle mental issues, which are aggravated by alcohol abuse and the loss of hope.

“They will bear this impact for years to come. Their studies will also be interrupted and they will lose out on employment opportunities as the economy contracts,” said Gray.

However, she said that this is a chance for youngsters to galvanise their power and forge ahead to be heard.

“We’re very worried about the issues of mental health and how it affects them.”

Gray believes that youth can get involved in the solutions, as the globe fights the war against COVID-19 and help to make a difference for years to come.

“This is an important time for youth to use their power to change the direction of the world and to ask questions about our education system, health system, the lack of equity for youth, and their ability to safeguard their future and become resilient to poverty.”

While international passenger flights remain prohibited, with the exception of those authorised by the Transport Minister, seven more airports are set to resume operations on 1 July 2020.

 

At an aviation industry briefing on Monday, Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula said in addition to the airports (OR Tambo, Lanseria, Cape Town International and King Shaka International) that are currently operational, the following would open on 1 July:

• Bram Fischer International Airport;
• Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport;
• Pietermaritzburg Airport;
• Port Elizabeth International Airport;
• Richardsbay Airport;
• Skukuza Airport, and
• Upington International Airport.

“As more airports are opened, this will naturally increase the number of passengers at airports and therefore measures have been put in place to ensure that passengers are prepared for their experience at the airports to avoid congestion, mainly at security check points,” said Mbalula, noting that operations will have to be managed properly come 1 July.

The Minister said to date the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) has received about 117 standard operating procedures (SOPs) from industry and more than 87 have been approved.

While sanitisers are classified as dangerous goods, the SACAA has made provision for the carrying of such, in limited quantities, as a safety measure and in compliance with existing regulations to prevent the spread of Coronavirus.

For smoother facilitation of passengers at airports, operators have urged the flying community to arrive at least two hours early to allow for sufficient time to process passengers, while adhering to the screening requirements – as per the regulations.

In addition, SACAA has also reviewed its earlier decision of ‘no catering’ on board aircraft by permitting airlines to provide pre-packed meals, which must be placed in front of the seat for each passenger before passengers board the aircraft. This, the Minister said, will allow for minimised movement during flight.

Mbalula said the decision to open more airports was one made after government conducted inspections at the airports, and is satisfied were satisfied with the developments.

“It was critical for us to test the efficiency and impact of the guidelines we issued against the health and safety of the passengers and aviation personnel operating in this space and we are pleased with the progress we have observed to date.

“Like any other area, we are making continuous improvement in areas where we observed challenges, in consultation with the Department of Health representatives, specifically Port Health,” Mbalula said.

Permitted activities

As part of the relaxation of regulations, all aerial work to conduct the following will be permitted from 1 July 2020:
agricultural spraying, seeding and dusting; cloud spraying, seeding and dusting; culling; construction; aerial harvesting; aerial patrol, observation and survey; aerial advertisement, including banner towing and other towing of objects; search and rescue; parachuting; aerial recording by photographic or electronic means; fire spotting, control and fighting, and spraying, seeding or dusting, other than for agricultural purposes and clouds.

General aviation is permitted for the following purposes:

• Approved regional re-positioning flights for all South African and foreign registered aircraft into and from South Africa for return after maintenance and repair, to perform maintenance and repair, or to continue with contractual work within South Africa or foreign countries within the region;
• Exchanging of crew members operating in foreign countries as and when required;
• Transporting of aviation technicians, mechanics and engineers internationally for essential support and assistance to aircraft;
• Proficiency flights – provided that the flight is authorised by the SACAA and remains within the general flying area, airfield or airport boundaries, and
• Recreational aviation is permitted for proficiency flights – provided that the flight is authorised by the SACAA and remains within the general flying area, airfield or airport boundaries.

 

 

A cloth facemask, face shield and a bottle of hand sanitiser are the likely key items that one could consider when putting together a time capsule to be discovered by future generations.

While these items are unlikely to survive the humidity and other environmental forces underground, while awaiting discovery, they are items that have come to characterise life today.

