Category: COVID-19 Corona Virus

Two female officers and one senior male officer from the Tshwane Metro Police Department have tested positive for COVID-19.

The 51-year-old, a senior superintendent and a 37-year-old female constable, tested positive on 17 June 2020 at Number 1 Madiba Street.

The building was closed for two days to allow for the disinfection process to take place before other staff members could return to work.

The other 31-year-old female constable, stationed at the Mercedes Benz Building in Francis Baard Street, tested positive on 22 June 2020.

The constable went to hospital for medical consultation when it was discovered that she had tested positive for COVID-19.

She has since been admitted to hospital, while the other two officers are in isolation for 14 days.

Another staff member, a female admin officer in Akasia, also tested positive for COVID-19 in the past week. She is also in isolation for 14 days.

The building in which she was working was disinfected, following precautionary measures to keep other employees safe.

The Mercedes Benz Building is closed until 26 June 2020 as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of all employees and customers.

The building will be disinfected during the temporary closure for the safe return of staff members on 26 June.

Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Patricia de Lille says government has so far spent R17 million to procure quarantine sites.

Responding to a question when Ministers in the Economic Cluster fielded oral questions in the National Assembly, De Lille said there was a need to find a bigger balance between finding private and public sites for quarantine purposes.

“The private sites that we are currently using and have procured are the rate that National Treasury has negotiated with the industry, which is between R850 and R1 250.

“So far, we have spent just over R17 million of the projected R27 million for quarantine sites,” she said.

De Lille said in terms of the regulations, the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure is responsible for identifying sites and making them available.

“Once we identify sites [with over 3 000 sites having been identified by now, 630 of which are owned by the State], the Department of Health goes to inspect and assess the centres. Once the Department of Health approves them… for quarantine or isolation, it is only then as Public Works we procure the sites.”

To date, De Lille said the Department of Health has approved 403 facilities, which are being assessed, with about 37 000 beds. Currently, government has used about 136 of those facilities, representing about 12 000 beds.

“The sites that can be made available and can be made public are the responsibility of the Department of Health because they assess and confirm these sites,” the Minister said.

She said, meanwhile, that the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure does not have a role insofar as the inspection of private-owned facilities is concerned.

Public Works is only responsible for the supply chain procurement processes for activation of compliant quarantine sites that are listed on the master database.

“National Treasury, the Department of Tourism, the Tourism Business Council SA and the industry represented by the Federated Hospitality Association of Southern Africa have negotiated the rates paid by government and the rates were approved by National Treasury,” said De Lille.

Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Nathi Mthethwa has approved plans for the resumption of football.

“The plans of the Premier Soccer League have been approved, considering the mitigation strategies and plans in relation to the level 3 risk adjusted strategy in addressing the COVID-19 pandemic,” the Ministry of Sport, Arts and Culture said on Wednesday.

The plans have further been subject to analysis by health authorities and the National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD), who have recommended that the measures put in place by the organisation meet and in some instances, exceed, the required protocol for a safe return to training and to play in a biologically safe environment.

Mthethwa published gazetted directions relating to COVID -19 level 3 regulations on 28 May 2020, which cover the resumption of sport activities.

“The different sport bodies are submitting their plans, indicating their state of readiness and the stringent health protocols they will implement, in accordance with the prescribed regulations and directions,” the Ministry said.

South Africa recorded 111 additional COVID-19 related fatalities on Tuesday, the biggest single-day increase since the outbreak, bringing the death toll to 2 102.

Of the new deaths, 78 are from the Western Cape, 28 from the Eastern Cape, four in KwaZulu-Natal and one in Mpumalanga.

The number of COVID-19 infections has jumped to 106 108 after 4 518 new cases were reported.

According to the Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize, 4 000 people are in hospital due to COVID-19 and are receiving different levels of treatment.

Meanwhile, the total number of recoveries is 55 045, which translates to a recovery rate of 51.9%, while the mortality rate is 2%, Mkhize said.

The country has conducted 1 382 772 tests, 29 596 of which were done in the last 24 hours.

The hardest-hit provinces include the Western Cape with 53 512 cases, followed by Gauteng with 24 041, Eastern Cape 18 108 and KwaZulu-Natal 5 625.

