The number of people who travelled from the Western Cape to the Eastern Cape during the inter-provincial grace period that have tested positive for Covid-19, has jumped to 137 from 80.
Eastern Cape Health MEC Sindiswa Gomba announced the 57 new cases on Sunday morning.
She said the travellers had entered the provincial borders through Tsitsikamma and Aberdeen during the grace period for inter-provincial travel between 1 May and 7 May.
This had contributed to the province’s number of confirmed cases climbing to 1 078 as of Saturday night, she said.
Gomba revealed that the majority of the new positive cases were in the OR Tambo, Buffalo City, Amathole and Graaff-Reinet municipalities.
“Teams are now tracing and tracking their contacts using the newly handed over 4×4 bakkies, as those in Graaff-Reinet had also attended a funeral.”
The MEC had previously raised concern over funeral services, which she deemed the worst spreaders of the virus.
Gomba said the rising number of positive coronavirus cases in the province was a cause for concern.
While concerned about the number of confirmed cases and deaths, there has also been some good news, Gomba said. This came as the province recorded 519 recoveries. Gomba attributed this to a dedicated team of health workers.
The issue of people moving from the Western Cape to the Eastern Cape has even created tensions between the ANC- and DA-led provincial governments.
‘We are calling on people to be responsible citizens’
Last week, Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane blamed the Western Cape government for the spike in cases. In return, Western Cape Transport Minister Bonginkosi Madikizela accused the Eastern Cape government of building a “Berlin Wall” which was harming effective cooperation.
Gomba said: “Because we cannot get to everyone who recently travelled from other provinces at the same time, we are calling on people to be responsible citizens and contact our 24-hour call centre on 08000 32364 so that they can be screened and tested if they have any of the symptoms consistent with Covid-19.”
She added: “We need everyone to play their part because people’s lives are at risk. If we all get infected by the coronavirus at the same time, our healthcare system will not cope and it will result in more deaths than could have been prevented,” said Gomba.
The MEC sent her condolences to the families, friends and loved ones of the 21 people who have died in the province due to Covid-19.
“We feel their pain as this affects all of us. May their souls rest in peace.”
She revealed that there has also been a confirmed case at a retail store in Port St Johns.
Teams were following up in this case, she said.
She also announced that 110 people who were under quarantine in Mpekweni and Fish River in Port Alfred had been given a clean bill of health.
She said her department’s main priority is to stop the spread of the virus and for them to successfully do that, people need to stay at home, practise good personal hygiene by washing their hands with soap and water or sanitiser regularly. She also urged the public to practise social distancing and wear masks when going out to buy essentials or get medical help.
WRAP | President Ramaphosa to visit the Western Cape next Friday, says Zweli Mkhize
Health Minister Zweli Mkhize says the Western Cape, which is the epicentre of the Covid-19 outbreak in SA, is suffering “cluster outbreaks”, those being – where people in the same area infect each other. This was seen to be happening in factories and shops in the province.
He said the lab reports showed that the Western Cape tests were coming back with almost 70% of them being positive. The province has more than half of the national tally of cases, and the highest number of deaths.
He said during a briefing from the province today that there may need to be different levels of lockdown applied to different areas depending on the severity of the outbreak.
Mkhize said that there was a challenge in getting testing kits, adding that this was a global problem.
Mkhize reiterated the importance of self-isolation, saying that even those who do not show symptoms should be admitted to hospitals for quarantine. He reminded the public that people can be forced into isolation.
He said that Cape Town, Johannesburg, Tshwane, Nelson Mandela Bay, Buffalo City and the Umgungundlovu district in KZN are among the Covid-19 hotspot metros.
Meanwhile, it was announced that 9 420 people have tested positive for Covid-19 as of today. Eight more people have died. Seven were from the Western Cape, including a nurse, and one from KwaZulu-Natal. The Western Cape remains the epicentre, with 4 809 cases.
He also the government has formed an occupational health committee to focus on health workers being adequately informed about Covid-19 and, more importantly, that health staff are provided with proper protective gear. He commended all front line workers, including health staff and the authorities.
Incoming Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White believes after the team’s poor showing in last year’s Currie Cup and this year’s Super Rugby tournament, change is inevitable.
White said that while the extent of the restructure hadn’t been decided yet, a lot would depend on the exodus via the clause in the current collective agreement about salary cuts, where players have until 14 May to take up a better offer if they get them.
