Sassa ready to roll out R350 grants to millions of unemployed during lockdown
By: illovuonline news team
11-05-2020
Image: supplied
Sassa ready to roll out R350 grants to millions of the unemployed.
The SA Social Security Agency (Sassa) in Gauteng is expected to start with applications for the R350 social relief distress grant for the unemployed on Monday.
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This is as the agency and the social development department announced their readiness for the implementation, which Sassa said had passed the final stage of development on Sunday.
“Sassa had to ensure that it puts all the required controls in place to ensure that the grant is only accessed by deserving and qualifying individuals. There was also a need to ensure that these issues are contained in a legal document in the form of a Government Gazette,” said spokesperson Paseka Letsatsi.
The grant forms part of the R500bn economic and social relief measures announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa to support the economy during the Covid-19 pandemic. Qualifying applicants were expected to receive R350 a month over the next six months, from May until October.
Citizens desperate to register for R350 grant flood centres
Labour centres across the country have experienced large numbers of visitors as desperate citizens try to collect the R350 a month social grant …
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The agency said the criteria for the applications would be gazetted on Sunday to allow millions of deserving applicants to access the grant.
Letsatsi said electronic applications including the use of WhatsApp would go live on Monday and the application process will be demonstrated by minister of social development Lindiwe Zulu.
“Sassa has been rightfully inundated with enquiries from the public about the process of application and the public must be thanked for its patience during these difficult times,” said Letsatsi.
The agency said applicants without smartphones would be able to access this new platform through a short message service (SMS) using the Unstructured Supplementary Data Service (USSD).
Furthermore, volunteers and community development workers will be deployed to assist those who have no access to technology with applications.
The agency said payment will be made through deposits made directly into an approved applicant’s bank account if they have one. Applicants without bank accounts will have to apply for their payment to be made through a money transfer.
While scores of people had approached several centres to get assistance, the agency said manual applications would not be permitted.
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Letsatsi said the huge need for the grant demanded that government act swiftly “in order to address immediate challenges facing the country and its people”.
The agency cautioned applicants against providing their banking details to anyone to avoid scams.
“Sassa will only request information once the application has been approved. All beneficiaries and applicants should never give their PIN number or the CVV number on the back of the banking card to anyone — not even Sassa.
“Once applications are approved, Sassa will request confirmation of bank accounts though a secure site — this will also be done electronically. Applicants have the right to request confirmation that a request is from Sassa in order to protect themselves,” said Letsatsi.
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News put South Africa first
Cops discover R1.7m in dagga to be taken by truck from KZN to Cape Town
By: illovuonline news team
11-05-2020
Image: supplied
Five suspects were arrested after they were caught loading 57 bags of dagga into a truck at business premises in Edison Road, Mkondeni, in Pietermaritzburg.
Five people were arrested after they were caught loading 57 bags of dagga into a truck at business premises in Mkondeni, Pietermaritzburg.
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Police officers and a security company who embarked on an intelligence driven operation, said the truck had been scheduled to travel to Cape Town on Saturday night.
Police said that information was received that the illegal operation was taking place at a business premises on Edison Road, and officers “kept surveillance on a truck that was used to transport the dagga”.
“Police observed five suspects loading dagga into the truck and pounced on the premises. All five suspects, aged between 21 and 45, were placed under arrest,” said police spokesperson, Brig Jay Naicker.
Naicker said a total of 57 bags of dagga, with each bag weighing between 30 to 40 kilograms, were seized. The street value of the dagga was estimated at R1.7m.
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A case for possession of dagga was opened at the Alexandra Road police station for further investigation.
KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lt-Gen Khombinkosi Jula said more arrests were imminent.
“This arrest proves that we are closing in on suspects who are dealing in drugs within our province. More arrests can be expected as operations are still ongoing,” said Jula.
The suspects were expected to appear at the Pietermaritzburg magistrate’s court on Monday.
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News put South Africa first
By: illovuonline news team
11-05-2020
Image: supplied
Actress Brenda Ngxoli joins Mzansi Magic show The Queen.
While fans of actress Brenda Ngxoli are still basking in the news of her best supporting actress win at the virtual Safta awards there’s more pleasant news about their favourite actress.
After making her triumphant comeback in a TV drama via iThemba last year, the vibrant Ngxoli marches on to Mzansi Magic series The Queen.She will portray NomaPrincess “Noma” Matshikiza, the wife of a construction tenderpreneur, who comes with ‘’huge baggage and a multimillion rand debt she owes Harriet”.
