COVID-19 in SOUTH AFRICA

[Blake]

That seems implausible to me.

India has similar or worse overcrowding and it's not as if they have been left unscathed.

Something has to explain it though. Maybe we have or had a strain of common cold corona virus more common here than elsewhere in the world that most of us, but particularly those in townships, have been exposed to.

And it is maybe this and our youthful population that has resulted in this unexpected positive outcome.

Initially some suggested race might be a factor, but the bad outcomes among African Americans kind of debunked that. That being said, African Americans are also disproportionately afflicted to a number of critical comorbidities such as obesity, hypertension and diabetes due to poor diets, so that should also be factored in.

I for one can’t wait for this mystery and the asymptotic one to be uncovered as they hold the key to getting back to the way things were.

[OomStruisbaai]

IOL

.176 new Covid-19 deaths and 2 420 more infections; recovery rate increases to 88%
By Sihle Mlambo Time of article published 1h ago


Johannesburg - Health Minister Zweli Mkhize has announced 176 more Covid-19 related deaths and 2 336 new infections on Thursday night.

This takes South Africa’s Covid-19 death toll to 14 563, and infections to over 633 015.


South Africa has the sixth most Covid-19 infections in the world, behind only the USA, Brazil, India and Russia. Peru recently overtook South Africa to become the country with the fifth most infections in the world.

Although the number of new infections has slowed considerably, as has the rate of testing in the past week, daily deaths are also starting to slow, although they are still over 100 per day.

The Department of Health said it had now tested over 3.7 million people in the private and public sector, with over 20 000 tests conducted in the past 24 hours.


South Africa’s coronavirus death toll now stands at 14 563.

The Western Cape still has the most deaths, with 3946, Gauteng with 3730, Eastern Cape with 2956 and KZN, with 2203, have the most fatalities in the country.

Of the latest 176 deaths, Mkhize said the most deaths came from the Gauteng, KZN, Mpumalanga and the Eastern Cape.

Deaths by province:

Gauteng - 50

KZN - 39


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Mpumalanga - 27

Eastern Cape - 24

Western Cape - 17

North West - 9

Free State - 8

This brings the total number of Covid-19 related deaths to 14 389.

“We extend our condolences to the loved ones of the departed and thank the health care workers that treated the deceased patients.

“Our recoveries now stand at 554 887 which translates to a recovery rate of 88%,” he said.

The minister also said told Parliament on Wednesday, that the country had passed it’s Covid-19 storm.

Also this week, Wits University vaccinologist Professor Shabir Madhi said community transmissions were slowing and that the positivity rate had almost halved between level 5 and level 2, going from 27% to 15% currently.

Madhi said they expected further decreases in the next few weeks, but stressed it was not the time for Covid-19 complacency.

IOL

[assfly]

That seems implausible to me.

India has similar or worse overcrowding and it's not as if they have been left unscathed.

Something has to explain it though. Maybe we have or had a strain of common cold corona virus more common here than elsewhere in the world that most of us, but particularly those in townships, have been exposed to.

And it is maybe this and our youthful population that has resulted in this unexpected positive outcome.

It's not the perfect explanation but it must be a factor among others. Considering the awful articles I read from a few months ago predicting millions upon millions of deaths in Africa, there is something that has led to our immunity being much higher.

[Blake]

It's not the perfect explanation but it must be a factor among others. Considering the awful articles I read from a few months ago predicting millions upon millions of deaths in Africa, there is something that has led to our immunity being much higher.

A friend shared this article this morning which I found very interesting.

https://elemental.medium.com/a-supercom ... cb8eba9d63

If the Bradykinin hypothesis ends up being proven, it will drastically impact our understanding of the virus, how it works, and could also explain both asymptomatic cases and the perceived increased resistance of the African populations.

[Fangle]

On a much more simple level, a questionnaire was sent out by 23andme, a DNA testing company, a couple of months ago. According to the 800,000 responses the figures show that people with blood type O have between 10% and 18% lower chance of getting infected.