The North West has 2 454 cases, Free State 814, Mpumalanga 622, Limpopo 622 and Northern Cape 270.

During the Eastern Cape visit this week, Mkhize said more than 6 000 additional medical personnel have been employed to assist in the fight against the pandemic.

The department has increased bed capacity to over 27 000, secured 400 quarantine sites, deployed over 50 000 community healthcare works and screened almost 20 million people.

The department said the country currently has a capacity of 7 134 ventilators, while 20 000 more have been ordered.

According to the World Health Organisation’s latest statistics, there are 8 993 659 positive cases reported and 469 587 deaths globally.

It’s goodbye to bad hair days as salons and many other personal beauty services are now free to operate, under strict conditions.

The Minister of Small Business Development, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, has given the green light for formal and informal salons to open under strict conditions after closing their doors since March due to lockdown.

The Minister gazetted guidelines on Friday following President Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement that many industries would now reopen under level 3.

According to Ntshavheni, services deemed safe to resume operations with immediate effect include hairdressing, barbering, nail and toe treatment, facial treatment and make-up, body massage, tattooing and body piercing.

“All personal care businesses, which are allowed to operate, will adhere to the following basic principles applicable to all salons: hand washing, social distancing between customers and staff wherever possible, the use of cloth masks at all times, and more protective masks for close facial contact, and cleaning and disinfecting of touch areas and equipment,” she said.

Ntshavheni also encouraged contactless payment where possible.

Meanwhile, employees should be equipped with personal protective equipment (PPE), including visors, while stylists should wear facemasks at all times,” said the Minister, adding that PPE must be cleaned after serving each customer.

“No customer will be served without wearing a mask. Aprons must be changed after serving each customer and reuse can only be done after the apron has been washed with water and soap. Where gloves are required for treatments, they should be changed after each client and should not be shared under any conditions.”

Ntshavheni urged businesses to work by appointment to avoid long queues, while queuing customers must maintain social distancing.

“Employees and owners above the age of 60 or with comorbidities must be discouraged from working,” the Minister said.

Also, any owner, worker or customer, who has flu-like symptoms, should be barred from the premises.

A register must be kept of customers and persons who enter the salon on each day for traceability.

Meanwhile, the provision of all snacks and drinks is prohibited, as beverage and food amenities for customers is suspended.

All bottled products must be wiped down with a 70% alcohol solution after serving each customer, and fresh and clean towels must be used for each customer.

With regards to standard operating procedures for informal tattooing body piercing studios, owners must only admit to the premises customers who are to receive treatment.

“Needles, razors and [other equipment] must be provided for each work area,” the Minister said, adding that no face and neck treatments allowed.

In the President’s address last week, he acknowledged that the disease and the measures taken to fight it have caused a massive disruption in the lives of the people, bringing the economy to a standstill and threatening the livelihoods of millions.

Therefore, he said, through the easing of the lockdown, government continues to balance the overriding objective of saving lives and preserving livelihoods.

For more on the gazetted guidelines, go to https://www.gov.za/sites/default/files/gcis_document/202006/43459rg11135gon696.pdf.

South Africa’s COVID-19 infections have surpassed the 100 000 mark after 4 288 new cases were reported on Monday.

The positive cases are now sitting at 101 590, while close to 2 000 people have lost their lives.

Of the new 61 COVID-19 related deaths reported, 39 are from the Western Cape, 18 from the Eastern Cape, three from KwaZulu-Natal and one from Limpopo, bringing the death toll to 1 991.

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

According to the department, 1 353 176 tests have been completed, 25 116 of which were done in the last 24 hours.

While the number of infections is increasing, 53 444 people have recovered from the disease caused by SARS-CoV-2.

The Western Cape continues to be the worst-hit province, with over 51% of infections and the highest number of deaths.

The coastal province has 52 554 positive cases, followed by Gauteng with 22 341, Eastern Cape 16 895, KwaZulu-Natal 5 278, North West 2 315, Free State 772, Mpumalanga 596, Limpopo 582, Northern Cape 254 and three are still unknown.

View full live Stats: Live Stats

The country recorded 4 621 new COVID-19 cases on Sunday, bringing the total number of infections to 97 302.

