Coronavirus related deaths rise to 75, as 318 new infections bring SA’s total to 3 953

Many measures are available to help South African businesses – and individuals – get through a crippling coronavirus-induced economic crisis.

Government has introduced a range of tax breaks for companies.

More than 7 000 people in the Eastern Cape have been tested for Covid-19, while a further 400 000 have been screened to date as the province faces a rapid rise in confirmed cases.

In a statement on Thursday, the provincial Department of Health attributed the increased testing to the mass screening and testing campaign the province had embarked on.

Department spokesperson Sizwe Kupelo said while the numbers would likely continue to increase, the department would be testing as many people as possible so that those who needed to be treated could get medical help when needed.

On Wednesday evening, Health Minister Zweli Mkhize announced 377 people have tested positive for the virus.

“The Western Cape is saddened to announce another three deaths in the province- bringing the total number of deaths to 25-two women aged 62 and 63 respectively and a 41 year old man. We send our condolences to their family and loved ones at this time.”

“Africa has made significant progress over the past 20 years in stopping malaria from claiming lives. While Covid-19 is a major health threat, it’s critical to maintain malaria prevention and treatment programmes.

“The new modelling shows deaths could exceed 700 000 this year alone. We haven’t seen mortality levels like that in 20 years. We must not turn back the clock” said Dr Moeti.

“I urge all countries to not lose focus on their gains made in health as they adapt to tackle this new threat,” said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Director for Africa.

Confirmed Covid-19 cases in Africa continue to rise, now exceeding 25 000. WHO is supporting countries in all aspects of the Covid-19 response and has recently published guidelines for ensuring the continuation of critical health services, including immunization and anti-malaria campaigns. 

A top Cape Town doctor has denied he authored a viral WhatsApp message about the coronavirus crisis in South Africa, which had been attributed to him – the second such incident involving a top medical expert in less than a month.

From the end of March, the Competition Commission received “several complaints from the public against several retail stores owned by Dis-Chem for engaging in excessive pricing of face masks, specifically dusk and surgical masks,” it said.

The referral followed an investigation by the Commission which found that Dis-Chem charged “excessive prices” on essential hygienic goods, which disadvantaged customers and consumers.

The worldwide death toll from the novel coronavirus pandemic rose to 183 707 on Thursday.

“While industrial action in the health sector is not ideal and not promoted by HOSPERSA, our members also have a right to voice out their grievances against the employer and demand support from their Union.

“We will support them in their action but we also remain adamant that government will take heed to our concerns and address the brewing tension which could hinder the country’s fight against Covid-19,” concluded Desfontaines.

“Hospersa is concerned over the brewing mood amongst health workers to resort to industrial action,” said Hospersa General Secretary Noel Desfontaines.

“We have received numerous concerns from our members that government is failing to show appreciation for their efforts during this fight against Covid-19.” 

Health workers are distraught that they were ignored by President Ramaphosa when he announced his R500 billion stimulus package.

The Union is concerned that calls for health workers to suspend their services will be identified by disgruntled health workers unless government addresses their demands. 

Hospersa, a Union of more than 60 000 health workers in the public and private health sector, has raised concerns over the increasing mood of discontent amongst its health workers wanting to join forces with other health workers threatening to go on strike over the non-response to their concerns by government.

The data over the past three weeks shows that the number of new jobless claims has been declining each week.

Last week the number of claims stood at 5.2 million, and in the week prior to that, it was at 6.6 million.

Economists had projected claims to come in at 4.5 million, Bloomberg reported. A Reuters poll suggested it would come in at 4.1 million.

Keeping you up to date on the latest novel coronavirus (Covid-19) news from around the world.

The total number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in Gauteng as at 22 April 2020 sits at 1224, with 826 recoveries and 7 deaths

The SA National Defence Force (SANDF) says it has already called up “a large number” of its reserve members across the army, navy, air force, and military health service, while others have been told to prepare to be called up at 25 hours notice.

