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The World Health Organisation (WHO) has published guidelines to help countries balance the demands of responding directly to COVID-19, while maintaining essential health services.

The guidelines are an effort by WHO to ensure that while health systems across the globe deal with the COVID-19 outbreak, vaccine-preventable deaths and treatable conditions are prevented.

Previous outbreaks have demonstrated that when health systems are overwhelmed, deaths due to vaccine-preventable deaths and treatable conditions increase dramatically.

“Even though we’re in the midst of a crisis, essential health services must continue. Babies are still being born, vaccines must still be delivered, and people still need life-saving treatment for a range of other diseases,” said WHO Director General Tedros Ghebreyesus on Monday.

The guidelines include a set of targeted, immediate actions to reorganise and maintain access to high-quality essential health services, including routine vaccination; care during pregnancy and childbirth; treatment for infectious and non-communicable diseases and mental health conditions; blood services and more.

“That includes ensuring an adequate health workforce to deal with the many health needs other than COVID-19,” emphasised Ghebreyesus.

Scale up production of protective gear

With many countries under lockdown to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus, WHO urged governments to ensure free movement of essential health products to halt the pandemic.

WHO called on countries to work with companies to increase production; to ensure the free movement of essential health products; and to ensure equitable distribution of those products, based on need.

“Specific attention should be given to low- and middle-income countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America.

“In addition, WHO is working intensively with several partners to massively increase access to life-saving products, including diagnostics, PPE, medical oxygen, ventilators and more,” said Ghebreyesus.

The Gauteng Health Department has confirmed a COVID-19 case in Alexandra, Johannesburg.

“The confirmed case, was tested and was instructed to remain under self-isolation while awaiting results,” said the department on Monday.

According to the provincial department, the man who has tested and was subsequently found to be infected with the virus, disregarded instructions to self-isolate and travelled to outside of the province before the lockdown.

“Upon positive confirmation of results, our team of tracers working with law enforcement agencies tracked the confirmed case to Limpopo,” said the department.

The man is currently under isolation in a health facility in Limpopo.

The department confirmed that five other people who had come into close contact with the confirmed case are currently under quarantine.

“All known close contacts have already been identified, tested and are in quarantine pending results.

“Our tracing team will continue to work on the tracking and tracing of other possible contacts.”

The department urged communities to take heed of the lockdown measures and act responsibly to contain and prevent the further spread of COVID-19.

Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, has condemned any form of abuse committed by soldiers during the 21-day nationwide lockdown.

The Minister’s remarks follow various allegations of abuse by members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) deployed in support of government efforts to contain the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

“The Minister wishes to strongly reiterate the message delivered by the Commander-in-Chief of the SANDF [President Cyril Ramaphosa] to desist from using excessive force against citizens of the country regardless of the level of provocation they may face whilst deployed.

“The Minister has since instructed the Chief of the SANDF to monitor the situation on the ground and deal with those members proven to have used excessive or unnecessary force against the citizens. Such heavy handedness is not in the interest of safeguarding our citizens,” the Department of Defence said in a statement on Monday.

The Minister called on citizens to adhere to the lockdown regulations as stated in the Government Gazette for the duration of the lockdown and to desist from provoking any of the law enforcement officials deployed to assist curb the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It would be in the best interest of the SANDF to empower the public about the dangers of the virus. Therefore citizens are urged to remain in their homes at all possible times. This will help curb the spread of the virus in our communities.

“We appeal to all people to play a positive role in ensuring the spread of the virus is curbed,” the department said.

Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande has called on UNESCO to urgently create a portal to share information to deal with COVID-19.

Nzimande made the suggestion during the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation’s (UNESCO) virtual ministerial dialogue on ways to use science to fight the scourge of the Coronavirus.

“The COVID-19 pandemic is an unprecedented global challenge. South Africa agrees that a concerted, united global scientific response is required to defeat it.

“In South Africa, our President has ordered a 21-day lockdown and directed that science be at the forefront of the national fight against COVID-19,” said the Minister.

In response to the President’s call, Nzimande said government has reprioritized some of its national research and innovation programmes, mobilized data scientists, including capacity in theoretical physics and astronomy and government has made some resources available to enable all this.

While some of the scientific interventions will take some time to provide answers, the Minister said some immediate interventions are necessary.

At the meeting, Nzimande highlighted South Africa’s efforts to develop a central database to track the effects of the virus and provide appropriate responses; the need to understand the local epidemiology and natural history of the virus and strengthen 3D capabilities to support manufacturing of assistive devices like ventilators.

“We are also undertaking social and perception surveys about the virus so that we are able to develop appropriate education and information interventions in communities and society.

“Urgent sharing of data, information and methodologies is of fundamental importance in this regard and for UNESCO to create a portal for such sharing.

“Our comprehensive national research effort also includes programmes related to surveillance, diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccine development,” he said.

The Minister pledged support to Africa Regional cooperation and UNESCO’s initiative to make Open Science a global reality.