Meanwhile, there are 53 additional fatalities of which 27 are from Western Cape, 17 from Eastern Cape, eight are from Gauteng and one from KwaZulu-Natal, bringing the death toll to 1 930.

On Saturday, South Africa reached a new daily infections record – with 4 966 cases reported.

According to Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize, the number of recoveries is 51 608, translating to a recovery rate of 53%, while the number mortality rate is 1.98%.

The Western Cape is still the hardest hit province with 51 441 cases, followed by Gauteng with 20 822, Eastern Cape with 15 751 and KwaZulu-Natal with 5 030.

The North West is now sitting at 2 148, Free State 733, Mpumalanga 573, Limpopo 564, Northern Cape 237 and three cases are unknown.

The country conducted 1 328 060 tests since the outbreak of which 34 452 were done in the last 24 hours.

According to the World Health Organisation, there are 8 708 008 cases and 461 715 deaths globally.

President Cyril Ramaphosa says as the country repairs the damage caused by the Coronavirus pandemic, government will be implementing measures to address structural economic constraints.

The President was responding to oral questions from the National Assembly on Thursday.

He said that even before the Coronavirus pandemic, South Africa’s economy has been experiencing low growth over a number of years.

“The pandemic has exposed some of the structural fault lines in our economy, including the vulnerability of small businesses and those in the informal economy.

“Therefore, as we repair the damage caused by the pandemic, we will be implementing measures to address the key structural constraints in the economy.

“These include the mismatch between skills produced and the new skills required in a 21st century economy, and the spatial patterns of development that keep millions of workers far away from workplaces,” he said.

The President said government will also need to address the reality of a poorly-developed small and medium business sector within an economy that has large concentration of market share and ownership in too few hands.

He said there was a need to provide access to capital for many young entrepreneurs, women-owned enterprises and black industrialists.

“As we rebuild the economy after Coronavirus, we will speed up structural reforms that can unleash enterprise and capitalise on the digital economy and the larger markets that are possible through the African Continental Free Trade Area.”

He said steps have already been taken in a number of areas to address these challenges.

This includes industry masterplans that have been developed in sectors such as automobile manufacturing, clothing and textiles, poultry production and the sugar industry, as well as reforms in energy policy and the decision to release spectrum in the market.

“If we are to achieve an inclusive economy, we need to deal with the historical injustices in relation to land ownership, access and use.

“Expediting land reform for a more productive economy without weakening our fiscal position will require, among other things, a social compact between the State and private landowners on how to release more land.

“The initiative by Anglo American to donate land to the State is an indication of what is possible if we share a common vision as a country.

“Another example is the PALS [Partnership in Agricultural Land Solutions] initiative in the Witzenberg valley, where commercial farmers have been working with local communities and farm workers to promote land reform.

“Government is working with the agricultural industry to develop a sector plan, which will focus on growth areas such as the livestock, wool and grain industries.”

The President said recent auctions have highlighted livestock wealth among black farmers, which indicates that an inclusive, targeted initiative has the potential to transform the livestock value chain.

He also said that the release of State-owned land and post-settlement support has commenced.

“Over 100 000 hectares have already been allocated to successful beneficiaries, and the intention is to release all the remaining 700 000 hectares by the end of the financial year.

“Transformation must be pursued with greater vigour so that we have more equitable outcomes and a greater number of jobs.

“Above all, building a more inclusive economy will enhance longer-term growth, productivity and development for all South Africans,” he said.

President Cyril Ramaphosa says government relied on scientific advice, consultations and the experience of other countries when it made the decision to gradually ease lockdown.

The President said this when he fielded oral questions from members of the National Assembly during a hybrid question and answer session on Thursday.

“In deciding on when to begin the gradual and systematic easing of the lockdown, government was guided by the views of the scientists, the experience of other countries and wide-ranging consultations.

“It also took into account the economic and social disruption caused by the lockdown, and the devastating impact it was having on people’s incomes and livelihoods,” he said.

EFF leader Julius Malema had asked the President if the decision to ease lockdown from alert level 5 to level 4 and then level 3 within a short space of time was informed by scientific evidence and if he had been lobbied by any persons to ease lockdown for business operations to resume.

The President said in providing guidance, the Ministerial Advisory Committee used the level of community transmission as the basis for determining the state of the pandemic in the country.