The PSG Group, which owns companies like Capitec, Curro and private higher education group, Stadio, says South Africa does not have “the luxury to remain in lockdown”.

The intensive care ward at Abderrahmane Memmi hospital near Tunis – where the most serious Covid-19 cases are treated – has received a total of 29 patients since the start of the pandemic in March, 11 of whom have died.

In total Tunisia has reported 38 deaths from the respiratory disease, a toll that has remained stable in recent days.

Keeping you up to date on the latest novel coronavirus (Covid-19) news from around the world.

The company will cut the salaries of group executive committee and senior leadership members by 20%, and of middle and junior managers by between 10% and 15%.

he World Health Organisation (WHO) on Wednesday warned that the coronavirus crisis will not end any time soon, with many countries only in the early stages of the fight, as the global death toll surpassed 180 000.

As the government seeks to relax some of the rules governing the nationwide lockdown, access to sit-in restaurants, bars and sporting events would likely remain restricted, according to a leaked, draft discussion document prepared by the Presidency.

Confirming the validity of the draft document, Presidency spokesperson Khusela Diko said it was prepared as an early input into the development of a “risk-adjusted approach” to resuming economic activity.

Who can claim from the UIF at this time? How does the new coronavirus benefit work? How much will I get?

Police from various station precincts in Cape Town, supported by Public Order Police members, had their hands full quelling sporadic incidents of public violence and theft as stores were looted on Wednesday.

“An employee at the plant first reported a positive test for Covid-19 the weekend before Easter, a week after the employee was last on site,” corporate affairs and sustainable business director South Africa Shobna Persadh told News24 on Tuesday.

Your latest coronavirus news: According to a leaked draft document, there could still be restrictions after lockdown, even if some rules are relaxed; union representing 15 000 nurses threatens a mass stayaway; and concerns over medical masks stocks.

A draft plan circulating in government circles is giving South Africa a glimpse of what life after lockdown may look like – and when booze will be on sale again.

The pandemic has sparked not only a health emergency, but a global economic rout, with businesses struggling to survive, millions left jobless, and millions more facing starvation.

The United States on Wednesday recorded 1 738 deaths from the coronavirus in the past 24 hours, a lower toll than the day before, according to a running tally by Johns Hopkins University.

The new deaths bring the total number of Covid-19 fatalities in the US to 46 583 since the outbreak began there, by far the highest figures recorded by any country caught in the global pandemic.

– AFP

The number of positive cases now sits at 3 635 – an increase of 170.

Some promise has been shown, however, in the epicentre Gauteng, where 781 people have recovered.

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A draft plan from the Presidency says the country would face serious economic strain if the lockdown is extended. This includes tourism, aviation and arts sectors left so bloodied that they would likely only be able to pay 5% of their staff at the end of May.

The same draft plan says wearing cloth masks may be compulsory when using any form of transport, when the lockdown is eventually lifted. Business Insider reports that the plan also suggests that the country continues to restrict travelling between provinces and that restaurants stay closed.

Communications Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams was slapped with a R1 000 fine after pleading guilty for contravening lockdown regulations. The minister hit headlines this month after a photo of her at a luncheon with former Deputy Higher Education Minister, Mduduzi Manana, for which she later apologised.

DA interim leader John Steenhuisen has found himself in hot water after he tweeted a letter saying President Cyril Ramaphosa had authorised the deployment of an additional 73 000 army members to assist with coronavirus fight until 26 June. The Joint Standing Committee on Defence has agreed to refer Steenhuisen to national Speaker Thandi Modise.

Police Minister Bheki Cele announced that murders are down by 1 110, when comparing from 27 March this year and the rate in March-April last year. The minister attributed this drop to the alcohol ban, increased patrols and the lockdown.

Tensions are boiling over in Cape Town, with yet more incidents of unrest over food – this time, residents tried to loot Watergate Mall.

The US has committed an extra R250 million to assist South Africa’s Covid-19 fight. In total, the US has given South Africa R410 million.

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