Various religious groupings will be able to tune in to their Easter services during the COVID-19 lockdown from the comfort of their homes, thanks to a collaboration between the Communications Department and the Multichoice Group.

In response to a call from the Communications and Digital Technologies Department to assist the religious sector during the lockdown, DStv will launch a new pop-up channel catering for various Christianity groupings.

The channel, named Africa Easter Channel, is expected to launch on Good Friday, on 9 April 2020.

The Africa Easter Channel will be broadcast in collaboration with the renowned TBN Africa, on DStv Channel 343.

Communications Minister Stella Ndabeni- Abrahams had made a call for MultiChoice to set up a dedicated pop-up channel for various religious groups in the country during the country’s first Easter Weekend under lockdown.

On 23 March 2020, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced various measures – including a 21-day nationwide lockdown – to curb the further spread of the COVID-19 virus. The current restrictions due to the global pandemic will see South Africans staying at home during the Easter Weekend.

As such, Africa Easter Channel’s offering of music and sermons is bound to keep DStv viewers engaged and fulfilled during the four days of the channel going live.

The channel will broadcast until Easter Monday, 13 April.

Minister Ndabeni-Abrahams welcomed this intervention. “Communications and digital technologies will play an important role during this disaster period and beyond.

“We therefore appreciate MultiChoice’s response to our call for an industry-wide intervention to ensure that religious programming, especially over the Easter weekend, is produced and accessible to millions of South Africans utilising alternative means,” she said.

With religious leaders heeding the call by the President, the channel further enhances the positive response received from the religious sector.

MultiChoice Group CEO Calvo Mawela said: “We are happy to have immediately responded to the Minister’s call to assist millions of South African worshippers who regard Easter as a pivotal period of worship.

“As a responsible broadcaster, we are more than happy to partner with the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies as we afford worshippers to observe Easter from the comfort of their homes.”

Popular gospel artists such as Lebo Sekgobela, Dr Tumi, Hillsong, William McDowell and Rebecca Malope will feature prominently on the channel’s scheduling, which will also include churches such as Methodist, Anglican and Catholic.

“We have responded to this call by partnering with churches, and some of the biggest gospel artists to bring you the best Easter worship experience to as many viewers as possible,” said TBN Africa Managing Director Lucky Mbiko.

Also, recorded messages submitted by the churches will be broadcast on the channel.

Social grant payments for the elderly and people with disabilities is in full swing as South Africa enters Day 4 of the 21-day lockdown to curb COVID-19.

In preparation for the lockdown, social security agency – SASSA – announced that grants for the elderly and people with disabilities will be paid from 30 – 31 March 2020.

The Social security agency’s decision to pay grants earlier is in response to the State of National Disaster, as announced by President Ramaphosa on 15 March 2020.

On Monday, Social Development Minister Lindiwe Zulu, together with SASSA CEO Totsie Memela, Acting MEC Panyaza Lesufi and Communications and Digital Technologies Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams, visited SASSA pay points around Gauteng to ensure that precautions are in place for the protection of beneficiaries against COVID-19.

By 9:30am on Monday morning, SASSA said about R1 million in grants had been paid at Post Offices, ATMs and retail stores.

Grant beneficiaries collecting their grants observed good hygiene by washing hands and social distancing protocols by maintaining 1 metre distance from each other or more.

Transport to accommodate social grant payments

Ahead of payment of social grants, Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula amended the public transport directions under the National State of Disaster.

“Following the announcement by President Cyril Ramaphosa on the days social grants would be paid, a number of industry bodies have made representations on the relaxation of hours [in which] public transport vehicles are allowed to operate,” said the Minister on Sunday.

Under the current lockdown aimed at slowing the spread of COVID-19, public modes of transport are allowed to operate from 5am – 9am and again from 4pm – 8pm.

As of Monday, these hours were upscaled to accommodate grant beneficiaries.

“Effective from tomorrow, 30 March 2020 until Friday, 3 April 2020, buses and taxis will be permitted to operate from 5am until 8pm in order to cater to the transportation needs of society’s most vulnerable,” said Mbalula.

A similar request to relax the hours was made by the Minister of Social Development, Lindiwe Zulu.

“Having considered Minister Zulu’s request and representations made by various industry bodies, including the taxi industry, I have decided to amend the Public Transport Directions in order to accommodate grant beneficiaries,” said Mbalula.

Other beneficiaries will be able to access their grants from 1 April 2020.

The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) is calling on members of the Reserve Force to complement the already deployed SANDF in the fight against the COVID-19 virus.

The call is in line with the National Disaster Management Act of 2002 Section 27, sub-section 2, which provides that the SANDF must release its personnel to a national Organ of State for rendering of emergency services.

Sub-section 2(f) provides for the SANDF to assist with the movement of persons and goods to and from or within the disaster stricken or threatened area(s).

The SANDF has appealed to civilian employers to release staff members called up for the Reserve Force Service.

The SANDF will be deployed in various capacities in the implementation of the national lockdown in order to execute a broad plan of urban and rural operations.

