The number of people who have tested positive for Covid-19 in South Africa has risen to 1 380.

Health Minister Zweli Mkhize revealed there were 27 new cases during a briefing on Wednesday evening.

Gauteng is leading the pack with 645 cases followed by the Western Cape (326), KwaZulu-Natal (186), the Free State (76), North West (9), Northern Cape (7), Eastern Cape (15), Mpumalanga (12), and 14 in Limpopo.

Mkhize said 44 220 people have been tested, adding the majority were tested at private laboratories.

“Even though the number seems high, it is very low compared to the number of challenges faced by South Africa.”

He raised concerns about the upcoming winter, saying some people might not know the difference between a common cold and Covid-19 symptoms.

Mkhize described the low number of infections as the “calm before the devastating storm” ahead of the upcoming flu season.

“This will flood our hospitals and clinics and create a fertile ground for the coronavirus to spread or to be masked in its presentation. This means with this small growth in numbers we may be experiencing the calm before the devastating storm.

“We need to be aware that there may not be many further warnings before the pounding descends…”

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He added 67 mobile sampling and testing vehicles, which are equipped with laboratory equipment, would be dispatched to multiple provinces to undertake proactive testing to curb the pandemic from spreading further, especially in vulnerable areas.

Mkhize said the current testing capacity had been pushed to 5 000 tests in 24 hours.

Mobile laboratories are expected to increase the testing capacity to 30 000 tests in 24 hours.

“They will be used for rapid tests kits whenever they become available. They will be focusing on people tested in communities.”

Mkhize said case identification needed to be undertaken, and called on each province to start with its own strategies.

READ | Coronavirus hotline: Hundreds of SA doctors will now give you free advice

“About 993 priority wards have been identified that we need to focus on. That identification will be integrated by MECs in their hotspots of people who have been tested and their contacts. If we are focused, we can defeat Covid-19. There is a slow reduction of increase [in cases of Covid-19].

“We have now closed borders. The large numbers of infections were driven by people from countries infected. The lockdown has reduced the spread of the virus through large gatherings and overcrowded transport routes,” he added.

Mkhize called on the nation to remain alert and be more vigilant than ever before.

“Internal transmission has started and will have a tendency to spread silently. People with mild symptoms in poor areas may not seek assistance immediately.

“We need to tests hundreds of thousands of our population. People with access to private doctors have largely been tested.”

He said the current lockdown might leave people with limited access to public hospitals especially in poor communities because of transportation difficulties.

However, Mkhize added ending the lockdown would have rebounding effects on the country.

2020-03-31 06:00

Stay up to date with the latest news, views and analysis as the number of coronavirus cases in SA increases.

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15:29

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Pandor says the department will continue to render consular services in the context of restrictions countries have introduced.  

 

If you can afford to return at your own cost, please do so, says Pandor.  

 

Some are students have been moved out of residents and now have nowhere to go; some people have arranged private charter flights.

15:25

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All of us are impacted by Covid-19, says Pandor and adds that many countries have lockdowns similar to SA.  

 

People movement has been limited to prevent transmission of the coronavirus.  

 

Says many people have been stranded both in SA and in other parts of the world. We are trying to assist them as much as possible with the ambit of the regulations.  

 

Pandor says repatriation of South Africans is a priority: 723 are students, 204 are workers, 224 are tourists, 320 have not revealed status, says Pandor

15:17

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We are complying with what the department of health wants us to do in order to contain the coronavirus, says Mbalula.  

 

Regulations will be gazetted on Wednesday.  

 

Medical emergency flights, technical landings, overflights are allowed.  

 

Safety related operations are allowed to land at South African airports.  

 

Air cargo will be permitted, says Mbalula

15:12

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South Africans were stranded in foreign countries when the lockdown was declared, and they will be allowed to come home.  

 

“We cater for South Africans who want to come back home,” says Mbalula.  

 

No airlines coming from outside SA, whether they come from risk countries or not, he says.  

15:10

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Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula says his department has had a meeting with the taxi industry and discusses aviation.  

 

All international and domestic passenger flights are prohibited, except flight especially authorised by the ministry for the evacuation of nationals from foreign countries.  