For that reason, he can’t quantify just how big the changes at Loftus Versfeld will be, but there will be change.
“This team came seventh in the Currie Cup and won one out of six games this year. So it didn’t matter who would come in, there would have to be a shake-up and change of players,” he said.
The Bulls have already signed Duane Vermeulen and former Bok Marcel van der Merwe in the last few weeks and there will be more signings in the coming weeks as rugby waits to return to the field.
“We had three vacant spots, so therefore there was always negotiations about who we would bring into the squads. And that has a domino effect on the other guys in the squad. If you get another prop it has a domino effect on what you need. If you have two props there already and you bring in another one you are going to have to offload one.
“People need to be aware because there is a 45-man squad, and because you have to offload, and guys come off contract, there will always be a change in your squad, especially when a new coach comes in.
“I’d like to believe that I can bring one or two players that I rate back into the team as well.”
White said the current clause in the collective agreement gives players until 14 May to take up deals abroad. Johnny Kotze was the first player to exercise this clause, but the amount of players that can move is still uncertain. For that reason, he can’t confirm how big the clean out will be.
“It could be 25 changes, because it is fluid. Agents have come to me and said can I look for something else for that player. The important thing is that I don’t know the players and haven’t worked with them. I’ve never been to a training session. What I don’t want to do is say no, and then I get there and I don’t play the guy.
“I’m in a unique situation where I can be honest with a player and say if you find something let me know.”
White said he was holding thumbs that a number of the top players will stay.
“Another thing that people aren’t aware of, is that at this point in time I don’t have one player. Because if every player decides to go overseas after the 14-day window, he is allowed to. There is no guarantee that I’m going to have what I think I have in two weeks’ time.
“I haven’t had any indication, but I don’t think guys will tell you either. The whole world knows that South Africa has 14 days to get out of their deals.
“Let’s just say I lose four players, surely it has a massive effect on how I restructure again. Let’s say I lose Trevor (Nyakane) and lose Lizo (Gqoboka), then all of a sudden I lose props.
“The number is irrelevant, it is not about the number. It is about at this stage, agents have asked if they could look for something else. I’ve said yes. Obviously I don’t want my top players – the Springboks – to leave. The reality is for the rest of the guys it is a much over muchness.”
Health Minister Zweli Mkhize confirmed that South Africa has 9 420 coronavirus cases, with the Western Cape being the biggest contributor to these numbers.
He warned those living in cities across the country that they may have to brace themselves for stricter restrictions for longer, as all metros were currently coronavirus hotspots.
There would be no “once-size-fits-all” approach to these lockdown restrictions. Instead, every area would be assessed in terms of their specific risk profiles, Mkhize said.
Asked why the Western Cape had significantly more Covid-19 infections than the rest of the country, Mkhize said one of the features of the pandemic in the province was the outbreak in “clusters” of infections. These were primarily in factories and busy retail areas.
South African smokers have turned to some gnarly, cheap locally made smokes to get their nicotine fix in the six weeks since the government banned the sale of cigarettes.
These weird and wonderful new brands are put on the market by what are called “value brand manufacturers”. There are literally dozens of value brands out there for the unsuspecting South African smoker to choose from, including Caesar, F1s, Golden Flake, Ossum, Kingdom, Pacific Blue, Gold Mount, Sahawi, Navara, and JFK.
“Technically speaking, all cigarettes being sold during lockdown, regardless of brand, are considered ‘illegal’. This renders the illicit trade in cigarettes under lockdown as 100% of the market,” says Johann van Loggerenberg, the author of the searing exposé Tobacco Wars, about the illegal cigarette trade in South Africa.
Beyond being illegal, these economy brands tend to taste pretty awful too, or have other serious drawbacks.
Krugersdorp resident Cheryl Taylor Lubbe normally smokes Dunhill Fine Cuts, which cost her approximately R48 a box. After the lockdown, she managed to score a carton of Richman Blue for R180, which were “still acceptable and didn’t taste horrible”, although they “made my house seem blue with the smoke and the smell was terrible”.
When she went back to her supplier, she learnt that the smokes were going at R450 a carton at illegal selling points, the same price as her Dunhills. So she switched to another knock-off brand called Voyager and discovered “why it’s called ‘Voyager’ – because those smokes fly. I easily smoked forty cigarettes a day because I felt I wasn’t getting my nicotine fix”.
