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World Health Organisation (WHO) Director General Tedros Ghebreyesus has announced a global Solidarity Trial to jumpstart the search for COVID-19 treatment.

Many countries have already confirmed that they will join the Solidarity Trial, including South Africa.

Briefing media in Geneva last night, Ghebreyesus said more than 200 000 cases of COVID-19 have been reported to WHO, and more than 8000 people have lost their lives.

However, the first vaccine trial has begun, just 60 days after the genetic sequence of the virus was shared by China.

“This is an incredible achievement. We commend the researchers around the world who have come together to systemically evaluate experimental therapeutics,” he said.

Ghebreyesus explained that multiple small trials with different methodologies may not give the clear, strong evidence needed about which treatments help to save lives.

Therefore WHO and its partners will be organising this study in various countries in which some of these untested treatments are compared with each other.

“This large, international study is designed to generate the robust data we need, to show which treatments are the most effective. We have called this study the Solidarity Trial,” said the Director General.

The Solidarity Trial provides simplified procedures to enable even hospitals that have been overloaded to participate.

Many countries have already confirmed that they will join the Solidarity Trial – Argentina, Bahrain, Canada, France, Iran, Norway, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland and Thailand.

Ghebreyesus said he trusts many more countries will join.

Meanwhile, the Director General said many countries are facing escalating epidemics and are feeling overwhelmed. Different countries and communities are in different situations, with different levels of transmission.

Every day, WHO is talking to ministers of health, heads of state, health workers, hospital managers, industry leaders, CEOs and more – to help them prepare and prioritize, according to their specific situation.

He said there were many things all countries can do.

“Physical distancing measures – like cancelling sporting events, concerts and other large gatherings – can help to slow transmission of the virus.

“They can reduce the burden on the health system. And they can help to make epidemics manageable, allowing targeted and focused measures.

“But to suppress and control epidemics, countries must isolate, test, treat and trace. If they don’t, transmission chains can continue at a low level, then resurge once physical distancing measures are lifted,” said Ghebreyesus.

WHO continues to recommend that isolating, testing and treating every suspected case, and tracing every contact, must be the backbone of the response in every country.

This is the best hope of preventing widespread community transmission.

By Lerato Mailoane

Gauteng Premier, David Makhura, has outlined the provincial government’s plan to deal with the outbreak of Coronavirus.

Briefing journalists on Wednesday, Makhura announced the names of the Members of the Executive Council (MECs) who will form part of the COVID-19 Executive Council Steering Committee to deal with the COVID-19 in the province.

According to Gauteng.gov.za, the council will be lead by MEC for Health, Bandile Masuku and he will be joined by MEC for Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation, Mbali Hlope; MEC for Roads and Transport, Jacob Mamabolo; MEC for Human Settlements, Co-operative Governance and Traditional affairs, Lebogang Maile; MEC for Infrastructure Development, MEC for Community Safety, Faith Mazibuko and the Director General of the province, Phindile Baleni will provide administrative support to the team.

“This response is necessary as the province has the largest number of cases, standing at 61 people testing positive for the Coronavirus.

“Gauteng is the most vulnerable province, as it is a point of entry in aviation. The province has the highest population. The province is densely populated and has the highest transport network that connects to the rest of the continent.

“Our capital city, Tshwane is the second largest diplomatic capital after Washington DC,” said Makhura.

He said the province has two points of entry, namely OR Tambo International Airport and Lanseria Airport which serve many people who visit South Africa and travel to many destinations in the world.

Following President Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement of the outbreak as a national disaster on Sunday, the Premier met with the provincial executive council, district and metro mayors, unions and various other sectors.

“We will introduce a number of measures in consultations with all stakeholders, particularly in the transport sector,” he said.

In addition, Makhura will meet with political parties on Thursday and with business and religious leaders on Friday.

The Health MEC said the work did not only start now. The province would set up a war room for monitoring and surveillance. His department was also planning to increase the bed capacity at public hospitals.

“We will escalate places for safety for quarantine in all five districts. We have met will clinicians across the province. We will circulate a circular to promote the measures all health officials must comply with,” Masuku said.

Designated hospitals for isolation of confirmed cases are currently Charlotte Maxeke Academic Hospital, the Steve Biko Academic Hospital as well as Tembisa Tertiary Hospital.

“We are also strengthening our capacity to undertake surveillance for COVID-19 at provincial and district levels. Two-hundred and fifty-nine contact tracers have been trained,” said MEC Masuku.

National Treasury has warned suppliers not to fall victim to opportunistic scams exploiting the COVID-19 outbreak.

“The current environment of the COVID-19 virus has given rise to opportunistic scammers hoping to make a quick buck from companies who supply goods and services to government. National Treasury wishes to bring these to the attention of suppliers,” said the National Treasury in a statement.

The department has, on behalf of government, awarded the following transversal contracts that provide items required to limit or prevent the transmission of COVID-19:

· Face masks and disposable aprons are available on RT32-2019

· Safety goggles and PVC boots are on RT64-2019

· Gloves are available on RT76-2020

· Sanitisers available on RT296 and are only for surfaces and not for application on hands.

