Concerns have been raised that a national ‘state of emergency’ is on the cards following a high level meeting on Saturday between Treasury, the SA Reserve Bank and the SA Revenue Service on measures to shore up the economy, to protect small businesses and ordinary South Africans amidst predictions that there could be a huge spike in Covid-19 infections. the South African National Defence Force could be deployed to patrol the streets as restrictions are tightened to help stop the virus from spreading.

Sources told the City Press that all leave has been cancelled, and SANDF members have been told to return to their units to start preparing for short term deployment, after the defence force was placed on standby.

The Sunday Times, however, said that senior military officials have told the publication that SANDF does not have sufficient personnel or equipment if a lockdown is implemented.

This was disputed by SANDF spokesperson Siphiwe Dlamini who told the publication that the SANDF was waiting for the multi-disciplinary team leading government’s response to say if there is a need for the defence force to enter. could result in anywhere between 87 900 and 351 000 deaths in South Africa and cause the health system to be overwhelmed.

News24 has seen the epidemiological projections prepared for the Department of Health and government that catapulted severe state action. These projections formed the basis of Ramaphosa’s and Cabinet’s plans to combat the coronavirus. It is understood that the model is a dynamic one, and is continuously being updated, adapted and rebuilt as new data becomes available.

– Compiled by Vanessa Banton.

An outpatient nurse at Butterworth Hospital in the Eastern Cape has been arrested after he was allegedly caught stealing four boxes full of face masks.

The suspect was allegedly caught in the act and tried to flee the scene, but security personnel apprehended him after he jumped the fence.

Eastern Cape health department spokesperson Sizwe Kupelo said the department condemns acts of criminality.

“The department welcomes the arrest and would like to call on the criminal justice system to make an example of the nurse by sentencing him to a hefty prison sentence that would serve as a deterrent to other would-be thieves targeting clinics and hospitals,” Kupelo said.Police have opened a criminal investigation following the arrest and the health department was expected to launch internal disciplinary processes against the nurse.

“Stealing is already a crime but the fact that Covid-19 has been declared as a global pandemic means the nurse should face the full might of the law,” Kupelo said in a statement.

The department added that it remained committed to working with law enforcement officials and to implementing its human resources policy to rid healthcare institutions of officials disguised as health professionals.

“We would like to reiterate that our health professionals are ready to deal with the outbreak. The theft of the face masks and hand sanitisers place doctors, nurses and patients at greater risk of contracting the coronavirus,” the statement read.Members of the public have been urged to work with government to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus. Kupelo also called on the public to continue with preventative measures, like practising personal hygiene by washing their hands using soap or hand sanitiser and social distance.

Kupelo added that people should not panic.o stay abreast of News24’s rolling coverage on the Covid-19 outbreak, follow this link to our dedicated coronavirus site.

Stay up to date and stay healthy

South Africa now has 274 confirmed cases of Covid-19, the health department said in a statement issued on Sunday night.

This means there has been an increase of 34 from Saturday’s announcement.

Gauteng is now standing on 132 cases, followed by the Western Cape with 88, KZN with 36, Free State with 9, Mpumalanga with 6, Eastern Cape with 2 and Limpopo with 1 case.The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) noted that of the 274 cases, 208 (76%) have a history of travel from an area where Covid-19 is circulating.

The majority of those without international travel history have had recent contact with persons who have travelled internationally.

Stay up to date with the latest news, views and analysis as the number of coronavirus cases in SA increases.

Stay abreast of News24’s rolling coverage on the Covid-19 outbreak on A French doctor caring for coronavirus patients has died of the illness, authorities said Sunday, the first such death in the country that is grappling with the mushrooming outbreak.

The 67-year-old emergency room medic worked at Compiegne hospital, north of Paris, the town’s mayor told AFP.

Mayor Philippe Marini said that he was “someone who came back to work voluntarily to treat people and knew he was taking a risk.”

The doctor was named as Madagascar-born Jean-Jacques Razafindranazy by France 3 television, who said his wife, a family doctor, was also sick with the virus and has been quarantined at home.

His son posted an emotional message on Facebook, describing Razafindranazy as “my father the hero”, according to France 3.

“He was passionate about his work and chose not to retire. He has a left a family behind him who will never forget him,” he added.

The son thanked those who cared for his father in his final days in hospital in the northern city of Lille, and warned that “this illness is extremely serious and must not be taken lightly”.

While coronavirus affected all nations in the world, state elders were also affected by this virus. According to the latest information, German Chancellor Angela Merkel quarantined herself for contacting a doctor whose positive coronavirus test was positive.The epidemic continues to affect the whole world. According to the latest information, German Chancellor Angela Merkel was quarantined after it was found out that she was contacting a doctor who was positive for the coronavirus test.Angella MERKEL? Merkel’s father-grandfather Ludwig Kasner was of Polish origin and was a German citizen of Polish origin in Posen (now Poznan). Kazmierczak, the family’s original surname, changed to German in Kas30 in 1930. He learned to speak fluent Russian at school and received awards in his proficiency in mathematics. Source: German Chancellor Angela Merkel in quarantine due to Angela Merkel studied at Templin and studied physics at the University of Leipzig from 1973 to 1978. He studied at the Berlin-Adlershof Academy of Sciences Physics Chemistry Center Institute between 1978 and 1990. After gaining a doctor (Dr. rer. Nat.) For a thesis on quantum chemistry, he worked as a researcher and published many articles. Source: German Chancellor Angela Merkel in quarantine duecornavirus to cornavirus

The Gauteng Department of Health is cancelling all elective surgeries as part of its strict measures to deal with the spread of Covid-19.

This followed the declaration of a national state of disaster by President Cyril Ramaphosa on Sunday, 15 March.

On Saturday, it was announced that there were 240 positive cases of Covid-19 across the country.Other measures the department had put in place were the following:

– All annual health events were cancelled.

– The outpatient department (OPD) would reduce the number of patient visits by using an appointment system.

– A separate area for patients with flu-like symptoms to be identified at facilities.

– Thuthuzela Health Care Centre services to be extended beyond providing forensic services.

– Increase the number of chronic patients linked to centralised chronic medical dispensing and distribution, and patients to be provided with a three-month supply of medication, and a repeat script for six months.

– Patients will be encouraged to use Pele boxes for collecting medication.

The Merc employee has been in self-isolation since returning from Germany
Image: KATERYNA KOM/123RF
Mercedes-Benz South Africa (MBSA) will continue operations at its East London plant despite one of its employees testing positive for the coronavirus.In a statement on Saturday night MBSA said: “We can confirm that the reported case is an employee of the company who had been in self-isolation since returning from Germany.

“We would like to put your mind at ease: this employee did not return to the manufacturing operations and has not been in contact with other employees of the company since returning from Germany.”reported cases of transmissions of Covid-19 on its site and there was no need to suspend operations.

“Since the onset of Covid-19 internationally, MBSA has been vigilant in taking the necessary travel restrictions, medical support, hygiene precautions and other measures to ensure a safe environment for the health of our employees.”

MBSA said employees, suppliers and other key stakeholders of the company could be assured that measures were in place to detect, manage and contain any cases of the virus should it come to its manufacturing operations.

“Our operations at the manufacturing plant continue as usual.

“We are closely monitoring the dynamics of the situation, and will adjust working arrangements if necessary in collaboration with health authorities.”

MBSA asked that the public and community of East London to respect the privacy of the patient.