[Blake]

On a much more simple level, a questionnaire was sent out by 23andme, a DNA testing company, a couple of months ago. According to the 800,000 responses the figures show that people with blood type O have between 10% and 18% lower chance of getting infected.

Yes, I saw that as well. This is a super weird virus. I am finding it fascinating trying to follow also as best I can as the medical experts try to unravel things and make sense of it all.

Between the GCB vaccine hypothesis, the Vitamin D hypotheses and the blood type risk analysis I wonder how long before they finally understand it all.

I’m looking forward to the day where they can just draw some blood and based on the result tell you what your risk category is and have a vaccine readily available for those that need it.

[Sandstorm]

On a much more simple level, a questionnaire was sent out by 23andme, a DNA testing company, a couple of months ago. According to the 800,000 responses the figures show that people with blood type O have between 10% and 18% lower chance of getting infected.

Yes, I saw that as well. This is a super weird virus. I am finding it fascinating trying to follow also as best I can as the medical experts try to unravel things and make sense of it all.

Between the GCB vaccine hypothesis, the Vitamin D hypotheses and the blood type risk analysis I wonder how long before they finally understand it all.

I’m looking forward to the day where they can just draw some blood and based on the result tell you what your risk category is and have a vaccine readily available for those that need it.

1) Old
2) Overweight
3) Sharks fan

[OomStruisbaai]

IOL

. South Africa records 101 more Covid-19 related deaths and 1806 new infections
By Staff Reporter Time of article published 18h ago


Johannesburg - Over the past 24 hours, South Africa recorded 101 more Covid-19 related deaths and 1 806 new infections, Health Minister Zweli Mhkize announced on Saturday night.

This takes South Africa’s Covid-19 death toll to 14 779, and infections to over 636 884.


From the new deaths reported, 45 were from KwaZulu-Natal, 16 from Gauteng, 11 from the Eastern Cape, 19 from the Free State and 10 from Western Cape.

[Steve]

paralysis by analysis . don't worry about cases. Deaths and ICU numbers are all that matters

[OomStruisbaai]

paralysis by analysis . don't worry about cases. Deaths and ICU numbers are all that matters

Vokof nOOp

[OomStruisbaai]

IOL

.The Health Department, as of Sunday, reported that a cumulative total of 638 517 confirmed Covid-19 cases in South Africa had been recorded with 1 633 new cases identified.

The total number of tests conducted to date is 3 800 190 with 16 367 new tests conducted since the previous report.


The Department, in a statement released by Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize, regrettably reported 110 more Covid-19 related deaths: 31 from KwaZulu-Natal, 24 from Gauteng, seven from Eastern Cape, nine from Free State, one from Western Cape and 38 from Mpumalanga, bringing the total number of Covid-19 related deaths to 14 889.

The Department extended condolences to the loved ones of the departed and thanked the health care workers that treated the deceased patients.

Recoveries in the country now stand at 563 891 which translates to a recovery rate of 88 percent.


Mkhize said the Covid-19 pandemic surge was declining with fewer positive cases being reported. “As we speak now we can say as South Africa the surge is behind us,” Mkhize told the National Assembly, during questions to Ministers in the Social Services cluster.

He said the number of positive cases had dropped from 27 percent to 14 percent and this has allowed the government to open the economy and move to Level 2.

The Health Minister said despite some of the opposition parties attacking the government on the implementation of the lockdown, it was a necessary measure to deal with the spread of the virus.

IOL

[Blake]

paralysis by analysis . don't worry about cases. Deaths and ICU numbers are all that matters

This.

[Sandstorm]

paralysis by analysis . don't worry about cases. Deaths and ICU numbers are all that matters

This.

Not true. Number of new cases affects the Lockdown Levels and we all know how that screws up our Rugby!!

[OomStruisbaai]

Level 1 coming up
IOL

.Durban - As the country anticipates a possible downgrade of lockdown regulations in the next few days, the number of confirmed Covid-19 cases has increased to 642 431 with 1 990 new cases reported in the last 24 hours.

