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Contact tracing has received a boost with Traditional Health Practitioners (THPs) joining government efforts to fight COVID-19 (Coronavirus).

This commitment was made during a meeting held between government and the THPs National Sector Leaders over the weekend.

This as the number of those infected with the virus, climbed to 1 655, with 11 confirmed deaths on Sunday.

Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize, said many citizens consult traditional health practitioners.

“They presented to me that there are many citizens who consult with them and rely on their traditional herbs and remedies for their ailments. Since the lockdown, these THPs have since not been able to provide these herbal remedies to their patients,” said the Minister in a statement.

Sunday marked 10-days of the 21-day national lokckdown announced by Presdent Cyril Ramaphosa last month.

“This will assist in coordinating the approach of them referring patients to public health care facilities should they suspect that they may have the COVID-19 virus,” said the Minister.

In addition, THPs indicated their willingness to participate in government’s campaign for hygienic behaviour to the communities they serve.

This includes the washing of hands, covering one’s mouth when coughing and social distancing.

The sector also expressed its concerns about their non-recognition as essential services providers.

“We acknowledge that government, through the Department of Health has recognised the role of traditional health practitioners through the formation of the interim structure and the passing of the Traditional Health Practitioners Act.”

The Minister said it is important to define the role of these practitioners during the lockdown period.

“Therefore, it is important to properly define their role during this lockdown period. I further emphasised the importance of this sector to comply with all the policies and regulations that government has stipulated, “he said.

This, Mkhize said, will ensure that no one takes advantage of vulnerable citizens in the name of traditional healing.

An agreement was reached that ongoing channel of communication with the department for proper coordination and information sharing be established that will assist in this fight against the COVID-19 virus.

Provincial breakdown of COVID-19

Meanwhile, Gauteng continued to be the leading province with the highest number of confirmed cases at 704, followed by the Western Cape with 454 cases. KwaZulu-Natal followed with 246 confirmed cases.

The Free State has 87, Eastern Cape 31, Limpopo19, Mpumalanga 18, North West 11 and the Northern Cape with eight.

According to data released by the Health Ministry, there were 77 unallocated cases.

The total number of COVID-19 tests conducted to date is 56 873, an increase of 2 936 from those reported on Saturday.

Mkhize conveyed his and government’s condolences to the families of the deceased.

“It is with sadness that we report yet another two deaths related to COVID-19. This takes the total number of COVID-19 related deaths in South Africa to 11,” he said.

The first deceased patient is an 82-year-old female who was admitted to ICU on 29 March 2020.

She had presented with fever, short breath, body pains, dry cough and sore throat. She also had comorbidities that included hypertension, diabetes and cholesterol.

The second deceased patient is an 86-year-old male who was admitted to hospital on 26 March 2020, with a diagnosis of bronchopneumonia and respiratory distress.

He had an underlying condition of chronic obstructive airway disease (COAD).

The provincial breakdown of the deaths is as follows:

African Union’s continental response to COVID-19

On Saturday, South Africa as African Union (AU) Chair convened a meeting of the coordinating ccommittee of the African Union’s continental response to COVID-19.

This meeting was attended by 10 Health Ministers from African countries who received a briefing from the Director of the Africa Centres of Disease Control and Prevention (ACDC), Dr John Nkengasong.

At the meeting, AU Health Ministers supported the initiative to coordinate technical experts, researchers and clinicians under the umbrella of the ACDC.

Health Minister Zweli Mkhize has announced that as of Sunday, the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases is 1 655, with 11 confirmed deaths.

The Minister said this is an increase of 70 cases from the previous update issued on Saturday.

Gauteng remains the province with the highest number of cases with 704, followed by the Western Cape with 454 cases and KwaZulu-Natal with 246 confirmed cases. The Free State has 87, Eastern Cape 31, Limpopo 19, Mpumalanga 18, North West 11, Northern Cape 8 and there are 77 unallocated cases.

The Minister said the total number of COVID-19 tests conducted to date is 56 873, an increase of 2 936 from those reported on Saturday.

Mkhize conveyed his and government’s condolences to the families of the deceased.

“It was is with sadness that we report yet another two deaths related to COVID-19. This takes the total number of COVID-19 related deaths in South Africa to 11,” he said.

The first deceased patient is an 82-year-old female who was admitted to ICU on the 29th of March 2020. She had presented with fever, short breath, body pains, dry cough and sore throat. She also had comorbidities that included hypertension, diabetes and cholesterol.