The objects have come to signify the fight against COVID-19 which to date has taken the lives of many, while also wreaking havoc with the livelihoods of many more people.

The pandemic has brought anxiety to citizens and businesses alike as Indalo Nubian Naturals founder Smangele Sibisi told SAnews recently.

A few months ago, the natural hair salon was a thriving business with both its Johannesburg and Pretoria branches doing well.

As South Africa recorded its first case of COVID-19 on 5 March, life for this business was about to be turned on its head.

Soon afterwards, government announced the implementation of a stringent lockdown to curb the spread of the virus.

In the quest to save lives, South Africans have adhered to lockdown regulations, which included staying at home.

While no price can be placed on saving lives, many businesses like Indalo, have taken a beating over the course of the lockdown.

“We didn’t have any income since 25 March. You can imagine surviving three months without any income. As much as we were put on hold, our expenses were not put on hold,” said Sibisi.

As a result of no income over the course of the last several months, Sibisi was forced to let go of a total 29 hairstylists at her two salons.

This as expenses including the payment of suppliers snowballed.

The young businesswoman, will not forget the day she released a press release on 19 June announcing the closure of the salons she built from nothing.

“I cried the whole day at the thought that we’re closing down,” said Sibisi who opened her first salon in Johannesburg in 2016.

She has been doing hair since she was nine-years-old.

The 29-year-old, who suffers from anxiety and often experiences panic attacks, was also heartbroken by text messages from stylists informing her of their imminent evictions from their homes.

She also found herself having to move out of her apartment and to yield her car to the bank.

The once-booming business, generating anything between R240 000 and R300 000 found itself penniless.

In true South African fashion, Sibisi’s clients have cheered her on, encouraging her not to give up on her business.

“I wasn’t aware of the army behind me. If I could thank them all individually, I would. One of my clients even called me and prayed with me.”

Today, Sibisi is raising capital for her business through crowdfunding with the trust of resurrecting the Johannesburg branch.

She is confident that she will bounce back.

“All I know is that people are rooting for us and we’re now looking at the house call system.”

Recently government announced further easing of lockdown regulations with hair salons now allowed to trade, under strict conditions.

Prior to the arrival of the pandemic, Sibisi was planning to employ more stylists at her salon’s Pretoria branch.

Currently the Pretoria branch is operating on skeleton staff as a way of ensuring social distancing.

“About 70% of my staff will not receive a salary again this month.”

It has been a rollercoaster ride for the award-winning hairdresser who has styled big names in the entertainment industry like Claire Mawisa, Rami Chuene, Renate Stuurman, Zenande Mfenyane and Sindi Dlathu.

It is clear that it will take a long time for her business to get it back on its feet.

Those who find the time capsule many years from now will no doubt also want a glimpse into how the pandemic affected schooling and learning.

Former President Nelson Mandela said education is the most important weapon, which one can use to change the world.

As South Africa entered lockdown at midnight on 26 March, many learners including matriculants had to adjust to digital learning and self-study.

However not every learner has access to a computer or WiFi at home.

“As a matriculant, the lockdown has negatively affected me. Online learning wasn’t working for me as someone from a disadvantaged community,” said Itumeleng Lebese.

Armed with only her textbooks and no teachers in front of her, the teenager from Diepsloot, has had to make do with the little she has.

Since the start of the lockdown, she has buried herself in books after schools went on recess earlier than planned.

The 17-year-old caught up with her schooling through WhatsApp on her cellphone’s small screen.

Her teachers often bailed her out if she ran out of data.

In between her WhatsApp classes, she would tune into COVID-19 television curriculum support for learners, an initiative by the SABC and the Department of Basic Education.

“It was challenging to learn through WhatsApp because some of the things are understood better when the teacher is in front of you, even just asking questions had its problems,” she said.

Determined to succeeded, she has had to push herself in order to ensure she does not repeat the grade.

However, relief came when school doors partially reopened for grade 7s and 12s on 8 June 2020.

“I was so excited because online learning was not easy and I also missed my friends.”

While she was a bit nervous about the threat that COVID-19 poses, the induction on how to keep safe during the pandemic has put her at ease.