The Department of Health said on Wednesday that 82 more deaths have been reported, taking the country's Covid-19-related death tally to 15 168.


"Regrettably, we report 10 deaths from KwaZulu-Natal, 27 from Gauteng, five from the Eastern Cape, eight from the Free State, 10 from the North West and 22 from the Western Cape. Our recoveries now stand at 569 395 which translates to 88.7%. Since the last report, 21 736 new tests have been conducted between private and public labs," Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize said.


Picture: Dept of Health
Speculation is rife that SA will move to level 1 in the coming days.


IOL earlier reported that Mkhize hinted at the downgrade due to the country's Covid-19 infection rate which slowed down during level 2.

Speaking to Radio Islam, Mkhize said: “We will have to move to level one and get closer to normal activities. We hope we can still contain the numbers and the past two weeks have been very encouraging with no upsurge and we hope that if we go to the next level, the upsurge is going to be less,” said Mkhize.

He said that caution still needed to be exercised, particularly in terms of keeping measures with regard to major gatherings but there was a need to start opening up more economic activities to get the country’s severely battered economy back on its feet.

IOL

[OomStruisbaai]

Below 50 now

[OomStruisbaai]

IOL

.Durban - South Africa now has 649 793 Covid-19 cases with 1 579 new cases confirmed in the last 24 hours. However, the recovery rate remains steady with recoveries standing at 88.9% for the last few days.

On Sunday, the Health Ministry announced that 20 new deaths were reported, taking the country's total Covid-19 fatality count to 15 447.


According to Dr Zweli Mkhize, four deaths were reported from KwaZulu-Natal, six from Gauteng, four from the Eastern Cape and six from the Western Cape.

[Sards]

On a much more simple level, a questionnaire was sent out by 23andme, a DNA testing company, a couple of months ago. According to the 800,000 responses the figures show that people with blood type O have between 10% and 18% lower chance of getting infected.

Yes, I saw that as well. This is a super weird virus. I am finding it fascinating trying to follow also as best I can as the medical experts try to unravel things and make sense of it all.

Between the GCB vaccine hypothesis, the Vitamin D hypotheses and the blood type risk analysis I wonder how long before they finally understand it all.

I’m looking forward to the day where they can just draw some blood and based on the result tell you what your risk category is and have a vaccine readily available for those that need it.

1) Old
2) Overweight
3) Sharks fan

Please ...down 5 kgs whilst building my wifes shop....that's 2 weeks..

this Topie is looking great....

Our chickenrunner Sandyvagina has no excuse however.....

[bok_viking]

I see there are suggestions now that it was possible that 12 million to 20 million South Africans might have had the Covid virus, or else were exposed to a closely related flu. That seems to be the reports coming out as they are doing the antibody tests, etc. So a new study has started now to try and figure out how it is possible that so many people are showing antibodies in SA. So its another reason why our mortality rate stayed so low and we have quite a high recovery rate compared to other countries. So maybe we had a visit from COVID's African cousin in the reason past and did not even know it.

[OomStruisbaai]

Cyril speak 19h00

.Government is considering reopening the nation’s borders within coming weeks as the coronavirus crisis recedes, according to three people familiar with the matter.


The proposal was discussed at a meeting of the National Coronavirus Command Council on Tuesday and a final decision will be made at a special cabinet meeting on Wednesday, said the people, who asked not to be identified because no decision has been made yet. President Cyril Ramaphosa will address the nation at 7pm to discuss his administration’s response to the pandemic.

[OomStruisbaai]

IOL

.Cape Town – The cumulative number of detected Covid-19-related cases has risen to 653 444 after 1 923 new cases were identified, Health Minister Zweli Mkhize said on Wednesday.

This comes after two days in which the country recorded less than 1 000 new cases.


’’Regrettably, we report 64 more Covid-19-related deaths: 24 from KwaZulu-Natal, 14 from Gauteng, 9 from Western Cape, 6 from Northern Cape and 11 from Mpumalanga. This brings the total number of Covid-19-related deaths to 15 705,’’ Mkhize said in a statement.