The two character’s friendship is an old one and their meeting once again is bound to bring much drama to the show.
Ngxoli comments: “This is my first telenovela. I’m excited and still pinching myself. The best way to put it is to say that the gods have chosen to favour me. I will put my gratitude into action by giving quality work. I got my first Safta from my role in Rockville where I worked with Ferguson Films, once again I’m back with them.I’ve always acknowledged the big role they have played in my career and how they have treated me.
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I’m turning 40 and I just want to live my best life and they have granted me that opportunity. I can’t thank them enough along with the channel Mzansi Magic. I’m also indebted to South African audiences that have never forgotten about me when I was not even on any production, their continued support is appreciated.”
She is not the only new addition to the cast of The Queen. Media personality Kuli Roberts will be joining the show as 41-year-old Mildred Sefatsa, described as “cougar out for the kill”.
On Ngxoli’s joining of the cast of The Queen, Shona and Connie Ferguson had this to say: “We worked with Brenda in Rockville so naturally we are very excited for her to come on board. She played ausi Mavis drunk friend and we had awesome chemistry. I can’t wait to see what she brings to this new role.
“Brenda is an amazing versatile actress, with a work ethic like no other. The Queen fans were never ready for what’s coming.”
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News put South Africa first
By: illovuonline news team
11-05-2020
Image: supplied
Workers cry foul as merchandiser cuts salaries.
Workers at a merchandising company are crying foul after their employer who services major supermarkets in the country cut their salary by 15%, citing financial losses due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The company, 360 On Point, sent letters to its hundreds of workers, alerting them that their salaries will be cut at the end of May. The move stunned the workers as they believe that their firm has not been negatively affected by the national lockdown because it services the major supermarket retailers, which remained open since the beginning of the national lockdown six weeks ago.
These major clients include is Shoprite, Checkers and Pick n Pay.
“There is absolutely no reason for our employer to cut our salaries. We have not stopped working in the entire lockdown. We have been working all the time. We service the biggest retailers in the country who have been allowed to trade during the lockdown.
I do not understand why our company can plead losses at this time,” one worker said.“Instead, they have made a lot of money during the lockdown. There is absolutely no need for them to cut our salaries at this stage.”
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How to cope with a cut in pay
If you’ve had to take a pay cut, you may be feeling hopeless, especially if you were living frugally before your wages or salary was slashed…
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The workers are responsible for a variety of brands, ordering stock and ensuring that is properly maintained on the shelves.Companies which have made significant losses due to the Covid-19 pandemic have started cutting salaries of their employees in order to stay afloat.
Pride Bareki, human resources manager at 360 On Point, said the company had suffered losses despite its work with the supermarkets continued under lockdown.
“Even though we service the retail industry we have many ranges and products that were deemed to be non-essential by the government. Items like make-up and cosmetics, alcohol, Skincare, insect repellents and many more.
These [goods] contribute close to 30% of our product portfolio and income and were blocked completely from being sold. Many of these ranges will only be made available once lockdown reaches levels 3,2 and or 1,” Bareki said.
Fast-food CEO and execs sacrifice pay to help workers
Hungry Lion CEO Adrian Basson is doing what he can to ensure workers are paid while off work, but his goodwill doesn’t stop there.
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“Over and above this, we also service outlets that were forced to close completely like Builders Warehouse , Fochini and Edcon stores. Furthermore we were prevented from servicing other outlets and stores due to their internal measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19 and as a result this has also impacted on our revenue stream.”
She added that the company has applied for income relief from government but was yet to get a response. Bareki said the salary deduction were implemented across all employees of the company starting with the CEO.
UIF spokesperson Makhosonke Buthelezi said 360 On Point can apply for government’s benefit because of income loss. “It will assist the employees to have CCMA looking at this case to determine if the company was justified in their actions,” Buthelezi said.
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Sefako Makgatho university develops App to fight Covid-19 on campus
By: illovuonline news team
11-05-2020
Image: supplied
Sefako Makgatho university develops App to fight Covid-19 on campus.
The Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University has developed an innovative App which will contribute to containing the Covid-19 virus and to monitor related symptoms among staff and students.
The university spokesperson Dr Eric Pule said the App will alleviate pressure on government and other health professionals to provide regular screenings for the university community as they go about their work and study on campus.
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“Our staff and students on campus will be able to daily self-check on their health status by answering a series of questions about symptoms known to be associated with coronavirus infection, including any possible recent exposures and testing. Based on the responses provided together with exposure history weighted higher than others, the App then provided a risk score with relevant recommendations and next steps,” Pyle said.