He said that at that time, the proportion of Coronavirus tests that were positive had been consistently low for a long time and had remained in a narrow range of 1.5% to 3.5% for several weeks in all parts of the country except in the Western Cape.

“In arriving at this decision, due consideration was given to the criteria suggested by the World Health Organisation for countries to transition from lockdown to re-opening of normal social activities,” the President said.

These criteria used considered a number of factors:

–          Firstly, that disease transmission is under control;

–          Secondly, that health systems are able to ‘detect, test, isolate and treat every case and trace every contact’;

–          Thirdly, that hot spot risks are minimised in vulnerable places, such as nursing homes;

–          Fourthly, that schools, workplaces and other essential places have established preventive measures;

–          Fifthly, that the risk of importing new cases ‘can be managed’; and,

–          Lastly, that communities are fully educated, engaged and empowered to live under a new normal.

The President said in an advisory to the Minister, the Ministerial Advisory Committee noted that some of the World Health Organisation (WHO) criteria may not be appropriate for South Africa.

Unlike several other countries, South Africa deliberately implemented a lockdown early in the progression of the disease as a strategy to delay transmission.

“We did this knowing that we would not be able to bring transmission under control by the time we had to ease the lockdown, but that it would give us the time we needed to strengthen our health system and put a comprehensive public health response in place.

“The WHO has supported South Africa in this approach.”

The President said in considering the transition from alert level 5 to alert level 4 and, subsequently, to alert level 3, he had engaged with numerous stakeholders including business, labour, community representatives, political party leaders, premiers, mayors, traditional leaders and the religious sector among others, as part of government’s consultation process.

“As the National Coronavirus Command Council, we remain committed to consult widely with diverse stakeholders in taking decisions that will both protect the lives of our people and support their livelihoods.”

President Cyril Ramaphosa says a new continental online platform will help African countries to access critical medical supplies needed to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.

The President, in his capacity as the Chairperson of the African Union, said this when he launched the Africa Medical Supplies Platform on Thursday evening.

“Through this platform, we will address shortages and security of supply, ensure price competitiveness and transparency in procurement, reduce logistical delays, simplify payment processes and provide a common platform where governments can access services from quality and certified suppliers.

“Think of it as the Amazon, the Alibaba or even the eBay of Coronavirus resources on the African continent, made in Africa by Africans, the fundamental difference being that on this platform, the buyer is not an individual but governments,” he said.

The Africa Medical Supplies Platform, developed in partnership with African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), is a non-profit initiative launched by the African Union as an immediate, integrated and practical response to the COIVD-19 pandemic.

The online platform was developed under the leadership of African Union Special Envoy, Strive Masiyiwa, and powered by Janngo, on behalf of the African Union’s Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).

Afreximbank will facilitate payments, while logistics partners, including African national carriers and global freight forwarders, will expedite delivery.

A strong emphasis is also placed on showcasing and funding ‘Made in Africa’ manufacturers of medical equipment, with relevant certification.

Afreximbank brought to bear its $3 billion Pandemic Trade Impact Mitigation Facility (PATIMFA), of which $200 million has been reserved to support food production, as well as the manufacture of and trade in medical equipment and supplies.

Countries to get competitive prices by cutting out the middle man

Launching the platform in a virtual media briefing, the President said countries will be able to source supplies directly from manufacturers in both the necessary quantities and at competitive prices.

“Once a vaccine is available, it too will be added to this portal, in line with our stated commitment to ensuring there is equitable access to any form of lifesaving medication.

“Resources will be secured by governments on a quota basis determined by, among other things, vulnerability level.

“The benefits of resource pooling in such a manner are innumerable.”

He said countries will have ready access to an online marketplace at the click of a button, as opposed to the onerous and time-consuming process of scouring the globe to procure these medical supplies.

The President said connecting manufacturers and suppliers with governments directly removes the ‘middle man’ in supply chain processes that far too often become the doorway through which corrupt practices, like price inflation and ‘agent management fees’, enter.

“By pooling the needs of the continent, we manage to achieve quantities of scale and present suppliers with a large and assured market.

“Finally, and arguably most importantly, with this platform, we are laying another building block towards the African Continental Free Trade Area, whose launch has been delayed by the pandemic,” he said.