Lebese is playing catch up as most public institutions scramble to salvage what is left of the school calendar amidst the pandemic.

She points out, that adjusting to the “new normal” has not been a walk in the park.

Nevertheless, as the country commemorates Youth Month under this new normal, she is happy to be back at school.

“We form a line when we get to school, sign the register, sanitise and there is an isolation room, “she said.

In the changes taking place, her class, which comprises of 60 learners, has also been slashed by half to 30.

Learners also have their lunch in the classroom and they do not socialise with friends.

“I’m used to it now,” she said with a chuckle.

“We are taking it one step at a time.”

While the virus has cast a shadow on life, as we know it, Lebese is determined to pass her matric and pursue her dream of studying Media Studies.

“My background and hunger for success are what keep me going. I want to be the one to break the chain of poverty at home, “she said.

The teenager shares her home with her grandparents, mother and younger brother.

Her grandmother, the family’s sole breadwinner recently lost her job as a domestic work due to the pandemic.

“The situation is very bad. We’re now living on a social grant.”

Lebese is also a budding author of ‘Trouble in Diepsloot’, a book that delves into life as a young person in the township.

The pandemic has had had a huge impact on business, schooling and has encroached on what is perhaps the most important day in one’s life.

Lesego Seokwang was looking forward to celebrating her wedding surrounded by friends and family after getting married at Home Affairs last year.

The stage had been set for the big day on 28 March for the couple who first met in university.

While most things were going to be done in-house, the couple had already spent money on a tent, a cow and décor items. Some family members had already paid for their accommodation.

“Leading up to that day, we had prepared everything that needed to be prepared and then a few weeks before, COVID-19 landed on our shores and everything was uncertain,” said Seokwang.

“We started getting worried about whether people were going to travel to our wedding and them contracting the virus even though there were no cases reported in the Northern Cape then, where the wedding was going to be,” said the 30-year-old.

Seokwang’s worst fear was realised when President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the lockdown restricting interprovincial travels.

In addition, Seokwang did not want to place her two sisters who are both asthmatic at risk of contracting the virus especially also at a time when one of them is pregnant.

“We had to make the tough decision to postpone indefinitely. We didn’t want to celebrate with just 50 people, we were expecting 200 guests.”

The couple’s grandmothers also have comorbidities.

“Our grandmothers have comorbidities. It was a thing of are we going to enjoy it if they’re not present?”

While the virus has disrupted her big day, Seokwang has no regrets.

“The only thing we were touched about is that the celebration didn’t happen, but then we thought why would we want to be a problem by risking people’s lives when we could wait?”

She believes that it was a small sacrifice on their part, as the pandemic will eventually pass.

“Death is permanent and postponement is temporary and it only made sense and our day will come and who knows? Maybe our day will be bigger and better,” she said.

Despite the fact that COVID-19 has brought challenging times for society, young people, remain resolute to defy the odds this Youth Month.

The tenacity, passion to succeed and hope that young people carry in their hearts are crucial ingredients needed in life after COVID-19.

No time capsule can capture that.

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In an effort to tighten government’s grip on the impending surge of COVID-19 cases, President Cyril Ramaphosa is deploying Ministers and Deputy Ministers to every district of the country to support the work of provincial health authorities.

 

President Ramaphosa revealed this on Monday in his weekly newsletter to the nation.

This, he said, will be in addition to getting a line of sight on specific challenges in the districts.

In his letter, the President also paid tribute to frontline healthcare workers, who have succumbed to the virus.

“We need to work together to safeguard the health of not just our frontline workers but the entire workforce,” he said.

President Ramaphosa commended what he described as sterling work done by unions in educating members around infection control, prevention and hygiene.

“They are also supporting the work of the Department of Employment and Labour in conducting workplace inspections to ensure health and safety protocols are in place for returning workers. Many of our trade unions are also providing Coronavirus information to their members and employers are running awareness campaigns,” he said.

One of the challenges that has emerged in the country, he said, is the stigmatisation of people who have tested positive for Coronavirus.