The department said it is important for suppliers doing business with government to be aware and careful in responding to fake Requests For Quotations (RFQs) requesting the provision of the items or similar items.

“For items that are not on transversal contracts, National Treasury has already made alternative arrangements to augment the possible shortages in the system,” said Treasury.

The department said the onus remains with suppliers to ensure that the RFQs they respond to during this heightened period and beyond are in line with the commodities and services they registered for on the Central Supplier Database (CSD).

It is also their responsibility to contact the institutions directly to verify the validity of the RFQ.

Contracts are facilitated through the National Treasury for organs of state to procure common goods and services, said the department.

Hard work paid off for Eastern Cape police who recovered four illegal firearms and 35 rounds of ammunition, while also arresting nine suspects.

In the first incident, two men aged 34 and 69, as well as a 43-year-old woman were nabbed by a task team assisted by the K9 unit.

“The task team was specially assembled to fight faction fights at Khanyayo locality, Lusikisiki. The suspects were arrested today at about 03h00 after they were found in possession of a 9mm Norinco pistol with 8 rounds,” said Eastern Cape police on Wednesday.

Another 69-year-old man was arrested for possession of a Shotgun with 09 shells.

The woman was arrested for possession of a homemade shotgun, a shotgun shell, five R5 rifle rounds, two 9mm parabellum with 10 rounds, a R1 rifle with one round and LMG round.

In another unrelated incident, three men all aged 21 years were arrested by a Vispol and Detective team during an operation that was conducted at Xhongora and Mqhekezweni localities in Bityi.

“The suspects were wanted for the shooting and murder of two foreign nationals in two different incidents earlier this month. The suspects were found in possession of a 9mm pistol with four rounds.”

All suspects are expected to appear before Mthatha and Lusikisiki Magistrate Courts soon facing charges of possession of unlicensed firearms and unlawful possession of ammunition.

Following the declaration of a national state of disaster, the National Gambling Board (NGB) has cautioned the public to avoid the temptation to access unlicensed gambling operators.

Among the interventions announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa in his address to the nation as part of government’s effort to contain the spread of the Coronavirus, was the prohibition of gatherings of more than 100 people.

In a statement on Wednesday, the NGB said it is confident that licensed gambling establishments will take the necessary precautionary steps to implement the proactive measures called for by the President, particularly in instances where there will be gatherings of up to 100 persons or more on their premises.

“However, in the event that licensed gambling establishments are temporarily closed for business owing to an escalation of the pandemic, the NGB cautions the public to avoid the temptation to access unlicensed gambling operators, which may still be operational despite the preventive measures in place, whether physically or on online platforms,” said the board.

The board said unlicensed gambling operators have been, and continue to be unlawful.

“Consequently, members of the public accessing their services will have no certainty of protection in terms of hygiene / health, and no legal recourse in terms of ‘punter protection’ as provincial licensing authorities and the NGB will not be able to intervene in solving winnings-related disputes.”

The NGB, which is an agency of the Department of Trade and Industry (dti) urged the public to abide by the President’s announcement, as these measures have been put in place for their benefit.

It encouraged the public to refrain from gambling where the usual gambling destinations are unavailable.

“The NGB encourages the public to instead exercise patience and wait until the situation improves. The NGB encourages the public to be vigilant against unlawful gambling activities, and to contact the NGB for any further information.”

All higher institutions of learning will close for early recess with effect from Wednesday, 18 March 2020.

Higher Education, Science and Technology Minister, Dr Blade Nzimande, made this announcement following a meeting with stakeholders, as part of South Africa’s bid to combat the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19).

Nzimande met with the stakeholders in the post school education sector, including amongst others the Universities South Africa (USAf), the South African College Principals Organisation (SACPO), the South African Union of Students (SAUS), and labour unions (National Education Health and Allied Workers’ Union, Public Servants Association of South Africa and National Tertiary Education Union) in Tshwane on Tuesday.

The meeting formed part of government’s consultations following President Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement on measures to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.

Announcing the outcome of the meeting at a media briefing, Nzimande said stakeholders have agreed that all post-school institutions will close for early recess with effect from 18 March 2020 and reopen on 15 April 2020.

This would be based on the assessment of the course of the virus.

“Some aspects of institutional activities will continue during this period, such as postgraduate and research work. Institutions will, however, be utilising this break period to identify and explore digital and online methodologies for teaching and learning that may need to be put in place to support the academic programme at a later stage.”

“This may be particularly important for contact teaching in a range of programmes at the majority of our colleges and universities. The decision by institutions will be based on scientific evidence and institutional considerations,” Nzimande said.

Institutional arrangements

Institutional arrangements will also include accommodation arrangement for students and leave arrangements for workers.

It was also agreed that all institutions will announce further measures to be taken to minimise the risks to both department staff and its entities

Guidelines

Nzimande emphasised that the early recess is not a shutdown, adding that the department continues to be led by guidelines that took place as from Monday.

