As South Africans begin the first day of the national 21-day lockdown, the National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS) says it is stepping up its efforts to fight the spread of Coronavirus.
NHLS chief executive officer, Dr Kamy Chetty, said the organisation has adequate testing capacity and equipment to meet the demand.
“The NHLS is pursuing various sources of supplies to obtain polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based test kits and has a commitment from suppliers that South Africa will be a priority,” Chetty said.
Currently, the NHLS has six laboratories performing COVID-19 related tests. This number will increase to nine by April 2020.
In addition, the NHLS has 18 state-of-the-art Cobas 6,800 and 8,800 machines that will dramatically improve the volumes of tests that can be conducted.
Coronavirus test kit for GeneXpert
Chetty said the NHLS also has over 180 GeneXpert analysers, which will be available in all provinces for testing COVID-19 by April 2020.
The Coronavirus test kit for the GeneXpert analyser, was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) last week. The test kit can deliver a COVID-19 diagnosis in 45 minutes.
“The advantage, according to the supplier, is that tests can be processed in 45 minutes, and the smaller machines can be placed in mobile vehicles, which makes it ideal for community testing.
“It’s a pity that this new test kit was not available sooner, as it would have made a huge difference to how testing gets done. We are nevertheless pleased that it will be ready shortly,” Chetty said.
Laboratories conducting tests
The six laboratories that are currently conducting tests are the NHLS National Institute for Communicable Diseases and Charlotte Maxeke Academic Hospital, which are both located in Gauteng; Groote Schuur and Tygerberg Hospitals in the Western Cape; Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital in KwaZulu-Natal and Universitas Hospital in the Free State.
“Tshwane Academic Hospital in Gauteng, Port Elizabeth Provincial and Nelson Mandela Academic Hospitals, both in Eastern Cape, will start testing shortly,” Chetty said.
Mobile laboratories
Chetty said the NHLS has deployed six mobile laboratories to collect samples for testing.
The mobile laboratories that have been deployed as follows:
- One in the Western Cape;
- Two in the Free State;
- One in Kwazulu-Natal and
- Two in Gauteng.
Meanwhile, 20 more mobile vehicles have also been procured and will be deployed in April.
“With all the five sites functional, the NHLS has the capacity to process 5 000 samples in 24 hours. This number will increase to 15 000 in 24 hours in April. At the end of April, the NHLS will be able to process approximately 36 000 test in 24 hours,” Chetty said.
For information as to how Relocation Africa can help you with your Mobility, Immigration, Research, Remuneration, and Expat Tax needs, email info@relocationafrica.com, or call us on +27 21 763 4240.
Sources: [1], [2]. Image sources: Louis Reed [1], [2].
Nigerian Government: COVID Lock-down Announcement
The below information was provided to us courtesy of Advocaat Law Practice.
The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has placed the city of Lagos, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, and Ogun states on lock-down for an initial period of 14 days, with effect from 11pm on Monday, 30 March 2020.
The order will not be applicable to the following:
Though exempted, the above establishments/persons and their access will be restricted and monitored.
In addition to the movement restriction orders by the President and the provision or relief materials for persons whose livelihood will be affected by the restrictive measures, the government has also released an initial N15 billion intervention fund to support vulnerable members of society. Lastly, the President directed that a 3 month repayment moratorium be granted for all Federal Government-funded loans issued by the Bank of Industry, Bank of Agriculture, and the Nigeria Export Import Bank
For information as to how Relocation Africa can help you with your Mobility, Immigration, Research, Remuneration, and Expat Tax needs, email info@relocationafrica.com, or call us on +27 21 763 4240.
Sources: [1], [2]. Image sources: [1], [2].
Developer of 18-Storey Building in Bo-Kaap, Cape Town Pleased with SCA Ruling
The developer of a controversial 18-storey building in Bo-Kaap is pleased with the outcome of a Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) case.
This after the court dismissed the Bo-Kaap Ratepayers and Civic Association’s application against the Western Cape High Court’s decision to approve construction of a R1billion high-rise building in the area.
Vantage Properties Managing Director José Rodrigues said: “This ruling vindicated the due process we followed throughout the application. Furthermore, we do not believe there was ever a basis for this litigation.”
In a lengthy judgment delivered on Tuesday, the SCA said it had been unable to find any irregularities in the city council’s decision-making process.
Judge Mahomed Navsa said: “The court held that the City and the mayor had arrived at the decisions in a balanced fashion, that they did not act unreasonably or irrationally. The mayor and the City did not commit an error of law and they did not ultimately hold a rigid view that base zoning rights trumped all countervailing considerations.”
Rodrigues said his company had always considered the heritage of Bo-Kaap during the process and it was aware of the impact the development would have.
“We respect the heritage of the Bo-Kaap and strong sense of community, but are also aware that the noise generated around this development was not so much about the Bo-Kaap community’s antagonism, but rather that of immediate neighbours who are concerned their views will be impacted,” he said.
The development would comprise flats, retail and office space and 310 basement parking bays.
The association’s secretary, Jacky Poking, said: “We are in discussion with our legal team about the decision and what our options are.
“We are still processing the decision. We are concerned about the impact on our living heritage and the erosion of our way of life due to gentrification.”
Marian Nieuwoudt, Mayco member for spatial planning and environment, said: “The City notes the outcome. We are still studying the judgment and have no further comment.”
For information as to how Relocation Africa can help you with your Mobility, Immigration, Research, Remuneration, and Expat Tax needs, email info@relocationafrica.com, or call us on +27 21 763 4240.