 

Crew of chartered flights cannot disembark in SA and South African citizens in foreign countries can return provide they have a return flight and agree to be checked for coronavirus

15:03

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The department is facilitating access to cash so that spaza shops can buy stock as well as tools for compliance for environment and business management.  

 

Licencing of owner-operated spaza shops will also be facilitated in compliance with the law.  

 

Registration with SARS doesn’t mean you have to pay SARS, but you have to file returns to SARS, says Ntshavheni

14:59

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Small Business Development Minister Khumbudzo Ntshavheni briefs on small business development plans during lockdown.  

 

Forms for small business relief can be downloaded from the website, but appeals to SMMEs not to clog the system with multiple applications.  

 

By tomorrow, (Wednesday) reference numbers will be issued for fund allocations.  

 

Loan re-scheduling will be finalised on Friday

14:51

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March salaries should have been paid, says Nxesi and thanks employers who paid workers the full March salaries.  

 

Slams employers who do not provide essential services who are forcing their employees to work.  

 

“This is a criminal offence,” he says

14:50

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There has been some resistance from some employers on UIF funds.  

 

“These are public funds and they must be ordered,” says Nxesi.  

 

Call the hotline number on 012 337 1997 from 08:00 to 20:00, Monday to Friday

14:46

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Labour Minister Thulas Nxesi talks to leave arrangements.

 

Says the department is receiving concerns that employers are shifting burden of the lockdown on to workers.  

 

Some workers have to take unpaid leave during the lockdown.  

 

“This is a unique situation that requires all of us to act in a manner that promotes social solidarity,” says Nxesi.  

 

The UIF cannot deal with the millions of individual claims.

14:24

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Zulu says improvements were discussed.  

 

Cash management confirms there will be enough cash in ATMs to meet supply, says Zulu.  

 

Some NGOs were of assistance as well as crowd management was better today (Tuesday) than yesterday (Monday).  

 

The number of chairs was increased to ensure that people could sit comfortably, says Zulu.  

 

Additional Sassa staff deployed at pay-points and SAPO has ordered more cash for beneficiaries.  

 

Some beneficiaries died just after receiving Sassa grants as well as those who died before receiving the grant.  

14:17

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Zulu says there are discussions under way to limit queues for the collection of social grants.  

 

Overcrowding and queues were key challenges faced.  

 

Social distancing compliance and application of hygiene guidance was lacking yesterday, says Zulu.  

 

She also complains that money was not available and money ran out

14:11

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Social Development Minister Lindiwe Zulu thanks communities who assisted on the first day of Sassa grant payments.  

 

Thanks community workers who “came out in their numbers” and assisted the elderly.  

 

“Yesterday we started quite well,” says Zulu on paying of social grants.

13:51

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Indonesia declares state of emergency as virus toll jumps

 

Indonesian leader Joko Widodo declared a state of emergency on Tuesday as coronavirus deaths in the world’s fourth most populous country jumped again, but he resisted calls for a nationwide lockdown.

 

Widodo’s administration has been heavily criticised for not imposing lockdowns in major cities, including the capital Jakarta, a vast megalopolis home to about 30 million people where most of the country’s virus deaths have been reported.

 

– AFP

13:05

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Spain sees record death toll with 849 fatalities in 24 hours, says government

 

Once again, Spain hit a new record with 849 people dying of Covid-19 in 24 hours, hiking the overall death toll to 8 189, the government said on Tuesday.

 

The increase came after a day in which the number of deaths had fallen slightly, raising hopes the epidemic could be reaching a peak in Spain, which has logged the world’s second-highest number of deaths from the virus, after Italy.

 

Another 9 222 people tested positive for the virus over the past 24 hours, raising the total number of confirmed cases to 94 417.

 

– AFP

13:03

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Iran reports 141 new virus deaths, raising total to 2 898

 

Iran said on Tuesday 141 more people have died from the novel coronavirus, raising the official toll in one of the world’s worst-affected countries to 2 898.

 

Health ministry spokesperson Kianoush Jahanpour said 3 111 new infections have been confirmed over the past 24 hours, bringing the total to 44 606.

