News24.com | LIVE | We bring you all the latest updates, as Covid-19 cases in SA jump to 1 380
2020-04-01 20:00
Stay up to date with the latest news, views and analysis as the number of coronavirus cases in SA increases.
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But he had a warning for South Africans: the current situation may be just the calm before the storm.
Here are five important points:
1. Mkhize was speaking at the launch of 60 mobile clinic units, which will go out into communities to test people. Those units will be able to do a test in just 45 minutes. The minister said this was part of the government’s plan to be proactive, rather than reactive, and get a proper hold of the spread of the virus. He said, because the country’s testing plan has been “reactive” so far, we may not have a full picture of the extent of the spread of the virus. “Even though the number seems high, it is very low compared to the number of challenges faced by South Africa,” Mkhize warned.
2. He said there has been a “slower increase” in positive cases, which could be result of closing of the borders, he says. Enforcing quarantine of travellers is another. He says the lockdown has slowed the spread of local transmissions.
3. He said the plan was to increase the number of tests that could be done across the 10 laboratories in the country to increase to 5 000 per day by next week.
4. Mkhize said the Presidency will reach out to Cuba and China for “reinforcements” of medical staff to help fight the coronavirus.
5. Mkhize said the government envisioned that every town in the country would have earmarked a premises to house people suffering with Covid-19.
The death toll still stands at five.
Pictured is Zweli Mkhize
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Despite loud appeals for caution, Africans are rushing to embrace chloroquine, the venerable anti-malaria drug touted as a possible treatment for coronavirus. From hospitals in Senegal to pharmaceutical companies in South Africa and street sellers in Cameroon, chloroquine has fired hopes of a medicinal fix against a virus that is set to scythe through Africa’s poorly protected countries.
A man found dead on a train in Thailand has tested positive for the coronavirus, as the country’s death toll from the contagion more than triples from a week ago, AFP reports. The 57 year old, who had just returned from Pakistan and was travelling from Bangkok to the southern province of Narathiwat, was seen “coughing and vomiting” before boarding the train on Monday, State Railway of Thailand said.
AFP reports that Spain’s death toll surged past 9 000 on Wednesday as overall infections passed the 100 000 mark. Spain has the world’s second-highest death toll after Italy, with the virus so far claiming 9 053 lives.
embrace chloroquine, the venerable anti-malaria drug touted as a possible treatment for coronavirus. From hospitals in Senegal to pharmaceutical companies in South Africa and street sellers in Cameroon, chloroquine has fired hopes of a medicinal fix against a virus that is set to scythe through Africa’s poorly protected countries.
A man found dead on a train in Thailand has tested positive for the coronavirus, as the country’s death toll from the contagion more than triples from a week ago, AFP reports. The 57 year old, who had just returned from Pakistan and was travelling from Bangkok to the southern province of Narathiwat, was seen "coughing and vomiting" before boarding the train on Monday, State Railway of Thailand said.
AFP reports that Spain’s death toll surged past 9 000 on Wednesday as overall infections passed the 100 000 mark. Spain has the world’s second-highest death toll after Italy, with the virus so far claiming 9 053 lives.
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South Africa coronavirus lockdown update:
– The first repatriation flight left OR Tambo International Airport bound for Brazil on Wednesday morning. It had 321 passengers on board and the crew was not allowed to disembark in SA.
– Dirco Minister Naledi Pandor says that developing countries will urgently be given assistance in terms of the provision of ventilators to counter Covid-19. According to her reading of G20 ministers, Africa is on the priority list for the life-saving devices.
– UWC has opted for a virtual graduation ceremony to counter the spread of coronavirus which has so far infected 1 353 and killed five in South Africa. The ceremony lasted 30 minutes.
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SA coronavirus update:
– South African banks are offering a number of measures to help financially stressed consumers cope during the coronavirus lockdown period. Most of the help is in the form of short-term payment holidays and debt relief offers.
– Community health workers across Gauteng are complaining of shortages in protective gear from the virus and are demanding more than the current R3 500 monthly stipend.
– A small study suggests that transfusing blood rich with antibodies from surviving Covid-19 patients to sufferers might improve their chances of survival. The study was only done with five patients, but if it’s successful in a large trial, might point to a solution to combat the virus.
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South Africa coronavirus catch-up:
– Justice Minister Ronald Lamola says that petty criminals who are arrested must be released and warned to appear in court. The strategy is designed to limit the spread of coronavirus, but he did not specify the nature of the petty crimes.
– The latest regulations on the South African coronavirus lockdown has been relaxed to allow taxis to transport full loads of people. However, the rules only this under strict sanitary conditions.
– The national drug regulator has warned doctors not to prescribe unproven medications for coronavirus, as the country battles a pandemic that has infected 1 353 and killed five people so far.
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Europe coronavirus death toll tops 30 000: AFP tally
A total of 30 063 deaths from coronavirus have been recorded in Europe out of a total 458 601 cases, making it the continent that has been hit hardest by Covid-19.
The most deaths were recorded in Italy, with some 12 428 fatalities, followed by Spain with 8 189 and France with 3 523.
– AFP
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SA coronavirus catch-up:
Mary Oppenheimer matches other wealthy South Africans and donates R1 billion toward fighting coronavirus as the local death rate reached five people.
One of those killed was renowned scientist Professor Gita Ramjee, who specialised in HIV infection and prevention.
Former Western Cape ANC leader Marius Fransman announced a positive result for Covid-19.
In response to the outbreak which has infected 1 353, the government announced that it will utilise existing state infrastructure rather than building new hospitals to cope with the pandemic.
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GLOBAL WRAP: Global deaths from coronavirus rise above 41 000
Deaths from the coronavirus pandemic rose to over 41 000 overnight on Tuesday and global infections are edging toward one million at 828 240 cases. The death rate spiked as hundreds died in Spain, France and Britain. France hit a daily record for its death rate of 499 and 381 died in the UK.
In Italy, doctors warned that patients discharged from hospital while still positive for the virus were “biological bombs”. The country which has the highest death rate from the virus has 28 000 people in hospital and resources are being stretched as infections continue to rise.
In the US which now leads the world in infections of coronavirus, the White House projected 100 000 to 240 000 deaths from the pandemic, despite social distancing strategies.
– Sourced from AFP
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