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COVID-19 infections are not showing signs of slowing down as South Africa grapples with the second wave.

On Monday, South Africa’s COVID-19 cases jumped by 15 046, which brings the tally to 1 246 643 since the outbreak.

Also, active cases are growing rapidly, with 239 799 patients currently infected.

KwaZulu-Natal remains home to the most active cases, standing at 93 376, followed by Gauteng with 50 501, while 48 416 cases can be found in the Western Cape.

The North West has 10 573 active cases, Limpopo 9 964, Free State 8 780, Mpumalanga 7 879, Eastern Cape 6 538 and the Northern Cape 3 772.

Meanwhile, the death toll has now reached 33 579 after 416 people succumbed to the respiratory disease.

According to Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize, the Western Cape reported 176 fatalities, followed by the Eastern Cape with 163.

Thirty-eight deaths occurred in KwaZulu-Natal, 30 in the Free State, four each in Mpumalanga and North West, and one in the Northern Cape.

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

The recovery rate stands at 78.1% after 973 265 people beat COVID-19.

Meanwhile, 7 236 389 tests have been conducted since the pandemic, of which 52 496 were performed since the last report.

The World Health Organisation is reporting 89 048 345 confirmed cases of COVID-19, including 1 930 265 deaths, to date.

Taking precautions

Addressing the nation last night, President Cyril Ramaphosa said South Africa recorded nearly 190 000 new Coronavirus infections, with more than 4 600 COVID-19 deaths since New Year’s Day.

“New infections in KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape have grown fast and have now far exceeded the peak during the first wave,” he said, adding that infections in Gauteng are growing and expected to increase further as holidaymakers return home.

He also mentioned that over 15 000 people with COVID-19 are in hospitals nationally, while about a third are on oxygen.

Ramaphosa said these admissions are placing a considerable strain on health facilities, personnel and equipment.

The President has since called on citizens to observe all health protocols.

“If anything, the new variant means that we must be more diligent, more compliant and more consistent in following the necessary health guidelines.”

In addition, Ramaphosa also announced that the nation has 20 million doses of vaccines to be delivered mainly in the first half of the year.

“We are now in the centre of the storm. We do not know how much longer it will last or how much worse it will get. But we know what we need to do to weather the storm.”

He urged everyone to protect themselves and those around them as the country remains on adjusted alert level 3 lockdown.

Minister in the Presidency, Jackson Mthembu, is in self-quarantine after testing positive for COVID-19.

In a statement, the Presidency said the Minister took the test early on Monday after displaying some symptoms.

“As per the COVID-19 regulations, Minister Mthembu as well as those who have come in contact with him will immediately self-quarantine,” read the statement.

Minister Mthembu is the fourth member of the executive who has tested positive in the past week.

Last week, Employment and Labour Deputy Minister Boitumelo Moloi, as well as Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Deputy Minister Obed Bapela, and Water and Sanitation Deputy Minister David Mahlobo also tested positive for the virus.

Mthembu remains in high spirits and wishes all those who are also fighting the Coronavirus a speedy recovery.

“We once again urge all South Africans to play their part by continuing to regularly wash/sanitise their hands, properly wear a face mask and practice physical distancing at all times,” said Mthembu.

Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize, says while the fiscus will carry the burden of procuring the COVID-19 vaccine aimed at preventing the further spread of the virus and loss of life, government will reach out to medical schemes to make a contribution.

Mkhize on Thursday said they will also consider asking medical schemes to co-subsidise some members of the public, as government makes a push to raise funds to procure vaccine doses as early as next month.

He was briefing Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Health in line with government’s commitment to keep the public informed of developments relating to the vaccine rollout strategy.

The meeting also took place following calls from opposition parties for a National Assembly debate on South Africa’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout plan.

“I think as we stand at the moment, a few points that I think are important to mention are that, for one, we have had lots of discussions with the Minister of Finance [Tito Mboweni] basically to say that the fiscus is going to carry the major burden of  procuring the vaccine.

“We have also agreed that we will look to activate other means of raising additional funds, and that the second way would be to approach the medical schemes and ask them to make a contribution, which will also be on the basis of social solidarity, wherein they could also co-subsidise some of the members of the public.

“The third one is to get business donors to make their own contributions,” he said.

Government has forged an affiliation with the COVAX facility – a global vaccine distribution scheme co-led by the World Health Organization (WHO) – through which it intends to source vaccines for 10% of the population, while the additional vaccine doses are expected to be sourced through fundraising initiatives through the private sector.

The first tranche of vaccines will be prioritised for members of the population that are higher risk.