 

He said 3 703 of those hospitalised are in a critical condition and 14 656 have recovered.

 

– AFP

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11:54

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12-year-old infected with coronavirus dies in Belgium

 

A 12-year-old girl confirmed infected with Covid-19 has died in Belgium, health officials said on Tuesday.

 

The young age of the fatality “is a very rare occurrence”, said a government spokesperson, Dr Emmanuel Andre, adding that her death “shook us”.

 

It was the first death of a child in the coronavirus crisis gripping Belgium, which has now recorded a total 705 deaths from the disease it causes, according to the latest official toll.

 

– AFP

11:38

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Europe sends medical gear to Iran in first sanction-bypass deal

 

European nations have delivered medical goods to Iran in the first transaction under the Instex mechanism set up to evade American sanctions on Tehran, the German foreign ministry said on Tuesday.

 

“France, Germany and the United Kingdom confirm that Instex has successfully concluded its first transaction, facilitating the export of medical goods from Europe to Iran. These goods are now in Iran,” the ministry said in a statement.

 

– AFP

11:29

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Tanzania records its first death from coronavirus

 

Tanzania on Tuesday recorded its first death from coronavirus, a 49-year-old man who had underlying health issues, the health ministry said.

 

The East African nation has reported cases since 16 March, including foreign travellers and those with whom they have had contacts. One person has so far recovered.

 

– AFP

10:44

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Austria flies in care workers to prevent coronavirus gaps

 

Chartered flights brought more than 200 workers to Austria on Monday to ensure that the provision of care to the elderly and vulnerable was not disrupted by coronavirus-related travel restrictions, a regional official said.

 

– AFP

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10:23

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Russians face up to five years’ jail for spreading false coronavirus news

 

Russian lawmakers were set on Tuesday to consider legislation imposing severe punishment – including up to five years in prison – for people convicted of spreading false information about the coronavirus.

 

If a person were to be found guilty of inadvertantly causing a person’s death or other grave consequences by spreading “intentionally false” information about life-threatening circumstances, he would face a fine of up to 2 million rubles ($25 000) or up to five years in prison.

 

– AFP

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2020-03-30 08:24

It is now abundantly clear that the most effective way for a society to contain the spread of the disease is for the population to remain at home and physically isolated from each other for at least several weeks, writes President Cyril Ramaphosa in his weekly newsletter.

Dear Fellow South African, 

As we begin the first full week of the nationwide lockdown to combat the coronavirus pandemic that is devastating the world, we are grateful for good news that brings us joy and hope at this difficult and uncertain time.

Yesterday, I was in Polokwane to meet the 114 South Africans who were evacuated from Wuhan in China two weeks ago. They have ended their quarantine and are finally going home to be with their families. They have all tested negative for the virus and are in good health and good spirits.

For months, they have been in lockdown, first in Wuhan for some 51 days and then in Polokwane for 14 days. They have been unable to be with their loved ones, unable to leave their living quarters and uncertain about when their ordeal would end. When we add the remaining 17 days that South Africa will be under lockdown they will have been under lockdown for 82 days.

It was wonderful to spend time with this diverse group of South Africans made up of all ages, languages and backgrounds. I was impressed by their resilience and courage and by their determination to remain healthy. They have come from the epicentre of the coronavirus in Wuhan in China and have seen the devastating impact this virus is wreaking on human life. It is not surprising to hear them say that they are on a mission to safeguard the health of those around them. Now their patience and fortitude has been rewarded, because they are returning to their families.

Their return home was made possible by a great many people who went to great lengths to make this repatriation operation a success.

As a nation, we are extremely grateful to the Government and the people of China for taking such good care of our citizens, and for their assistance in organising their repatriation. It is significant that several of the South Africans in Wuhan were on study scholarships from the Chinese government; an act of generosity that is deeply appreciated.

We are grateful too to all the people who were involved in the operation, from the SAA flight crew to the medical team to the police and soldiers who brought them home. Each and every one of them stepped forward to take responsibility for the safety and well-being of others. They were prepared to undertake a difficult and dangerous mission and to subject themselves to quarantine. And now, they all tell me, they are ready for their next mission.