“As a society, we have a collective responsibility to stamp out the stigmatisation of people infected with Coronavirus. There have been disturbing reports of individuals being ostracised from their communities and of communities protesting against Coronavirus patients being admitted to local hospitals and clinics,” he said.

This must stop, he said.

With over 2 000 COVID-19 related deaths confirmed since March, the President said it was important to support and comfort to those in hospital isolated from their families.

In honouring health workers, the President said: “That the men and women carrying out this most noble and sacred of duties are themselves falling ill and dying is a devastating blow.

“They are on the frontline of fighting this pandemic. They are working under great pressure and must carry the psychological strain of knowing they are at risk of contracting the virus. They are the true heroes and heroines of our battle against Coronavirus.

“We salute these brave South Africans, who leave their homes, families and loved ones to report without fail for duty every day in clinics, hospitals and other health facilities. There they provide medical care, administrative support and other services like cleaning and catering.”

Government, he said, will continue to support healthcare workers by providing them with personal protective equipment (PPE) and other essentials.

He said it was critical for society to work together to promote acceptance and stand firm against victimisation.

“We must show understanding, tolerance, kindness, empathy and compassion for those who are infected with this virus and for their families.”

President Ramaphosa said the best way to overcome society’s instinctive fear of illness and contagion is to observe the hygiene protocols that are in place.

“We know what causes the virus and what we can do to protect ourselves from becoming infected. We know we have to maintain social distancing, to self-isolate if we have come into contact with those infected and to present to a hospital if we have symptoms. We must continue to be guided by facts and not rumours.”

In the days, weeks and months that lie ahead, he said, the country will at times deal with fear and despondency as the numbers of people infected and dying continue to rise.

“It may be that things have gotten worse, but we are certain that they will get better. Our scientists and medical advisers told us that the rate of infections will go up as we move towards our peak. But it will certainly come down,” he said.

Government has welcomed two high court judgments dismissing challenges related to the Disaster Management Act and its regulations.

On 26 June, the Western Cape High Court dismissed an application that sought to challenge the constitutionality of the National Coronavirus Command Council as a subcommittee of Cabinet.

In a separate case, the Gauteng High Court dismissed the application brought by Fair Trade Independent Tobacco Association, which sought to lift the ban on the sale of cigarettes in the country.

In a statement issued on Monday, GCIS Director-General Phumla Williams said: “Government continues to remain steadfast that the ban on cigarette and tobacco product sales was put in place to protect the health of South African citizens as a result of COVID-19”.

She said every citizen has a role to play in the prevention of the spread of  Coronavirus.

“We need to do everything possible to minimize the burden on the already strained healthcare system,” read the statement.

Government has also is appealed to all citizens to continue taking steps to protect themselves and others.

“Practice washing your hands often, using soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub. Maintain a safe distance and stay home if you feel unwell,” said government.

Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula has called on the South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) leadership to reconsider their decision to incite lawlessness, and place their drivers and passengers on a collision course with law enforcement authorities.

 

This comes after Santaco announced that it has taken a decision to revert to 100% loading capacity in its taxis.

On Sunday, Santaco President Philip Taaibosch announced that taxis will operate at full capacity, while those travelling along long-distance routes will be allowed to continue travelling without a permit.

Taaibosch said if any taxis were stopped by law enforcement and impounded, taxi operations across the country would grind to a halt until the impounded taxi was released.

“We condemn in the strongest possible terms any call encouraging taxi operators to violate provisions of the law and promote lawlessness.

“We remain committed to taking forward our engagements and encourage the industry to ensure that any form of protest they embark upon is within the parameters of the law,” Mbalula said in a statement.

He said government has a responsibility to ensure that all measures put in place as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic are driven by the commitment to preserve human life and avoid an uncontrolled spread of the virus.

“It is on that basis that a decision to allow uncontrolled inter-provincial travel and 100% loading capacity on taxis has to be subjected to the collective decision-making.