The first phase of the roll-out will target frontline healthcare workers. Phase two will cover essential service workers, persons over the age of 60 and those 18 years or older with comorbidities. The third phase will target those that are older than 18 years.

“As a country, we have an estimated 1.25 million healthcare workers both from the public and private sectors to be prioritised.

“It is for this reason that today we announce that South Africa will be receiving one million doses in January and 500 000 doses in February from the SII [Serum Institute of India],” Mkhize said.

The Minister said teams from the National Department of Health and the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) were fine-tuning and aligning all the regulations processes to ensure that there are no unnecessary delays or regulatory impediments to activate the roll-out.

“We are happy that the SII/Astra Zeneca vaccine has already been approved by various regulators and is being rolled out in other countries,” said the Minister.

Mkhize urged the public to be patient with government as it continues to engage manufacturers.

Second wave

Mkhize said was important to note that the resurgence of COVID-19 has created a lot of panic with the number of people who are getting sick, the number of hospitals that are filling up and the number of lives being lost.

“It is actually natural that we should all be anxious at this point. I would like to just say that this situation we will manage to the best of our ability. Also, we will be making sure that we bring the vaccines as quickly as possible to South Africa.

“By the time we start the vaccination programme, we won’t be very different from many countries. We would actually be in line with most of the countries.

“We would like to assure the public that we are all on course in so far as this matter is concerned.”

Limpopo Health MEC, Dr Phophi Ramathuba, has called for a change in behaviour after the province saw its highest number of new infections since the Coronavirus pandemic began.

According to the MEC, the province recorded 1 575 positive cases in the last 24 hours, a sharp increase from 900 over the previous reporting cycle.

Capricorn is now the hardest-hit district in the province with 623 new infections, followed by Vhembe District 408 and Mopani District 253.

“Although the Waterberg District was leading at some point, their numbers are no longer increasing at an alarming rate. The district has recorded 189 new cases,” the provincial department said, adding that the Sekhukhune District only had 98 new cases.

However, the department is watching the two districts, which are mining hubs, closely as the mines will soon reopen doors after the festive season.

Meanwhile, the Polokwane, Thulamela and Greater Tzaneen municipalities remain on high alert.

“The increase in numbers is quite concerning considering that during the beginning of December, the province would only record around 20 cases per 24-hour counting cycle.”

The department believes that the escalating figures paint a “worrying picture” of community members not following COVID-19 safety protocols during the recent festive season.

“We are now paying the price of social gatherings, Christmas parties and luncheons, weddings and birthday parties which we have seen during the month of December,” Ramathuba said.

“We have advised that any kind of gathering during the festive was a bad idea also considering that we have people who came from other provinces coming home to attend those gatherings.”

The MEC is pleading with communities to act more responsibly during this difficult period.

“As the virus attacks indiscriminately during this second wave, we need to see real behaviour change from our people in order to make a real difference.”

South Africa logged over 800 daily Coronavirus deaths for the first time since the outbreak, while new cases also hit a record high after 21 832 tested positive on Wednesday.

Limpopo has 7 592 patients who are currently infected, while the cumulative cases stand at 30 840.

The MEC said the focus is now shifting to the availability of hospital beds as the numbers peak.

“Though we are seeing a huge number of people coming to our hospitals due to COVID-19, our hospitals are still having enough beds for patients who need admission due to the virus,” she added.

Meanwhile, Ramathuba is calling on everyone who was at Beitbridge border post, which connects South Africa and Zimbabwe, to quarantine for at least seven days after 104 people tested positive as authorities deal with congestion.

A suspect is expected to apply for bail in the Verulam Magistrates Court on Friday after he was arrested for illegal possession of Ivermectin, an animal drug not confirmed for COVID-19 infection management.

The 43-year-old man was arrested at King Shaka International Airport after he was found with 2 464 tablets in his hand luggage when he arrived at the airport this week.

The tablets are valued at R100 000.

In a statement, Police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe said the suspect had just arrived in the country from Dubai.

“The SAPS can confirm that the said medicine is not registered with the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA),” she said.

According to SAHPRA, Ivermectin is not indicated nor approved for use in humans. Furthermore, there is no confirmatory data on Ivermectin available as yet, for its use in the management of COVID-19 infections.

Mathe said the man has already appeared before the Verulam Magistrates Court where he has been charged with being in possession of unregistered medicines and the importation of medicines without a valid permit.

The case has been postponed to Friday for a formal bail application.

On Tuesday, the SAHPRA said Ivermectin is a drug that paralyses and kills parasites including lice and worms in livestock.