I wish to thank the staff and management of the Ranch Hotel in Polokwane, who took great care of the returnees. They were prepared to play their part in our national effort to overcome this disease. Everyone involved in this operation has done South Africa proud.

ALSO READ: Cyril Ramaphosa | Coronavirus crisis puts SA to the test

The experience of the South Africans in Wuhan demonstrates the effectiveness – and the necessity – of a state of lockdown. It was due to the drastic actions that the Chinese government took to contain the disease in the city of Wuhan, that all of our people were able to return uninfected and healthy.

Wuhan, a city of 11 million people in the province of Hubei, had more than 50 000 infections. Now, after more than two months after stringent lockdown measures were put in place, the province has had fewer than 20 new cases in the past two weeks.

The containment of the disease in Wuhan City, in Hubei Province and in other places across China required a massive and extraordinary effort. It involved drastic restrictions on daily life and is having a severe impact on the Chinese economy. Other countries that have taken similar measures are having greater success in managing the spread of the disease than countries that have been slower to respond.

As the total number of confirmed Covid-19 cases worldwide grows to over 700 000 and the number of deaths exceeds 33 000, we can draw lessons from these countries.

It is now abundantly clear that the most effective way for a society to contain the spread of the disease is for the population to remain at home and physically isolated from each other for at least several weeks. And it is important that this lockdown and all other emergency measures are both strictly adhered to and consistently enforced. 

As the South Africans from Wuhan can testify, such restrictions on daily life, on movement and on ordinary human contact are extremely difficult to endure. In the South African context, a lockdown brings additional hardship and strain, and we are doing everything within our means to lessen the impact on our people.

But the lesson from the South Africans in Wuhan is that a lockdown works. It shows that if we strictly observe the rules in place to stop the virus spreading, we will be able to bring infection rates down. It shows that if we cooperate with health authorities in doing what we have to do, we won’t be just saving our own lives but those around us too.

The story of our South African returnees from Wuhan should give us encouragement and hope in the difficult weeks that lie ahead.

Their story tells us that there is a light at the end of the tunnel, that if we stay the course, that if we remain disciplined and respect the lockdown, that if we work together, we will overcome.

With best wishes,

A 70-year-old doctor in the Free State is in the intensive care unit after contracting the coronavirus, health minister Zweli Mkhize confirmed on Saturday.

He is one of 12 doctors who have been confirmed to have tested positive for Covid-19.

“It must be emphasised that none of these health workers were infected by patients that they were treating,” Mkhize said.

“They came into contact with their family members, friends and other colleagues who had tested positive for Covid-19. All individuals who were identified as contacts of these health workers have been put in quarantine and are being monitored.”

READ | Coronavirus in SA: All the confirmed cases

In Limpopo and Mpumalanga, one medical doctor from each province had tested positive after travelling abroad on holiday.

In the Free State, three doctors, one nurse and one neurophysicist tested positive for Covid-19.

Six doctors have been affected in Gauteng, Mkhize said.

“[Excluding the Free State doctor] all these health workers are in a good medical condition with most of them having mild or no symptoms,” Mkhize said.

“All individuals who were identified as contacts of these health workers have been put in quarantine and are being monitored.”

Mkhize said he was concerned by the number of health workers confirmed to have been infected in both private and public hospitals.

“This includes doctors and nurses. We mention this because health workers are in the frontline of this battle. They are exposed not only to their families but to the patients who they are meant to treat,” he said.

The number of confirmed coronavirus cases on Saturday increased to 1187 from Friday’s 1170.

Mkhize, however, said that these numbers – which show only 17 new cases – should not be seen as a decrease in the number of infections.

WATCH | Zulu gives clarity on co-parenting: You are not allowed to move your children

“It is merely a reflection of positive results that were received, verified and ready for today’s reporting,” he pointed out.

Gauteng, the Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal had the most infections at 533, 271 and 156 respectively.

The Northern Cape, Eastern Cape and Limpopo had the least at 5, 10 and 11 cases.

A total of 117 was listed as unallocated.