“It is rather unfortunate and regrettable that the taxi industry leadership has elected to violate the law and forcefully load taxis at 100% capacity, and undertake inter-provincial operations without the requisite permits, rather than await a decision on the matters they have tabled,” Mbalula said.

He said the legal loading capacity is 70% and enforceable by law enforcement authorities.

The Department of Basic Education has urged school principals to ensure all health protocols on the management of COVID-19 are strictly followed.

 

This comes after the department successfully opened schools earlier this month in a new and unfamiliar environment.

The department said while it is facing rising records of infections, the advice from health experts and advisors is that as a country we need to live side by side with the virus.

The department issued directions on 23 June 2020 in which the 6th of July 2020 was confirmed as the date for the return of learners in other grades back to school.

Schools have been temporarily closed and reopened around the country in the past three weeks to allow affected areas to be disinfected.

“This has understandably caused panic and anxiety. Schools are an integral part of society and a reflection of its community. Schools just like clinics, shops, police stations, mines and other frequently visited places, have found themselves also having to close and reopen.

“This is in response to infections identified during screening process and in line with health protocols on how to treat an environment with possible contamination,” the department said in a statement.

Principals are urged to take the following measures:

• Ensure that learners and employees are screened when the schools reopen using the Department of Health COVID-19 procedure and questionnaire.
• Learners and employees should report any of the following additional symptoms: body aches, loss of smell or loss of taste, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, weakness or tiredness;
• Ensure that learners and employees are informed, trained and instructed as to the correct use of cloth masks; and
• Ensure that a risk assessment is conducted to identify categories of employees requiring Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Those employees should be provided with the accredited PPE in accordance with Department of Health guidelines.

Thousands of people have been testing positive for COVID-19 daily since the relaxation of the hard lockdown to make room for economic activity.

 

On Sunday, 6 334 more people were confirmed COVID-19 positive, bringing the total number of infections to 138 134.

Meanwhile, on Saturday, the country recorded its biggest jump in a single day, with 7 210 new cases, while 43 more people have succumbed to the respiratory illness. The death toll now stands at 2 456.

“We are seeing a rapid rise in the cumulative number of positive COVID-19 cases, indicating that, as we had expected, we are approaching a surge during the latter winter months of July and August,” Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize, said.

The hardest-hit provinces, which also happen to be the country’s economic hubs, are expected to experience an upsurge beginning with Gauteng and the Western Cape, followed by the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal.

Gauteng’s infection rate expected to rise

“We believe that within the coming days, Gauteng will emerge with the highest COVID-19 numbers,” said Mkhize.

This is due to inward migration; the large population, especially in metros like Johannesburg, Ekurhuleni and Tshwane; increased congregating, which spurs cluster outbreaks and the level to which people can adapt to new behaviours such as social distancing and the wearing of masks.

“The surge that has been witnessed in the past two weeks has developed due to seeding of infections carried in by members of the community as they moved back into the workplace,” the Minister explained.

Therefore, cluster outbreaks as infections spilled over from communities into places of congregation such as mines, factories, taxis and buses are inevitable.

Mkhize said well-established screening programmes remain critical.

He said they are engaging the Gauteng MEC for Health and the provincial department to ramp up their capacity expeditiously.

Meanwhile, they are also working on clearing the testing backlog and will be increasing the COVID-19 hospital beds in Gauteng to ensure the province meets the rising demands.

“In addition to regular hand washing, social distancing and the correct wearing of masks at all times, early case detection, contact tracing, quarantine and isolation are the key armaments we have in our toolbox to break the cycle of infection,” Mkhize said.

The province is being engaged to strengthen its contact tracing and quarantine and/or isolation uptake.

Western Cape still to peak

The Western Cape, which has the highest number of infections, also remains a challenge.

Mkhize said they are receiving reports that most community members remain reluctant to subject themselves to quarantine and isolation, despite government having secured these sites in various parts of the province.

“Our concern is that this continues to exacerbate the risk of spread of infections in communities, especially in households where it is practically impossible to self-isolate, given the limited space.”

Mkhize said the Western Cape has not yet reached the surge, as expected by modellers, after comparing the real numbers with those depicted in predictive models.

