South African Covid-19 News and Discussions

[NeonNinja]

First coronavirus case reported at a prison in East London | News24

An official who works at a women's prison in East London has been admitted to hospital after testing positive for Covid-19, the Department of Correctional Services has said.

m.news24.com

 

[skimread]

First coronavirus case reported at a prison in East London | News24

An official who works at a women's prison in East London has been admitted to hospital after testing positive for Covid-19, the Department of Correctional Services has said.

m.news24.com

I wonder if SA will go the drastic route and release some prisoners with non-serious sentences to avoid the infection.

 

[Mirai]

If the borders were locked a month before the lockdown we wouldn't be in this situation. Also, SA was late in securing test kits which I suspect is the cause of such low test numbers.

Who did you want to secure test kits from? There was a scramble from all over the world for them including Europe.

 

[Mirai]

Low daily numbers = low testing. Today only 1225 tests reported. Every day the positive numbers seem to be roughly 3% of tests conducted. The biggest tragedy about this lock down is that it was supposed to keep people in place while they conduct as many tests as possible, then isolating those positive finds. Every day we keep on reading testing is being ramped up but they are not being processed timeously. The lock down has therefore been a complete waste of time as all positives are not being identified quickly enough.

We've tested more than Japan has tested. They have double the cases in double the population for longer, yet have tested fewer people. Brazil and Malaysia are also behind us. Meanwhile everyone's darling, Sweden, has signficantly fewer tests and more cases. People are comparing us to G7 nations or something. We're like 30th or 33rd ranked economy in the world.

 

[Paulsie]

I half-agree with you. The contact tracing strategy has been relatively effective, and put a cap on the exponential growth phase of the epidemic. This has bought us time before the next steps, but has not stopped the gradual spread.

Unfortunately the government seems to have completely misjudged the next steps, perhaps based on false promises or assumptions. The rollout of widespread testing has stalled, both because the instant antibody tests are not reliable, and the rapid test machines are not ready.

We are like a deer caught in the headlights. We look foolish for all the damage done to the economy, and we do not have the tools to contain the epidemic, without further extending the lockdown.

That is exactly why the government will have no other option but to extend. Especially after having mentioned a number of times recently that protecting lives is a priority and there will be no money spared.

 

[Toxic T]

Covid-19 | Reserve Bank asks banks to hold off on bonuses for senior execs https://www.fin24.com/Companies/Fin...hold-off-on-bonuses-for-senior-execs-20200406

 

[Mirai]

That is exactly why the government will have no other option but to extend. Especially after having mentioned a number of times recently that protecting lives is a priority and there will be no money spared.

Everyone is extending of those who have locked down. I think Japan will declare state of emergency while there is no way France, UK, Italy, Spain and others will relent on their lockdowns.

 

[boramk]

We've tested more than Japan has tested. They have double the cases in double the population for longer, yet have tested fewer people. Brazil and Malaysia are also behind us. Meanwhile everyone's darling, Sweden, has signficantly fewer tests and more cases. People are comparing us to G7 nations or something. We're like 30th or 33rd ranked economy in the world.

I did not expect this - very proud of South Africa.

 

[Grant]

I wonder if SA will go the drastic route and release some prisoners with non-serious sentences to avoid the infection.

by chance i was talking to someone senior from pollsmoor this afternoon.
they have zero known cases at the moment.
convicted prisoners will remain isolated in the "sentenced" section.

the remand section comprises those with bail (who cant afford to pay) & those denied bail.
the plan is to release those with bail.
those denied bail will remain,
this will free up a lot of space, the non-bail prisoners will be gathered up and placed in a single area.
all new incoming remand people will go to a different section.
**this is the plan, whether approved or not is another matter

their bigger problem seems to be the risk of staff brining in infection

 

[Mirai]

I did not expect this - very proud of South Africa.

Figures are there:

Coronavirus Update (Live): 138,099,447 Cases and 2,974,469 Deaths from COVID-19 Virus Pandemic - Worldometer

Live statistics and coronavirus news tracking the number of confirmed cases, recovered patients, tests, and death toll due to the COVID-19 coronavirus from Wuhan, China. Coronavirus counter with new cases, deaths, and number of tests per 1 Million population. Historical data and info. Daily...

www.worldometers.info

 

[ProfA]

I wonder if SA will go the drastic route and release some prisoners with non-serious sentences to avoid the infection.