'’Our recoveries now stand at 584 195, which translates to a recovery rate of 89.4%.

“The cumulative number of tests conducted to date is 3 961 179, with 20 962 new tests conducted since the last report.’’




Data supplied by the Department of Health

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The chairperson of the Covid-19 ministerial advisory committee, Professor Salim Abdool Karim, speaking during a webinar on Covid-19 and how the Western Cape became Africa's epicentre, commended the role played by the province.

Karim highlighted that the province shared with the nation what they did right and wrong in dealing with the pandemic.

“I think we saw that when you are trying to deal with adversity, those who are most successful are those who understand our fundamental interdependence.

’’Those who have chosen to go with me first, it's all about what I want... the individualism that emerges in those countries that have seen disastrous responses to the epidemic.

’’Nowhere is that more clear than in the US. We can never have a situation where we can believe that we can be safe, or I can be safe, when you are not safe.

“This virus is about how it spreads from you to me or me to you, you are safe because I'm safe. I am safe because you are safe. That interdependence is fundamental to our approach.

“If we are divided and we are quibbling among ourselves we are weak, and this virus knows how to exploit weakness the moment we are weak. It uses that as an opportunity to spread,” he said.

Karim has dismissed claims that Covid-19 cases in SA are declining because fewer tests are being done.

“When we look at the number of cases, we don't look at it in isolation, we also have to look at the Test and the proportion of positive tests,” he said.

“If we look at those two, both of them are going in the same direction, they are going down.”

He said the number of tests in the past three weeks had been fairly constant and this could also be attributed to the number of admissions going down.

Wits University said on Wednesday it has resumed vaccinating in the Oxford Covid-19 vaccine trial also under way in the UK, Brazil and the US.

The trial was recently paused after a British participant fell ill with a suspected adverse reaction, but was expected to recover, Stat News reported.

Wits University said the SA Health Products Regulatory Authority and local ethics committees this week approved resuming vaccinations in SA.

IOL

[OomStruisbaai]

Cape Town – On Monday, South Africans will awaken to a new level of freedom as the country moves to Alert Level 1 of the country's risk-adjusted strategy to manage the Covid-19 pandemic.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced a number of important changes to the rules on social and religious gatherings that have governed our lives since March.


Here's what you will be allowed to do under level 1 lockdown:

Gatherings

* Social, religious, political and other gatherings will be permitted, as long as the number of people does not exceed 50% of the normal capacity of a venue, up to a maximum of 250 people for indoor gatherings and 500 people for outdoor gatherings.


Health protocols, such as washing or sanitising of hands, social distancing and mask-wearing, will need to be strictly observed.


Funerals

* The maximum number of people who may attend a funeral is increased from 50 to 100 due to the higher risk of viral transmission at funerals. Night vigils are still not permitted.

Gyms and entertainment

* Venues for exercise, recreation and entertainment – such as gyms and theatres – which were limited to no more than 50 people, will now be allowed to accommodate up to 50% of their venue’s capacity as determined by available floor space, subject to social distancing and other health protocols.

Travel

* International travel is permitted but travellers will only be able to use one of the land border posts that have remained operational during the lockdown or one of the three main airports: King Shaka, OR Tambo and Cape Town International Airport. Travel may be restricted to and from certain countries that have high infection rates.


Alcohol

* The sale of alcohol at retail outlets for home consumption is now permitted from Monday to Friday, from 09h00 to 17h00.

* Alcohol will be permitted for on-site consumption in licensed establishments only and with strict adherence to the curfew.


RESTRICTIONS

Sporting events

* Existing restrictions on sporting events remain in place.

Retail outlets

* Stores are only allowed 50% of the total number of shoppers its floor space allows.

Curfew

* The curfew will now apply between midnight and 4 am.

Masks

* You are still not permitted in public without a cloth mask which covers the nose and mouth. The previously gazetted regulations which make it a criminal offence to not wear a mask remain in place.

IOL

[Chilli]

So is sport open or not?
Will the matches go ahead?

[Big Nipper]

So is sport open or not?
Will the matches go ahead?