“Ivermectin is a widely used drug for the treatment and control of parasites in animals and is used to treat several tropical diseases in humans not commonly seen in South Africa, as well as scabies and head lice. Ivermectin is a synthetic derivative of the antiparasitic class of compounds known as avermectins,” said the SAHPRA in a statement.

The authority said several investigators have reported that when tested in the laboratory, Ivermectin inhibits replication of the severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).

“Given the current Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic, this has understandably received a lot of media attention.  Thus, several clinical studies have been undertaken to evaluate Ivermectin’s efficacy in treating the COVID-19 infection.”

In December, SAHPRA indicated that in relation to Ivermectin use for COVID-19, that “Ivermectin is not indicated nor approved by SAHPRA for use in humans”.

This, said the authority, was because “there is no confirmatory data on Ivermectin available as yet for its use in the management of COVID-19 infections. In terms of safety and efficacy there is no evidence to support the use of ivermectin and we do not have any clinical trial evidence to justify its use.”

Government has expressed its sadness over the passing of former Deputy Minister of Defence, Mluleki Editor George.

George passed away on Tuesday.

Government said the former Deputy Defence Minister served with distinction from April 2004 until September 2008.

He was also a Member of Parliament in the National Assembly from 1994 until September 2008.

He matriculated at Nathaniel Nyaluza High School in Grahamstown and held a Bachelor of Arts Degree and a Bachelor of Commerce.

“We have lost another patriot, a person who served with humility and fought for the freedom of our people. He was a political activist at heart but also a great leader. His passion for the betterment of South Africa was seen in his actions. His passing surely leaves us poorer as a nation,” said Minister in the Presidency, Jackson Mthembu.

George also played an instrumental role in the sporting fraternity, and in particular in the unification of sport in the country in the early 1990s.

He served as the President of the National Sports Council and he was the Vice President of the South African Rugby Football Union from 1993 to 1998.

He was also a member of the International Rugby Board from 1994 to 1997.

“The unfortunate passing of Mr George is not only a great loss to his family, friends and colleagues but the entire society. He will be sorely missed for his contribution to bettering the lives of South Africans,” said Mthembu.

Government expressed its heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and the nation.

South Africa has logged over 800 daily Coronavirus deaths for the first time since the outbreak, while new cases also hit a record high on Wednesday.

A total of 844 people lost their lives to COVID-19, pushing the death toll 31 368.

According to Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize, the Eastern Cape reported 452 deaths due to the respiratory disease.

However, Mkhize said the staggering number of deaths in the province was due to “data reconciliation” dating between May and November 2020.

“This includes analysis of community cases where post-mortem swabs were taken for COVID testing and analysis of clinical records where the diagnosis was unconfirmed at the time of demise. The National Department of Health is engaging the province to investigate the details of the reporting backlog,” the Minister explained.

Meanwhile, 149 fatalities were reported in the Western Cape, 96 in Gauteng, 65 in KwaZulu-Natal, 46 in the North West, 12 in the Free State, 11 in Limpopo, eight in Mpumalanga and five in the Northern Cape.

In addition, Mkhize described the latest number of daily infections as a “grim milestone” as the figure of new cases breached the 20 000 mark.

According to Mkhize, 21 832 cases have been identified since the last reporting cycle, which brings the total cumulative COVID-19 cases to 1 149 591.

The country currently has 188 984 active cases, with KwaZulu-Natal leading with 76 993 people who are currently infected, followed by the Western Cape with 41 356 and Gauteng 35 727.

Limpopo has 7 592 active cases, North West 6 958, Free State 6 565, Eastern Cape 5 610, Mpumalanga 5 441 and Northern Cape 2 742.

To date, 929 239 people have recovered from COVID-19, which translates to a recovery rate of 80.8%.

The information is based on the 6 898 207 test, 70 060 of which were performed since the last report.

According to the World Health Organisation, there have been 85 091 012 confirmed cases of COVID-19, including 1 861 005 global deaths.

Gauteng Traffic Police have vowed to act against motorists who fail to abide by the rules of the road.

This comes after the arrest of a 38-year-old man for alleged reckless and negligent driving, failure to obey a lawful instruction from a traffic officer and driving under the influence of liquor on Wednesday.

The incident took place at De Deur, Rose Road in the vicinity of Meyerton, Sedibeng district.

“A member of Gauteng Traffic Police stopped the vehicle after noticing that the vehicle had no registration plate in front. It is alleged that the driver intentionally and negligently failed to stop after being instructed to do so and in the process hit the legs of an officer.  The officer sustained serious injuries and is currently receiving medical attention in a nearby health care facility,” said the Gauteng Traffic Police on Thursday.

The other officers who were on board patrolling in the area pursued the suspect and managed to apprehend the man.