In response to the ongoing COVID-19 global pandemic, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced a 21-day nationwide lockdown. South Africa went into lockdown last Friday.

Globally, there are 638 146 confirmed cases of COVID-19, 30 039 confirmed deaths and 203 countries are affected by the pandemic.

“Similarly, the SA Military Health Service has called up Reserve Force doctors, nurses, and operational emergency care practitioners together with teams to work with other health practitioners in various fields. The SANDF is grateful to the Reserve Force members for their willingness to serve and appeals to civilian employers to release their staff members called up for Reserve Force Service,” the Department of Defence and Military Veterans said.

The Minister of Health, Dr Zweli Mkhize, has announced that South Africa has recorded the second death resulting from Coronavirus (COVID-19).

“It is with sadness that we announce the second death of a patient, who had tested positive for COVID-19. The 74-year-old male had been in ICU and ventilation in a private hospital in Ladysmith.

“He had travelled to Kruger National Park with his family and came back with flu-like symptoms. He was confirmed to be COVID-19 positive on 27 March 2020.

“It has been reported to us that the deceased patient had an underlying skin cancer condition (melanoma), which had already complicated. He presented with the following symptoms: respiratory distress, shortness of breath, cardiac failure, decreased saturation and his temperature was above 38 degrees,” said Mkhize on Sunday.

The deceased’s family, 14 health workers, including three specialist doctors, who were in contact with him are now in quarantine and are being monitored.

“We express our condolences to the family and we thank the doctors and health workers who looked after the deceased patient until his time of passing,” said Mkhize.

The Minister said the country now has 1 280 confirmed cases of COVID-19.

This is an increase of 93 from the previously reported cases on 28 March.

The provincial breakdown is as follows:

Gauteng                 584

Western Cape         310

KwaZulu-Natal         167

Free State              72

North West             6

Mpumalanga           11

Limpopo                 12

Eastern Cape          12

Northern Cape        6

Unallocated             100

In an effort to flatten the curve of Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Gauteng, the Department of Water and Sanitation on Sunday delivered 100 more water tanks to needy communities in Soweto.

At over 500 cases, Gauteng province has to date recorded the highest number of COVID-19 infections in the country.

The 100 water tankers, with a capacity of 2 500 litres, are an addition to the 187 water tanks delivered by the department on Saturday to communities across the province.

The department aims to deliver water tanks and water tankers (trucks) to vulnerable communities to allow them access to water to wash their hands during the period of the virus.

The department is one of the frontline government departments working to ensure that the country is not catastrophically overwhelmed by the virus.

In line with President Cyril Ramaphosa’s measures to combat the virus, Water and Sanitation Minister Lindiwe Sisulu announced the immediate provision of water, particularly desperate communities.

This is to prevent the curve of the virus being even steeper if communities lack access to water.

The department’s Gauteng Provincial Head, Sibusiso Mthembu, said the delivery of water to various communities is well underway and proceeding at a satisfactory pace.

Mthembu said Gauteng is the engine of the country’s economy and this means that no effort should be spared to ensure that there is a semblance of normality in as far as water access is concerned.

He said the central objective of the department is to quickly provide water to communities to weather the storm of increasing infections, “making it a point that people are able to stay healthy now and beyond the Coronavirus pandemic”.

“It is of utmost importance that community members keep a social distance and stay one meter apart, as they are out to access water from the water tanks… We must stop the transmission of the virus,” Mthembu said.

He reiterated that saving lives is important as the department continues to ensure that the vulnerable are cushioned from the impact of the virus.

In light of the payment of social grants from Monday onwards, Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula has amended the public transport directions under the National State of Disaster.

“Following the announcement by President Cyril Ramaphosa on the days social grants would be paid, a number of industry bodies have made representations on the relaxation of hours [in which] public transport vehicles are allowed to operate,” said the Minister on Sunday.

Under the current lockdown aimed at slowing the spread of COVID-19, public modes of transport are allowed to operate from 5am – 9am and again from 4pm – 8pm.

As of Monday, 30 March 2020, these hours will be upscaled.

“Effective from tomorrow, 30 March 2020 until Friday, 3 April 2020, buses and taxis will be permitted to operate from 5am until 8pm in order to cater to the transportation needs of society’s most vulnerable,” said Mbalula.

A similar request to relax the hours was made by the Minister of Social Development, Lindiwe Zulu.

“Having considered Minister Zulu’s request and representations made by various industry bodies, including the taxi industry, I have decided to amend the Public Transport Directions in order to accommodate grant beneficiaries,” said Mbalula.

Earlier this month, the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) said it would pay social grants to older persons and persons with disabilities from 30 and 31 March 2020, while other beneficiaries will be able to access their grants from 1 April 2020.

The social security agency’s decision to pay grants earlier is in response to the State of National Disaster, as announced by President Ramaphosa on 15 March 2020.

Mbalula urged those using public transport to observe social distancing.

“We will issue further directions in this regard,” he said.

Grant recipients are required to carry their IDs and SASSA cards when travelling on public transport to assist law enforcement efforts.