The second deceased patient is an 86-year-old male who was admitted to hospital on the 26th of March 2020, with a diagnosis of bronchopneumonia and respiratory distress.

He had an underlying condition of chronic obstructive airway disease (COAD).

The Minister thanked the healthcare workers who were treating the deceased patients.

Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) has confirmed that the Queen Mary 2 passenger vessel has departed the Port of Durban after refuelling and the disembarkation of six South African crew members.

The ship had been positioned outside the port since 27 March 202, after requesting clearance to berth to receive bunkers and stores.

Approval was granted on 31 March 2020 by the Department of Transport and the Port Health unit of the Department of Health, for the vessel to dock, refuel and allow the six crew members to come ashore.

The six South African crew were among 27 individuals on-board including passengers and crew members who were tested for COVID-19 due to flu-like symptoms and/or contact with symptomatic individuals on-board.

Although all 27 individuals tested negative, Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize said the six South Africans will be required to self-quarantine for 14 days as a precautionary measure.

TNPA said the ship, which arrived in Durban with 1 215 crew and 264 passengers departed the Port of Durban on Thursday and is now sailing to Southampton in the United Kingdom with the remaining 1 209 crew and 264 passengers.

“The ship’s line, Cunard, announced earlier this month that it had ended its three international voyages early in response to the Coronavirus pandemic. Most passengers were flown home by Cunard earlier during the voyage prior to arrival in Durban,” TNPA said in a statement.

TNPA said it has been working closely with the Department of Transport, South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) and the Department of Health to manage requests from cruise liners after new Regulations were promulgated by the Minister of Transport on 18 March 2020.

These Regulations essentially prohibit cruise liner calls, any crew changes, any disembarkations apart from returning South African citizens or permanent residents, and any embarkations unless they are for departing foreign nationals.

“The Port of Durban has a final call from the Holland America cruise ship Amsterdam scheduled for Sunday, 5 April 2020. Officials are in communication with the vessel agent and master to determine how this ship will be managed and any measures that need to be put in place,” TNPA said.

COVID-19 tests related to cruise liners in SA to date included:

• AIDAmira – docked in Cape Town on 16 March following a COVID-19 scare involving six AIDAmira passengers and two MV Corona bulk carrier crew, all of whom tested negative.
• Arcadia – docked in Durban on 26 March after results were negative for 13 symptomatic individuals on-board. The vessel docked to refuel and restock provisions, as well as allow six South African crew members to disembark and return home.
• MSC Orchestra – currently working with the Department of Health to trace passengers following confirmation of positive test results for two individuals who cruised on 28 February and 13 March, respectively.

The port authority noted that it is standard procedure for the Department of Health’s Port Health unit to be required to grant free pratique including checking and confirming a clean bill of health for all on board, before any vessel is allowed to dock.

Pratique is the license given to a ship to enter port on assurance from the captain to convince the authorities that she is free from contagious disease.

“Flu-like symptoms reported by vessel masters are being investigated and tested accordingly to curb the spread of COVID-19 in the country.”

The Department of Water and Sanitation in Gauteng has stepped up efforts to relieve water shortages in desperate Gauteng communities.

The department has delivered 852 water tanks and 20 tankers to water-stressed communities that have the least capacity to avert the rapid spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the province and thus flatten the curve.

The department said it is working collaboratively with Rand Water and municipalities to provide water to desperate communities in the most densely populated informal settlements to reduce the chances of the virus passing from one person to the other.

“Various areas in the province, including Roodepoort, Soweto, and Ennerdale in the City of Johannesburg, Hammanskraal in the City of Tshwane, benefitted from the effort. Other areas that benefitted include municipalities in the West Rand District Municipality, as well as Benoni in the City of Ekurhuleni.

“Roodepoort received 100 water tanks with a capacity of 2500 litres while Soweto got 194×2500 litres and 16×5000 litres capacity tanks. Hammanskraal received assistance with 57 water tanks of which 37 have a capacity of 2500 litres and the rest have a capacity of 5000 litres,” the department’s Gauteng Provincial Head, Sibusiso Mthembu, said.

In Benoni, 70 water tanks with a capacity of 2500 litres and four water tankers were delivered.

The West Rand District Municipality also recieved 126×5000 litres water tanks together with three water tankers, while the Lesedi Local Municipality got 34×2500 litres water tanks and two water tankers.