Sport is open - just no spectators I think

[assfly]

So is sport open or not?
Will the matches go ahead?

Sport is open - just no spectators I think

So business as usual for the Lions.

[Big Nipper]

So is sport open or not?
Will the matches go ahead?

Sport is open - just no spectators I think

So business as usual for the Lions.

I didn't want to go there, but yes

[OomStruisbaai]

So is sport open or not?
Will the matches go ahead?

Sport is open - just no spectators I think

So business as usual for the Lions.

Yep all the teams except Newland.

[OomStruisbaai]

.DURBAN - South African rugby will reignite in novel fashion when a “Superfan Saturday" double-header on September 26 is followed a week later by an old-style “school yard pick” match featuring 60 of the country’s best players.

For the latter match at Newlands on October 3, Springbok assistant coaches Mzwandile Stick and Deon Davids will coach Springbok Green versus Gold teams, with Rassie Erasmus (Director of Rugby) and Jacques Nienaber (Springbok coach) acting as the two Team Commissioners.


The selection process will take the form of a draft pick from an enlarged squad of 60 players with Green and Gold team bosses taking alternate turns to pick their match-day squads of 25 players each.

The selection drama will unfold live on SuperSport, with the enlarged squad set to be announced live on Saturday before the crucial draft pick next week.

“This will not only be an opportunity to see the best available in South Africa square off against each other in something never seen before, but it will also provide the players with another valuable opportunity to shake of the rust and get the legs and lungs going after not playing any rugby in the last six months,” said Erasmus.


“The players will be encouraged to showcase their skills – individually and in their teams – and while it will be full-on, we’re expecting to see a highly competitive match between two sets of quality players.


Springbok assistant coach Mzwandile Stick. Photo: Gavin Barker/BackpagePix.
To kick things off though, the rugby season will resume a week on Saturday at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria when the Bulls take on the Sharks and the Lions battle the Stormers on “Super Fan Saturday.”

These matches will be followed by the Springbok Showdown at Newlands, after which a double round local competition – between seven franchises — kicks off on the weekend of 10 October.

In what is another first for South African rugby, the local competition will continue over Christmas and New Year and will culminate in semi-finals (16 January) and a final on 23 January next year.


Springbok assistant coach Deon Davids. Photo: Frikkie Kapp/BackpagePix
“This is a very exciting plan for the next few months, considering all the challenges we’ve faced this year due to the Covid-19 pandemi,c and it will be great to see our best local rugby heroes battle it out from October to January,” said Jurie Roux, CEO of SA Rugby.

“Unfortunately, spectators won’t be allowed inside the stadiums as we are still working with certain Covid-19 regulations.

Wonder which provinces are South.

[handyman]

Sport is open - just no spectators I think

So business as usual for the Lions.

Yep all the teams except Newland.

It goes without saying that the best team with the best stadium also has the best fans.

[Big Nipper]

So business as usual for the Lions.

Yep all the teams except Newland.

It goes without saying that the best team with the best stadium also has the best fans.

Newlands, the best stadium in the country????

This gif reminds me of Newlands

[assfly]

Newlands, the best stadium in the country????

This gif reminds me of Newlands

Looks like Kanye West's toilet has more trophies than the WP cabinet. But at least they both smell the same.

[Big Nipper]

Newlands, the best stadium in the country????

This gif reminds me of Newlands

Looks like Kanye West's toilet has more trophies than the WP cabinet. But at least they both smell the same.

[handyman]

Yep all the teams except Newland.

It goes without saying that the best team with the best stadium also has the best fans.

Newlands, the best stadium in the country????

This gif reminds me of Newlands

Depends how you look at it. Newlands is the oldest rugby stadium in South Africa and the 2nd oldest in the world. The history and tradition is something only true rugby fans will savour.

Then, we also have Cape Town stadium. It has hosted Federer vs Nadal, a 2010 FIFA World Cup semi final, our sevens tournament from 2015 and a lot of superstar performers.

The rest of SA have nothing on us.