Sources: [1], [2]. Image sources: Nigel Burgher [1], [2].
South Africa to Get New Coronavirus Test Kits Which Give Results in 45 Minutes
As South Africans begin the first day of the national 21-day lockdown, the National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS) says it is stepping up its efforts to fight the spread of Coronavirus.
NHLS chief executive officer, Dr Kamy Chetty, said the organisation has adequate testing capacity and equipment to meet the demand.
“The NHLS is pursuing various sources of supplies to obtain polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based test kits and has a commitment from suppliers that South Africa will be a priority,” Chetty said.
Currently, the NHLS has six laboratories performing COVID-19 related tests. This number will increase to nine by April 2020.
In addition, the NHLS has 18 state-of-the-art Cobas 6,800 and 8,800 machines that will dramatically improve the volumes of tests that can be conducted.
Coronavirus test kit for GeneXpert
Chetty said the NHLS also has over 180 GeneXpert analysers, which will be available in all provinces for testing COVID-19 by April 2020.
The Coronavirus test kit for the GeneXpert analyser, was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) last week. The test kit can deliver a COVID-19 diagnosis in 45 minutes.
“The advantage, according to the supplier, is that tests can be processed in 45 minutes, and the smaller machines can be placed in mobile vehicles, which makes it ideal for community testing.
“It’s a pity that this new test kit was not available sooner, as it would have made a huge difference to how testing gets done. We are nevertheless pleased that it will be ready shortly,” Chetty said.
Laboratories conducting tests
The six laboratories that are currently conducting tests are the NHLS National Institute for Communicable Diseases and Charlotte Maxeke Academic Hospital, which are both located in Gauteng; Groote Schuur and Tygerberg Hospitals in the Western Cape; Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital in KwaZulu-Natal and Universitas Hospital in the Free State.
“Tshwane Academic Hospital in Gauteng, Port Elizabeth Provincial and Nelson Mandela Academic Hospitals, both in Eastern Cape, will start testing shortly,” Chetty said.
Mobile laboratories
Chetty said the NHLS has deployed six mobile laboratories to collect samples for testing.
The mobile laboratories that have been deployed as follows:
Meanwhile, 20 more mobile vehicles have also been procured and will be deployed in April.
“With all the five sites functional, the NHLS has the capacity to process 5 000 samples in 24 hours. This number will increase to 15 000 in 24 hours in April. At the end of April, the NHLS will be able to process approximately 36 000 test in 24 hours,” Chetty said.
For information as to how Relocation Africa can help you with your Mobility, Immigration, Research, Remuneration, and Expat Tax needs, email info@relocationafrica.com, or call us on +27 21 763 4240.
Sources: [1], [2]. Image sources: Louis Reed [1], [2].
First COVID-19 Deaths in South Africa; Both Young
Please note this story was updated in the media to reflect the fact that the 28 year old woman who died did not pass away as a result of COVID-19, but rather had another respiratory-related condition.
Two women from the Western Cape – a 28-year-old who was admitted to hospital on Thursday and a 48-year-old who has been in ICU, are the first two confirmed deaths of the Covid-19 virus in South Africa.
This was confirmed by Western Cape Premier Alan Winde on Friday morning, following a brief statement earlier in the morning by Health Minister Zweli Mkhize, who also noted that the number of verified Covid-19 cases in the country “have tipped the 1 000-mark.”
Speaking to Moneyweb, Winde says it is very sad news for the province and South Africa. He adds that it highlights why citizens need to take the situation and the lockdown more seriously.
“The fact that these two women were relatively young – one being in her twenties and the other in her forties – should serve as a serious warning to South Africans that it is not only the elderly that are at risk. We all need to take responsibility and stay home during this lockdown,” he says.
“With these two deaths being confirmed on the first day of the lockdown in the country, it brings home the seriousness of what we are facing…. It highlights the importance of the lockdown, which I fully support.
“I call on all South Africans to take responsibility for yourselves and for every single citizen around during this time.”
In his statement, Mkhize said: “This morning, we wake South Africans up with sad news that we now have our first deaths resulting from Covid-19. These two deaths occurred in the Western Cape. One at a private hospital and the other at a public hospital.”
The minister added that government would share more details later today, however he noted that the number of cases had increased (from 927) on Thursday to more than 1 000 by Friday morning.
Meanwhile, Winde tells Moneyweb that besides the ages and the fact that the first two deaths in South Africa were women from the Western Cape, he could not currently share further details.
“Minister Mkhize will share more details later today, but the Western Cape already had more than 200 of the 927 confirmed cases in the country on Thursday. The numbers are bound to increase, that’s why we need to do all we can to slow down the spread of the virus through the lockdown and people staying home,” he says.
Gauteng remains the epicentre of the virus in South Africa, with 409 of the 927 confirmed Covid-19 cases on Thursday.
The Western Cape has the second highest number of cases at 229, while KwaZulu-Natal has the third highest with 134 cases. These numbers are expected to be updated later on Friday.
The number of confirmed Covid-19 cases globally has topped the half-a-million mark and US-based Johns Hopkins University now estimates that the US has more suspected and confirmed cases of Covid-19 than China and Italy. The US, China and Italy all have more than 80 000 cases, but Italy still has the highest death toll.
Globally the death toll has surpassed the 23 000-mark.
To track the spread of the virus, visit Microsoft’s map here.
For information as to how Relocation Africa can help you with your Mobility, Immigration, Research, Remuneration, and Expat Tax needs, email info@relocationafrica.com, or call us on +27 21 763 4240.
Sources: [1], [2]. Image sources: CDC [1], [2].