The Midvaal Local Municipality was the recipient of 34×2500 litres of water tanks with two water tankers.

A total of 95 water tanks were also delivered in Merafong Local Municipality with 40×10000 litres, 17×2500 litres and 38x 5000 litres.

Thirty three water tankers with 10×10000 and 23×5000 litres were delivered in Mogale City.

Mthembu said that as the country’s epicentre of the virus, Gauteng’s infection rate was not increasing as steeply since the lockdown, but it was still increasing.

There was therefore a need for everyone to put their shoulder to the wheel to stem the infections.

He said the deployment of water tanks and tankers had increased significantly since Minister Lindiwe Sisulu’s announcement to provide water to destitute communities.

Mahlobo visits Vaalkop Water Treatment

Meanwhile, Water and Sanitation Deputy Minister, David Mahlobo, will today visit Vaalkop Water Treatment Works and Madibeng Local Municipality to ensure that the communities are supplied with adequate and quality water.

The visit follows a visit by Human Settlements Deputy Minister, Pam Tshwete, to the same municipality in March.

The department noted that even though Tshwete had instructed Madibeng Local Municipality to develop an action plan that will assist in ensuring that communities are supplied with adequate and quality water, this has not helped, as the challenges besetting the municipality seem not to be reducing.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned that in the next few days the world will reach one million confirmed cases of COVID-19.

WHO Director General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said that over the past five weeks, the world has witnessed a near exponential growth in the number of new cases, reaching almost every country, territory and area.

“The number of deaths has more than doubled in the past week. In the next few days we will reach one million confirmed cases, and 50 000 deaths,” Ghebreyesus said.

As the world enters the fourth month since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Ghebreyesus said he was deeply concerned about the rapid escalation and global spread of infection.

While relatively lower numbers of confirmed cases have been reported from Africa, and from Central and South America, the organisation has realised that COVID-19 could have serious social, economic and political consequences for these regions.

“It is critical to ensure these countries are well equipped to detect, test, isolate and treat cases, and identify contacts. I am encouraged to see that this is occurring in many countries, despite limited resources.

“Many countries are asking people to stay at home and shutting down population movement, which can help to limit transmission of the virus, but can have unintended consequences for the poorest and most vulnerable people,” Ghebreyesus said.

Governments called to put social welfare measures

Ghebreyesus said he has called on governments to put in place social welfare measures to ensure vulnerable people have food and other life essentials during this crisis.

In India, Prime Minister Modi has announced a $24 billion package, including free food rations for 800 million disadvantaged people, cash transfers to 204 million poor women and free cooking gas for 80 million households for the next three months.

Ghebreyesus, however, acknowledged that many developing countries will struggle to implement social welfare programs of this nature.

“For those countries, debt relief is essential to enable them to take care of their people and avoid economic collapse.  This is a call from WHO, the World Bank and the IMF [International Monetary Fund] – – debt relief for developing countries.

“Three months ago, we knew almost nothing about this virus. Collectively, we have learned an enormous amount. And every day, we learn more. WHO is committed to serving all people everywhere with the best evidence to protect their health,” Ghebreyesus said.

WHO develops guidance based on the totality of evidence collected from around the world and every day its staff talk to thousands of experts around the world to collect and distil that evidence and experience.

“We constantly review and update our guidance as we learn more, and we are working to adapt it for specific contexts. For example, we recommend handwashing and physical distancing, but we also recognise this can be a practical challenge for those who lack access to clean water, or who live in cramped conditions.

“Together with Unicef and the International Federation of the Red Cross, we’ve published new guidance for improving access to handwashing. The guidance recommends that countries set up handwashing stations at the entrance to public buildings, offices, bus stops and train stations.

“We’re also working hard with researchers all over the world to generate the evidence about which medicines are most effective for treating COVID-19. There has been an extraordinary response to our call for countries to join the Solidarity Trial, which is comparing four drugs and drug combinations,” Ghebreyesus said.

So far, 74 countries have either joined the trial or are in the process of joining and more than 200 patients have been randomly assigned to one of the study arms.

“Each new patient who joins the trial gets us one step closer to knowing which drugs work. We’re also continuing to study the evidence about the use of masks.”

Personal Protective Equipment for health workers

WHO’s priority is for frontline health workers to access essential personal protective equipment (PPE), including medical masks and respirators.

“That’s why we are continuing to work with governments and manufacturers to step up the production and distribution of personal protective equipment, including masks. There’s an ongoing debate about the use of masks at the community level.