[Yeeb]

As a rugby fan who has been to internationals and club / province games in every top nation bar NZ which I’ve not visited yet, I can comfortably say Newlands was the worst stadium I’ve ever visited: cramped, shit concessions , limited toilets, average view, bugger all around the stadium of interest - just shit really. Am deliberately just rating the venue and not the teams or fans or weather.

Subacio perth is probably the next worst but at least that’s a cricket venue so has an excuse for the viewpoint things.

Personal faves of mine are kings park Durban and Suncorp Brisbane.

[average joe]

Cape Town Stadium belongs to the tax payer not WP rugby. When nuweland gets demolished to pay WP Rugby's debt you'll have nothing and will have to rent Cape Town Stadium from us the tax payers.

[assfly]

As a rugby fan who has been to internationals and club / province games in every top nation bar NZ which I’ve not visited yet, I can comfortably say Newlands was the worst stadium I’ve ever visited: cramped, shit concessions , limited toilets, average view, bugger all around the stadium of interest - just shit really. Am deliberately just rating the venue and not the teams or fans or weather.

Subacio perth is probably the next worst but at least that’s a cricket venue so has an excuse for the viewpoint things.

Personal faves of mine are kings park Durban and Suncorp Brisbane.

To be honest, I didn't mind Newlands the few times I visited it. Yes, Green Point is much more modern but it lacks the old fashioned charm that comes with older stadiums.

Kings Park is a magnificent stadium, especially on the upper tiers. Coupled with the surrounding amenities and neighbourhood, it's a great day out.

I've done Twickenham many times and quite enjoyed that too. I also did the old Landsdowne Road which was very special.

[Blake]

As a rugby fan who has been to internationals and club / province games in every top nation bar NZ which I’ve not visited yet, I can comfortably say Newlands was the worst stadium I’ve ever visited: cramped, shit concessions , limited toilets, average view, bugger all around the stadium of interest - just shit really.

I concur. History and tradition are overrated.

When I shell out money to watch a match, I want a couple of things:
- Great viewing angles
- Convenient access (parking, busses or trains)
- Decent amenities
- Pre- and Post-match entertainment around the stadium

Newlands has none of those; it's a relic of a bygone era, and emblematic of why WP Rugby is what it is.
Just as some fans can't look past the stadium and accept that there are more modern and better alternatives, the administrators are also looking backwards at years of backroom deals and wrangling for power, running the union into the ground, instead of running the show like a modern business.

[Blake]

Cape Town Stadium belongs to the tax payer not WP rugby. When nuweland gets demolished to pay WP Rugby's debt you'll have nothing and will have to rent Cape Town Stadium from us the tax payers.

It's not ideal, but I'm actually okay with that.

WP should have taken the offer a couple of years ago to buy Cape Town Stadium for cents on the Rand, but I don't think they had the cash.

The new plan of selling Newlands for a stake in profits of the housing developments that out go up on the land makes a lot of sense to me. As long as that income is used wisely to pay for renting CTS for WP matches, it's actually a nice model as they are not required to pay for maintaining the stadium.

[handyman]

Cape Town Stadium belongs to the tax payer not WP rugby. When nuweland gets demolished to pay WP Rugby's debt you'll have nothing and will have to rent Cape Town Stadium from us the tax payers.

With the amount of kak you post, I'll wait for the accountants and auditor's report before I believe this wolhaarstorie. Ons almal weet boere ken van lieg.

[Chilli]

Newlands, the best stadium in the country????

This gif reminds me of Newlands

Looks like Kanye West's toilet has more trophies than the WP cabinet. But at least they both smell the same.

Well played Sir!

[average joe]

It's very sad when an old building like Nuweland with it's history and heritage goes on the chopping block but WP Rugby has no one to blame but themselves. They striped mined the oldest union in SA to its bare bones with their maladministration and corruption. If they forgot about their greed a bit and spend some funds on the upgrade and maintenance that Nuweland so desperately needed they would have had a great stadium but no, hulle het besluit om WP Rugby deur hul hol te trek.