On top of that, the Voyagers “made my tongue feel and taste like I’ve been eating sour jelly babies”.
So she switched to yet another shady brand called Cape Navy Cut.
“The box and the cigarettes look like the candy cigarettes you could buy in the 80s and 90s”.
Welcome to the world of fly-by-night cigarette brands, under the table sales, and “severe headaches and sinusitis”.
The ban on cigarette and alcohol sales during the lockdown has created an underground market of rampant deals all over Pietermaritzburg.
And it’s not only dodgy characters indulging in the goods offered. Those supporting it are normally law-abiding citizens and many professional people. A Weekend Witness investigation, conducted this week, revealed a “dial-a-fix” network on social media with door-to-door cigarette and alcohol deliveries.
Sources say phone calls and SMSes to place orders for cigarettes and alcohol have been going on since the lockdown was announced and that the availability and accessibility has made it easy for people to buy and get their buzz.
Some tuck-shop and pub owners, and their connections, have formed WhatsApp groups advertising what they have in stock. The connection puts in an order for the third party and the pickup for the booze or tobacco is arranged.
While at least 19 000 inmates inside South Africa’s prisons will be eligible for special parole to curb the spread of coronavirus, those sentenced for a range of serious crimes will not make the cut.
This as President Cyril Ramaphosa authorised the release on parole of low-risk inmates to ease overcrowding and curb the spread of Covid-19 in prisons.
On Friday, Ramaphosa announced and gazetted the decision in terms of Section 84(2)(1) of the Constitution together with SectionB2(1)(a) of the Correctional Services Act 1998.
In Proclamation 19 of 2020 gazetted on 8 May, Ramaphosa outlined only select inmates would be eligible and only released after processes have been followed.
On May 8, 1980, the World Health Assembly officially declared smallpox eradicated.
The disease had “plagued humanity for at least 3 000 years, and killed 300 million people in the 20th century alone,” the World Health Organisation director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said during a media briefing exactly 40 years later, on May 8, 2020.
“Humanity’s victory over smallpox is a reminder of what’s possible when nations come together to fight a common health threat,” he said.
Getting there involved many of the tactics used today against the novel coronavirus, including case finding, contact tracing, and mass communication campaigns. But one “crucial tool” is still missing: a vaccine, which WHO, among many organisations and researchers, is working to develop.
Even when an effective coronavirus vaccine is available and widely accessible, the eradication of Covid-19 is likely a ways off, if it happens at all. Smallpox remains the only human disease to be eradicated globally, and it took 184 years between the development of the first-ever vaccine in 1796 to its eradication in 1980.
The American government agency, the Food and Drug Administration, has issued recommendations for pet owners during the coronavirus pandemic, encouraging social distancing practices for cats and dogs.
An FDA fact sheet from April 30 indicates that pets should not interact with people or other animals outside the immediate household. Cats should be kept indoors when possible, and dogs should be kept on a leash that can maintain at least six feet distance from other humans and animals.
The agency also recommended dog owners avoid dog parks or other public places “where a large number of people and dogs gather.”
While the USDA oversees livestock, the FDA is responsible for monitoring pet food and medications.
• Maintain physical distancing – stay at least one metre away from somebody who is coughing or sneezing
• Practise frequent hand-washing, especially after direct contact with ill people or their environment
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth, as your hands touch many surfaces and could potentially transfer the virus
• Practise respiratory hygiene – cover your mouth with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze. Remember to dispose the tissue immediately after use.
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Britain to introduce two-week quarantine for arrivals: reports
Britain plans to introduce a 14-day mandatory quarantine for most international arrivals, reports said Saturday, despite growing pressure on the government to relax virus lockdown measures.
It comes as the UK, which has the world’s second highest coronavirus death toll after the US, cautiously charts a way forward after imposing strict stay-at-home orders in late March.
Apart from those entering the country from neighbouring Ireland, all people coming into Britain by air, sea and rail will be required to self-isolate for a fortnight, The Times reported.
– AFP
06:27
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SATURDAY EDITION | Covid-19 closes the curtain on some of SA’s magazine titans
The media has not been able to escape the devastating destruction of the virus that has ravaged nearly every industry.