WHO recommends the use of medical masks for people who are sick and those caring for them.

However, in these circumstances, Ghebreyesus emphasised that masks are only effective when combined with other protective measures.

The South African Police Service (SAPS) turned down a sanitiser donation by Afriforum as it did not go through Treasury Regulations, said Police Minister Bheki Cele.

This comes after media reports this week indicated the SAPS in Gauteng had refused to accept a donation of hand sanitisers from the organisation.

While this was a leaked official and internal correspondence, the Police Minister believes it was published with the malicious intention of blowing things out of proportion.

In a statement, the Minister reiterated that, as with all government departments, the SAPS has a responsibility to uphold Treasury Regulations and in this case, implement the donation policy of the organisation.

“Let me repeat what I said to SAPS management when we were still under a State of Disaster: the national crisis we find ourselves in can never be used as justification to flout processes and procedures,” the Minister said in the statement.

Cele has encouraged Afriforum and any other individual or organisation wishing to assist the SAPS with supplies, to engage with the SAPS management at a national level for the necessary exemption in relation to gifts/donations.

The Ministry said the sanitiser donation by Afriforum was to a specific SAPS unit in Gauteng.

“The offer is welcome as a sign of goodwill and for this, the Minister will encourage the SAPS Management to engage the Afriforum to better coordinate this process of handing over and receiving of the donation,” said the Minister.

Cele, however, has also welcomed the goodwill of some civil society organisations who have extended a hand to the law enforcement agencies, augmenting what management has put in place in terms of hygienic and protective supplies to the members.

Meanwhile, Cele has acknowledged that the COVID-19 21-day lockdown regulations have left police struggling with the shortage of protective and hygienic supplies for officers.

The Minister said the limited supply of much-needed necessary hygienic disposables such as masks and hand gloves, as well as sanitisers was a worldwide dilemma.

The SAPS, whose members are in the coal face of this pandemic, is also facing this same challenge of shortage of protective and hygienic supplies.

In the statement, the Minister commended the efforts by SAPS management to ensure as best as possible, that all members on the ground and all police stations are adequately protected and observing the requisite hygienic protocols.

Eskom has restored power supply in Meadowlands, Orlando East and West, Nomzamo, Diepkloof and other parts of Soweto.

This is as a result of outages caused by technical faults and network overloading.

The power utility conducted essential maintenance to repair the faults and subsequently restored power in all the said areas.

Eskom has not implemented load shedding since 15 March 2020, and does not anticipate to do so during the period of the COVID-19 national lockdown.

“The power utility will continue to prioritise and respond to power failures, any emergencies posing danger to the public, such as low-hanging conductors, essential maintenance, prepaid token-related and meter enquiries.

“All Eskom customer service hubs remain closed for the duration of the national lockdown,” Eskom said.

Customers who are still experiencing power outages are advised to call the Eskom contact centre on 0860 037 566 to report such faults.

Faults may also be reported through the Eskom App, email at customerservices@eskom.co.za or via SMS on 35328.

Eskom technicians are operational during the time of the national lockdown, and will attend to faults reported by customers.

Patients who are facing life-threatening diseases are now allowed to enter South Africa or go abroad for medical treatment.

This is just one of several revised regulations announced by Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi, as South Africa marks day 7 of its 21-day national lockdown aimed at slowing the spread of novel Coronavirus (COVID-19).

Furthermore, repatriation of South African citizens will be permitted. However, citizens will be screened for COVID-19 before repatriation can take place. Those who test positive will not be allowed to travel.

“The borders have been closed for people but now the amendment is that the Minister, or a person designated by him, may allow a person to enter or exit the Republic for emergency medical attention for a life threatening condition,” said Motsoaledi on Thursday.

The Minister was part of a briefing held in Tshwane by Ministers who represent the Coronavirus National Command Council.

South Africa now has 1 462 confirmed cases of COVID-19, with five recorded deaths. Two other deaths are yet to be confirmed.

President Ramaphosa declared the global pandemic a national state of disaster.

On Thursday, Motsoaledi said some regulations would have to be reviewed in order not to prejudice those seeking essential services.

“A person seeking urgent medical attention for a life-threatening condition may also be allowed to enter or exit the country, provided they’re given permission by the Minister of Home Affairs or the person designated by him,” Motsoaledi said.