The following guidelines apply to all public post-school institutions with immediate effect:

• All international travel should be cancelled or postponed at this point in time and any students or staff of public institutions, who may have a critical reason to travel internationally, should consult the relevant authorities at their institution and are required to report their planned travel according to the institutional protocols in place.
• All individuals, who have travelled internationally within the past three weeks, should self-isolate for a period of 14 days, and students or staff members of public institutions are required to report their travel to the institutional authorities before their return, so that their possible return to work/study can be effectively monitored.
• Travel within South Africa should be limited to essential travel at the current time and wherever possible, planned meetings, symposia or conferences should be restricted, and alternative formats explored, including the use of ITC.
• Institutions should explore all other possible means to replace face-to-face meetings, lectures of more than 100 people and gatherings with other formats where this can be done, and should consider postponing or cancelling all large-scale gatherings, including graduation ceremonies, large conferences and symposia, for at least the next three months.
• Every institution needs to have in place a communication strategy to manage regular communication with its community. Public health information is readily available through the NICD and the DOH and the Universities South Africa webpage will also be updated with regular communication to the university community.

Communication channels

Nzimande said that the department will also ensure that regular communication channels with the management of institutions is in place, so that information can be cascaded to institutional communities.

“Every institution has its own context, which will require individual communication plans to be in place. Student health clinics across post-school institutions have been working with Higher Health (Higher Education and Training Health, Wellness and Development Centre) to ensure readiness to deal with COVID-19 infections.”

Higher Health works closely with the Department of Health and the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) in this regard.

“It is important that student health services are closely involved in the communications strategies and plans of individual institutions,” the Minister said.

In addition, Higher Health has developed sector specific guidelines and capacity development initiatives for COVID-19.

Nzimande noted that no international student has been diagnosed with COVID-19.  To date, about 1 500 South African students are currently studying in China.

Parliament has announced that it will be closed to the public until further notice and arrangements are being made to reduce the number of staff members in the precinct.

This comes after President Cyril Ramaphosa declared the COVID-19 outbreak a national disaster on Sunday.

A special meeting between Presiding Officers, chief whips and party representatives was held on Tuesday to discuss the parliamentary programme and to receive a briefing on institutional arrangements in light of the President’s announcement.

The meeting agreed that a sitting of the National Assembly will be held on Wednesday to consider matters, which have specific time-frames and require consideration by the assembly.

“At the conclusion of the sitting on Wednesday 18 March 2020, the business of the Assembly, which includes sittings of the House, committees and public hearings, will be suspended until further notice.

“The last sitting of the National Council of Provinces will be on Thursday, 19 March 2020 and its business will also be suspended until further notice,” said Parliament in its statement.

The Presiding Officers encouraged all members, staff and visitors to take the necessary personal precautions.

Various preventative measures against the Coronavirus have been put in place, including sanitisers, screening checks for members, staff and visitors as well as a medical support team.

The Public Service Commission (PSC) has suspended the lodging of grievances and complaints through walk-ins at its national office and nine provincial offices.

The suspension of walk-ins comes as the country aligns with President Cyril Ramaphosa’s call to the public to contain the spread of the Coronavirus pandemic.

On Sunday, 15 March 2020, the President declared the Coronavirus outbreak in the country a national state of disaster.

“Complainants and aggrieved public servants who wish to engage with the Public Service Commission are encouraged to use alternative means,” said the PSC.

This can be done via the following communication channels:

1. Telephone. Contact details of the National Office/ Provincial Offices are also available on the PSC’s website (www.psc.gov.za).
2. National Anti-Corruption Hotline: Toll-free number: 0800 701 701 or E-mail: nach@psc.gov.za.
3. E-mail addresses:

The following people can also be contacted:

The Basic Education Department has dismissed a media report that it is backtracking on its Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) initiative.

“That is false. There is no truth in this headline nor is there accuracy whatsoever in the first paragraph of the article,” said the department of a Sunday newspaper article.

Such articles said the department on Tuesday, not only border on fake news but are also damaging efforts aimed at addressing a whole range of social ills that impact negatively on the lives of young people.

The Department of Basic Education clarified, that it is continuing with a pilot on the use of Scripted Lesson Plans (SLPs) on Comprehensive Sexuality Education in 1500 schools in five provinces.

The DBE is testing the use of SLPs in schools.  The contents of the teacher guides and learner books have been published on the DBE website www.education.gov.za  for members of the public to review.

The purpose of CSE is to address sexual abuse, HIV infections, learner pregnancy, and bullying among others. It also aims to help learners to make the correct decisions and stay in school until they complete Grade 12.

Since the introduction of CSE in 2000, the DBE has held continuous consultative engagements with stakeholders, both at national and provincial level.

“These engagements were specifically informed by, among others, the South African National HIV Prevalence, high rates of learner and teenage pregnancy which resulted in school dropout,” it said.