Within a matter of weeks titans have fallen.
In this Saturday Edition, W24 editor Nthabi Nhlapo speaks to six editors about the swift, severe, and soul-destroying demise of some of SA’s most iconic magazines.
ALSO:
– ‘I’m good, love, better than good’ – Nakhane talks to Simphiwe Dana about her latest release, Bamako
– What South Africans want now is vetkoek – according to Google
18:17
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Inmates to be released, taxi driver with Covid-19 charged with attempted murder, doctors take the HPCSA to court
Here are some stories from today you may have missed
About 19 000 “low risk” inmates are to be released to curb the spread of Covid-19 at prisons. This would apply to inmates who have already served their minimum sentence, or who would approach this period in the next five years. This move will alleviate overcrowding at prisons.
A Cape Town taxi driver who allegedly knew he contracted Covid-19 yet continued to ferry passengers has been charged with attempted murder. The 35-year-old taxi driver is accused in terms of new Disaster Management Act Regulation 14(3).
More than 100 South African doctors who studied overseas are in limbo because the HPCSA is allegedly preventing them from writing an exam that would allow them to practise in their home country. A group has now turned to the courts to get the HPCSA to allow them to take the exam.
Is it a wise idea to open schools? When will I be able to board a plane again? When will I stop having to work from home? Scientists at the forefront of SA’s Covid-19 fight answer some burning questions.
are to be released to curb the spread of Covid-19 at prisons. This would apply to inmates who have already served their minimum sentence, or who would approach this period in the next five years. This move will alleviate overcrowding at prisons.
A Cape Town taxi driver who allegedly knew he contracted Covid-19 yet continued to ferry passengers has been charged with attempted murder. The 35-year-old taxi driver is accused in terms of new Disaster Management Act Regulation 14(3).
More than 100 South African doctors who studied overseas are in limbo because the HPCSA is allegedly preventing them from writing an exam that would allow them to practise in their home country. A group has now turned to the courts to get the HPCSA to allow them to take the exam.
Is it a wise idea to open schools? When will I be able to board a plane again? When will I stop having to work from home? Scientists at the forefront of SA’s Covid-19 fight answer some burning questions.
“>
16:59
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International Covid-19 news:
US job losses ‘worst in history’
The US is home to the world’s largest and deadliest coronavirus outbreak, with more than 75 000 deaths and 1.2 million cases reported as of Thursday, according to Johns Hopkins University.
Russia’s cases increase by the thousands
Russia on Friday registered more than 10 000 new coronavirus cases for the sixth day in a row, after emerging as a new hotspot of the pandemic, AFP reports.
‘Critical shortage’ of test materials – UN
Shortages of materials needed in tests for the novel coronavirus remain “critical”, according to the head of a UN lab, which is supplying countries with Covid-19 detection kits.
15:08
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Justice and Correctional Services Minister Ronald Lamola said the decision to place on parole categories of sentenced offenders as a measure to combat the spread of Covid-19 in correctional facilities would be done on a case by case basis.
The minister, together with National Commissioner for Correctional Services Arthur Fraser were pressed on what types of crimes were committed by prisoners who would be eligible for parole, to which Fraser said: “They were all petty crime … we have carefully scrutinized the category’s as well as the individuals to ensure there are no violent criminals as part of this group of offenders”.
Petty crimes include shoplifting, theft and trespassing, explained Fraser.
Approximately 19 000 inmates across the country will benefit from this decision provided they meet requirements of the parole board.
“Once completed, this process is expected to reduce overcrowding by 12.15% should those considered for parole by the boards be granted parole.
“This reduction will be important from a clinical perspective as overcrowding affects the quality of oxygen circulation within cells and this contributes to the speedy spread of the virus thereof,” added Lamola.
India captain Virat Kohli believes cricket will be robbed of its “magical moments” if games are forced into empty stadiums when the sport emerges from its pandemic lockdown.
“It might happen. I honestly don’t know how everyone’s going to be able to take that, because we are used to playing in front of so many passionate people,” said the star batsman.
“It will be played at a very good intensity, but that feel of the crowd connecting with the players, everyone feeling that tension around the stadium, those emotions are difficult to recreate,” he told the Star Sports television channel on Friday.