In addition, individuals may be permitted to leave the country. “This means South Africans who are in other countries can come through the borders – provided they’re given permission and people who want to [exit] the borders may now be allowed,” Motsoaledi said, adding that permission would have to be sought.

Anyone who comes into the country will be subjected to quarantine, Motsoaledi stressed.

Normal movements, he explained, are still limited.

“People cannot move in and out. There have to be special arrangements,” the Minister said.

Government has also given fuel and food cargo the green light to cross borders. Previously, only essential goods were allowed before the amendment.

Meanwhile, Minister in the Presidency Jackson Mthembu has disputed criticism that government is making an about-turn on its strict 21-day national lockdown regulations to curb the spread of COVID-19.

He said they’ve reviewed some of the measures because they’re a “listening and a caring” government.

Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma reiterated Mthembu’s views, saying that while they cannot satisfy every citizen, they cannot turn a blind eye to people’s genuine concerns.

Cargo ships and airfreight companies will be able to dock and land on South African shores to deliver essential services, Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Ebrahim Patel said on Thursday.

The regulations, implemented by government during the 21-day National State of Disaster COVID-19 enforced lockdown, have been amended by Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma.

“All cargo have now been allowed into the country and to be offloaded from ships. This applies to essential goods and other goods, subject to sanitising and disinfection,” said Patel at a briefing of Ministers from the COVID-19 National Command Council.

Patel said this will prevent ports from clogging up and allow essential goods to reach South Africans.

The regulations also make provision for cargo planes entering South Africa.

Patel outlined the rules for crews from such cargo planes.

“From there, they will go to a dedicated hotel near the airport, where they will be on lockdown in their rooms until they return to their planes and fly back. Air freight companies have strongly welcomed this clarification,” he said.

Additionally, internationally operated call centres are now permitted to operate, provided they observe social distancing rules.

“There are a number of them that operate in South Africa and the regulations clarify that they may provide essential services in respect of healthcare, social services, government services and financial services – subject to social distancing rules that will be determined by the Ministers of Health and Trade, Industry and Competition,” Patel said.

The Ministers are currently finalising these.

Meanwhile, Patel said given the taxi operating hours, supermarkets have been required to adjust opening hours. Most major retailers now open at 7am.

“The stores have tried, especially with the payment of social grants, to maintain social distancing and they are at the same time able to service customers who have come to purchase basic needs.

“We are now reviewing areas around exemption to ensure that the regulations are implemented appropriately. Action is now being taken around the regulations dealing with price [hikes].

“We have received hundreds of complaints that have been lodged with the National Consumer Commission and the Competition Commission. Within a very short period of time, we will see the first cases coming up at the tribunals, where the two commissions will lay the evidence they have collected from complaints laid. We anticipate that the decisions will be made quite quickly,” said Patel.

Law enforcement agencies have arrested 2 289 suspects for non-compliance with COVID-19 National State of Disaster regulations, Police Minister Bheki Cele said on Thursday.

Speaking at a media briefing held in Pretoria, the Minister urged the public to observe and comply with the regulations.

“They must stick with them so that we are not forced to enforce the law. From the 27 [March 2020], until midnight, 2289 people have been arrested for breaking those regulations, especially alcohol and traffic offenses,” said the Minister.

The arrests come as South Africa today marks day 7 of the 21-day national lockdown announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa last month.

Cele said about 24 389 law enforcers made up of the South African Police Service (SAPS); the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), and metro police units have been deployed to enforce the regulations.

He urged the public to observe and comply with the regulations in place.

The Minister also urged provincial governments not to formulate their own regulations, saying national Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Minister is the sole custodian of the regulations.

“These regulations are national regulations. There are no provincial or municipal regulations, so what is done in Limpopo, is also done in the Western Cape. We hear that some provinces will relax some regulations … they shouldn’t complain because police will not implement the so-called provincial regulations, they’ll stick to the national regulations.”

The Minister emphasised that police would not hesitate to arrest those who are not complying with the regulations.

The Minister’s comments come as South Africa now has 1 462 confirmed cases of COVID-19, with five recorded deaths. Two other deaths are yet to be confirmed.

GBV

At the briefing, Cele also announced that at least 87 000 cases of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) have been reported to police stations across the country in the last seven days.

“If not mistaken, the last number we’ve received as the NATJOINTS [ National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure]  is that since it started,[the national lockdown] 87 000 people have phoned in reporting that there might be gender-based violence in their houses,”  said the Minister.

However, Cele could not say how many arrests had been made in this area.