The man was driving under the influence of alcohol and officials found homemade alcohol in his possession.

The detection from the breathalyzer confirmed that the suspect was intoxicated at 0.79 milligrams, which is three times over the prescribed legal limit of 0.24 milligram per 100 milliliters.

“Incidents of this nature will never be allowed to prevail under our watch. Officers of the law are supposed to be respected at all costs since they are there to protect and serve our communities.

“The law enforcement authorities will continue to root out barbaric behaviour from heartless drivers who are hell-bent on abusing and ill-treating our officers,” Gauteng Traffic Police Spokesperson Sello Maremane said.

The man is expected to appear in the Meyerton Magistrate Court on Thursday to face charges relating to driving under the influence of alcohol and failure to obey a lawful instruction from an officer amongst others.

The Gauteng Traffic Police have also wished the injured officer a speedy recovery.

“The Gauteng Traffic Police would like to wish the injured officer who is currently receiving medical attention a speedy recovery,” Maremane said.

Government has set a minimum target of 67% of the population to receive the COVID-19 vaccine in an effort to achieve herd immunity, says Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize.

South Africa recently made the down payment to secure the COVID-19 vaccine for 10% of the population.

In a media briefing on Sunday on the country’s COVID-19 Vaccine Strategy, the Minister said the rollout of the vaccine will be done in phases beginning with the most vulnerable in the population.

Phase one includes frontline health care workers (HCW), with a target of 1 250 000 people.

In the second phase, the following population will be targeted:

• Essential workers. Target population: 2 500 000
• Persons in congregate settings. Target population: 1 100 000
• Persons >60 years. Target population: 5 000 000
• Persons >18 years with co-morbidities. Target population: 8 000 000

Phase three will involve other persons >18 years, with a target population of 22 500 000.

“This means that by the end of phase three, 40 350 000 citizens will have been immunised, which is equivalent to approximately 67.25% of the population, as we have indicated.

“At this stage, we have secured the doses that will be acquired through COVAX, which will ensure that we immunise 10% of the population through this mechanism. In line with the President’s statement, we expect the processes will have delivered the vaccine by the beginning of the second quarter,” Mkhize said.

The Minister said the funds to pay the outstanding amount after the deposit that has been made by the Solidarity Fund, around R1.8 billion, have been allocated.

“Having secured for 10% of the population, we have embarked on other efforts to get the rest of the 57% of the population to be targeted by end 2021, but more importantly, we are making efforts to obtain vaccines much earlier, hopefully as early as February 2021.

“This will very much depend on the success of current bilateral negotiations we are in the midst of with various companies,” Mkhize said.

In addition, government has approached medical aids to be part of the co-financing.

“The process is now at a stage where the Council for Medical Schemes has engaged various medical schemes and I have signed amendments of regulations to allow for vaccines and other therapeutics to be part of the prescribed minimum benefits.

“Business has also been engaged, particularly through Business Unity South Africa (BUSA). Therefore, the total financing arrangement will include medical schemes, business and government, with an arrangement made with the Solidarity Fund to provide a platform for the collection of funds, and for expedited and controlled procurement processes,” the Minister said.

To optimise availability of stock for South Africa, government is negotiating with all the manufacturers and pursuing those who are indicating a capability of making vaccines available sooner.

“We are in sensitive discussions and at this stage are bound by Non-Disclosure Agreements but we will make announcements as soon as negotiations are concluded and the NDAs have been lifted,” said Mkhize.

Government is working closely with the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) for regulatory clearance.

The Department of Health has embarked on distribution and delivering structures through national government, the public sector, private sector, civil society, labour, traditional leaders and structures that will report to Provincial and District Co-ordinating Councils.

“This will ensure that we take all of society with us and get community buy-in, and a well-coordinated campaign… with a good uptake of the vaccinations offered,” the Minister said.

The price of petrol is set to increase by between 40 and 43 cents a litre this week.

In a statement on Monday, the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) said the price of 93 (ULP and LRP) will go up by 43 cents, while that of 95 (ULP and LRP) will increase by 40 cents.

From Wednesday onwards, a litre of 95 ULP in Gauteng, which currently costs R14.46, will increase to R14.86 a litre.

Meanwhile, diesel (0.05% Sulphur) will increase by 55 cents a litre, while the price of diesel (0.005% Sulphur) will increase by 54 cents a litre.

The price of illuminating paraffin (wholesale) will increase by 55 cents.

The price of illuminating paraffin (SMNRP) will increase by 74 cents, while the Maximum Retail Price for LPGAS will decrease by 44 cents per kilogram.

The DMRE said the average international product prices for petrol, diesel and illuminating paraffin increased during the period under review.