The coronavirus pandemic has halted all major sports and cricket is suffering without its cash-rich Indian Premier League (IPL) which should now be reaching its final stages.
“We will play the sport how it’s supposed to be played but those magical moments would be very difficult to come by,” Kohli said.
Some European football leagues are already making plans to restart in empty stadiums. But the IPL has not announced its intentions and there are now major doubts on whether the Twenty20 World Cup will start in Australia in October.
The International Cricket Council has said it is “exploring all options” for the tournament.
Australia’s wicketkeeper-batsman Alex Carey, who was to play for the Delhi Capitals in the IPL, said it would be a “hollow feeling” if games are played in front of empty stands.
“Cricket as we’re used to is going to be different for a bit. There’s the T20 World Cup and the IPL that we’re all looking to play, but it’s hard to picture anything without the fans,” Carey said in an instagram session with Delhi’s official website.
“It’s going to be a hollow feeling, but I feel the fans will at least have some live cricket to look forward to on TV.”
While at least 19 000 inmates inside South Africa’s prisons will be eligible for special parole to curb the spread of coronavirus, those sentenced for a range of serious crimes will not make the cut.
This as President Cyril Ramaphosa authorised the release on parole of low-risk inmates to ease overcrowding and curb the spread of Covid-19 in prisons.
On Friday, Ramaphosa announced and gazetted the decision in terms of Section 84(2)(1) of the Constitution together with SectionB2(1)(a) of the Correctional Services Act 1998.
In Proclamation 19 of 2020 gazetted on 8 May, Ramaphosa outlined only select inmates would be eligible and only released after processes have been followed.
The criteria for those eligible is that they were or would have been incarcerated on 27 April and subject to conditions recommended by the Correctional Supervision and Parole Board under whose jurisdiction the sentenced offenders may fall in.
In the proclamation, Ramaphosa outlined low-risk offenders who would be considered and those who had or would have reached their minimum detention periods within a period of 60 months from 8 May.
They would also have been convicted for “petty crimes”, which were elaborated on by Justice Minister Ronald Lamola.
On Friday, correctional services department spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo said there were three new cases of the virus in SA’s prison network, bringing the number in the department to 177.
Nxumalo added three officials have tested negative, with recoveries now standing at 87.
Who is not eligible for special parole?
– Inmates serving life imprisonment for crimes related to gender-based violence and sexual offences; child abuse; murder, attempted sabotage and terrorism.
– Those declared dangerous in line with the Criminal Procedure Act, and those certified mentally ill and detained in line with the Mental Health Care Act.
– Offenders with further charges that have not received bail or could not pay it.
– Inmates who escaped prison or absconded and were still at large as of the date of pronouncement.
– Inmates who are out on bail pending appeals.
– Those who committed violations under the Domestic Violence Act.
– Those detained for armed robbery or robbery with aggravating circumstances.
– Any other crime linked the above mentioned crimes, for example, house breaking with intent to steal or rape.
– Any attempt, soliciting, inciting, or conspiracy to commit the above crimes.
In the proclamation, Ramaphosa said those qualifying for the special parole would, however, be subjected to their fingerprints and DNA samples being drawn and checked in line with police prerequisites permitting a release.
The placement process of those meeting the standards will start once the parole board processes have been concluded and release programmes attended by them.
‘Petty crimes, crimes of need’
Speaking at a briefing on Friday after Ramaphosa’s announcement, Lamola and Correctional Services Commissioner Arthur Fraser said only those sentenced for petty crimes would be eligible for the special parole and would form part of the 19 000 being released across the country, News24 reported.
Fraser described these as “crimes of need”, such as shoplifting, theft or trespassing.
Lamola said overcrowding in the country’s prisons posed a risk as the virus could spread rapidly in enclosed spaces like cells.
He added prisons were already 32.58% overcrowded as of 4 May.
ALSO READ | These are the ‘priority matters’ SA courts will hear during lockdown – Ronald Lamola
“Another exacerbating factor is that some of the inmates already have compromised immune systems as a result of chronic conditions.
“This makes them more vulnerable to Covid-19 and it can have a catastrophic affect on inmates, officials, communities around correctional centres, as well as the broader public,” Lamola said.
The DA has criticised the move, with MP Glynnis Breytenbach saying the decision might lead to a “greater humanitarian crisis” than the one the government was trying to avoid.
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