The test is simple. Ask yourself if the idea is dumb and asinine. If yes, chances are your new dictators are salivating at it.

 

[sjm]

The test is simple. Ask yourself if the idea is dumb and asinine. If yes, chances are your new dictators are salivating at it.

Is this necessary?

It adds no value to the debate

 

[Gordon_R]

That is exactly why the government will have no other option but to extend. Especially after having mentioned a number of times recently that protecting lives is a priority and there will be no money spared.

I have stated elsewhere that only politicians and fools state that you can't place a value on a life.

The entire history of life and civilisation (including SA) would argue exactly the opposite (anyone remember Thabo Mbeki and HIV?)

 

[Lupus]

Here's the thing, if this virus was rampant through SA, even without testing wouldn't our hospitals start filling up like NYC, Lombardy area or Madrid, the easiest way to know that the virus is spreading is the number of cases in hospital grow and the deaths start to pile on right?
But the biggest issue is even the US is fudging death numbers by putting covid 19 for anyone dying in the hospitals.
But we'd still have fuller hospitals? As the more serious cases should start to show by now?

 

[ProfA]

Is this necessary?

It adds no value to the debate

It absolutely does. Our new dictators are making one asinine decision after the other. Go look at the thread about what we can and cannot buy.

So piss off because you are not the "value add" police.

 

[Geoff.D]

If the borders were locked a month before the lockdown we wouldn't be in this situation. Also, SA was late in securing test kits which I suspect is the cause of such low test numbers.

SA was waiting - waiting for directions - from the baas - and the baas had an agenda - cripple Africa - then the West called the baas. And then China was forced to issue instructions.

 

[Nemus]

What was the dude's name with the ear bud in his nose??? Apparently he was responsible previously for claiming to have discovered a body as well... i want to check if there is any truth to that.

 

[Geoff.D]

Low daily numbers = low testing. Today only 1225 tests reported. Every day the positive numbers seem to be roughly 3% of tests conducted. The biggest tragedy about this lock down is that it was supposed to keep people in place while they conduct as many tests as possible, then isolating those positive finds. Every day we keep on reading testing is being ramped up but they are not being processed timeously. The lock down has therefore been a complete waste of time as all positives are not being identified quickly enough.

The other way around. Low testing = low daily numbers

 

[Supervan II]

And here we go ...

As the number of Covid-19 cases continues to rise, the healthcare system in the Eastern Cape is struggling to keep up.

From protests over a lack of protective clothing to health MEC Sindiswa Gomba’s own concern over how to procure the much-needed equipment, the department of health is battling its way through.

Sauce

“The pandemic didn’t start in SA and as it came to the country we already had a supply problem, because when countries have supplies they don’t want to release them to other countries.

Say what? And who donated millions of masks to their bosom-buddies in China? And did it with much fanfare?

Idiots be idioting!

 

[krycor]

Here's the thing, if this virus was rampant through SA, even without testing wouldn't our hospitals start filling up like NYC, Lombardy area or Madrid, the easiest way to know that the virus is spreading is the number of cases in hospital grow and the deaths start to pile on right?
But the biggest issue is even the US is fudging death numbers by putting covid 19 for anyone dying in the hospitals.
But we'd still have fuller hospitals? As the more serious cases should start to show by now?

Pretty much.. the whole point of lockdown is not merely to limit spread but also to quickly assess the spread directly via testing & stats (random phase is also part of this) and cases coming in.

Now granted mild cases will go by unnoticed.. the 21 day period was chosen to let it run its course (+/-14 days).

BUT that assumed isolation was perfect. People will claim that we just have lesser cases(mild only) or unreported deaths.. on the latter.. as much as SA has problems, I don’t think that is one of them.

The milder hypothesis is statistically abnormal due to context.. yes we have a younger populous (relatively, this is why politics here is populous.. high unemployment, high youth % check history everywhere) but we also have high rates of hiv, tb & poor housing conditions .. all of which will result in more deaths.

So unless there is a sudden spike in the last week (deaths or infection report due to hospitalization) we will be in a semi contained state. This is where people disagree on how to open up things there after but yah..