“Since we have cleared the testing backlog, the numbers attributable to those backlogged samples no longer play a role and so the increase in new cases is reduced. Having said that, the rise is still significant and the Western Cape remains a key hotspot in the country.”

Eastern Cape being watched closely

Interprovincial migration remains a headache for government, as seasonal workers often move back and forth between the Western Cape and Eastern Cape.

“As in other provinces, carriers of Coronavirus seed infection into spaces where people congregate, and so we have also seen a number of cluster outbreaks in Eastern Cape,” Mkhize said.

He assured the public that complaints on social media regarding treatment in some of the hospitals, as well as overall public health issues described in the media, are receiving attention.

“We had initially deployed a team of epidemiologists from the National Department of Health, who intervened on an emergency basis to focus on the bottleneck in personal protective equipment (PPE) procurement and the immediate outbreak response.”

On the cluster outbreaks in schools, Mkhize said it was as a result of learners or educators, who had unknowingly acquired COVID-19 in their respective communities before returning to school.

“It was for this reason that an intense screening and testing programme was instituted in schools to ensure the early identification of cases before they become super-spreader events.”

COVID-19 in schools

The Department of Health is determined to ensure minimal disruption to the school calendar and is working closely with the Department of Education to strengthen protocols so that schools do not close unnecessarily.

“Overall, we expect that all provinces will start experiencing an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases – even those with low numbers now.

“We are closely monitoring all districts, whether they are high-transmission or low-transmission areas. Indeed, the differentiated approach emphasised the need to increase monitoring and surveillance in low-transmission areas,” said the Minister.

Hotpots, he said, need reinforcements and health intervention teams will be deployed for additional capacity so that the outbreak response matches the rise in numbers.

Hospitalisation and co-morbidities

As at 27 June, the majority of hospitalised patients were admitted in the Western Cape, with 1 629 (36%) patients, Gauteng 1 164 (26%) and Eastern Cape 775 (17%).

Nationally, the highest proportion of patients are in general wards at 80.1% of hospitalised patients, 11.3% are in intensive care, 58.6% are on ventilation, while 15% are on oxygen.

The National Institute of Communicable Diseases has also published data studying 10 700 COVID-19 admissions in 269 facilities, 71 public and 198 private, between 5 March and 21 June 2020.

“The data does indeed confirm that the elderly and those with co-morbidities – like hypertension, diabetes, cardiac disease, chronic kidney disease, malignancy, HIV and obesity – are the most vulnerable population,” said the Minister.

He said they would use the opportunities afforded by the COVID-19 pandemic response to strengthen primary health care.

“We believe that investment in primary health care will ultimately have a fiscal benefit because healthy people build economies.”

Mkhize urged citizens living with these conditions not to neglect their appointments and medication for fear of going to a facility and contracting COVID-19.

“We have ensured that all facilities have a triaging mechanism in place to separate those with flu-like symptoms. Everyone living with these co-morbidities must ensure good control of their chronic conditions.”

Mortality rate and adapting to a new norm

While the mortality rate will rise in absolute numbers, it remains stable between 1.8% and 2.1%.

“We can still improve this mortality rate by isolating and quarantining appropriately where required. This directly reduces exposure and protects those who are vulnerable,” said Mkhize.

He called on every South African to focus on adhering to recommendations on non-pharmaceutical interventions.

“We are extremely concerned that fatigue seems to have set in and South Africans are letting down their guard at a time when the spread of infection is surging.”

The Minister said they have noted poor or no social distancing in communities.

“Masks are being abandoned or not worn properly, and there is laxity setting in around frequent hand-washing. This will directly influence the rise in numbers in the next two weeks.

“We do not have a vaccine. We do not have a cure. Our ability to break the cycle of infection depends on our willingness to remain focused and disciplined and take non-pharmaceutical interventions seriously.”

Mkhize believes that COVID-19 can be beaten.

“We already proved this during the lockdown. It remains in each citizens’ hands to admonish family members, colleagues and friends, who refuse to adhere to measures that protect lives by limiting the spread of this virus.”