UJ designs prototype for low-cost ventilators
A team of engineers and healthcare specialists from the University of Johannesburg have created a prototype for a low-cost ventilator in their …
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He said the risks scores are colour coded and indicated either to contact a medical provider or to call the national department of health’s hotline number that appears on the risk report dashboard. Pule said the App was developed by Professor Ayo Yusuf at no cost to the university and will only be used as a screening tool.”
The App is available through the SNU website which is zero-rated by all major mobile network providers.
“The App will support the plans by the department of higher education training, science and technology to save the academic year of 2020, while also appropriately responding to the call to contain the Covid-19 pandemic. It will contribute and support the recommended 360 degree screening/ testing of students and staff returning to our campus,” Pule said.
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News put South Africa first
SA COVID-19 cases climb over 10,000 as death toll nears 200
By: illovuonline news team
11-05-2020
Image: supplied
The health ministry announced that there were now more than 10,000 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in SA.
More than 10,000 South Africans have tested positive for Covid-19, an increase of 595 in the past 24 hours.
There were also eight more deaths recorded from Saturday, taking the total to 194.
Health minister Dr Zweli Mkhize released the figures on Sunday night.
“As of today, the total number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in South Africa is 10,015. We note with concern that the Western Cape and Eastern Cape combined comprises 84% of the total new cases,” Mkhize said in a statement.
Four of the eight deaths were in Gauteng, three in the Western Cape, and one from the Eastern Cape, and 4 from Gauteng.
On Saturday, Mkhize said SA had recorded 525 new cases of Covid-19, with another eight deaths — bringing to 9,420 the total number of cases and to 186 the total number of people who have died from the disease.
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There were 4,173 recoveries as of Sunday.
Mkhize said that the new figures were based on 17,257 tests – a “record high for a 24-hour cycle of testing”. In total, 341,336 tests have been conducted.
The provincial breakdown of cases on Sunday was provided as:
Western Cape — 5,168;
Gauteng — 1,952;
KwaZulu-Natal — 1,353;
Eastern Cape — 1,218;
Free State — 135;
Mpumalanga — 61;
Limpopo — 54;
North West — 45; and
Northern Cape — 29.
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The provincial breakdown of deaths and recoveries was provided as:
Western Cape — 98 deaths, 1,607 recoveries;
KwaZulu-Natal — 43 deaths, 606 recoveries;
Gauteng — 22 deaths, 1,247 recoveries;
Eastern Cape — 22 deaths, 519 recoveries;
Free State — 6 deaths, 105 recoveries;
Limpopo — 3 deaths, 28 recoveries;
North West — 0 deaths, 23 recoveries
Mpumalanga — 0 deaths, 22 recoveries; and
Northern Cape — 0 deaths, 16 recoveries.
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We convey our condolence to the families and also appreciate the committed health workers who were treating these patients.”
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News put South Africa first
By: illovuonline news team
11-05-2020
Image: supplied
DURBAN – The demand for entry-level homes has seen a significant increase in the last year, and now more than ever, the momentum has started taking a huge leap as purchasers no longer have to pay Transfer Duty on homes under the R1 million mark.
In a 2019 BetterBond report, it was revealed that between Oct 2018 and September 2019, 44% of their total bonds granted were for between R500,000 and R1 Million. To unpack the future and growth of this market segment, Rainmaker Marketing tackled the topic of investing into an estate under R1 million in their first Property Webinar recently.
“Over the last two years, we have witnessed first-hand how exceptionally well entry-level estates have performed. There is no doubt that strategically positioned properties, geared within the right price-point and supported by a modern, and in many instances, green-inspired lifestyle, are in high demand. With each entry-level development opportunity we work on, like for instance Ballito Groves and Mason; we are seeing how it has proven to be a successful investment for both developers and end-users. We expect to see this market segment lead the property industry, especially through the economic challenges experienced during and post Covid-19,” explains Stefan Botha, Director of Rainmaker Marketing.
With the interest rate at its lowest, as well as bond lending flexibility and the introduction of Financed Linked Individual Subsidy Programme (Flisp) for properties under R1 million, it is pertinent for first-time home buyers to see this as an investment opportunity.
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“Typically, 70 percent of your purchasers are first-time home buyers that are coming in to live in these estates. These developments therefore cater to the aspirational part of purchasers. They are a steppingstone and first port of call before they go into their larger residential development. The market has gone to great lengths to teach people that their first property is something of an investment; they are going to have capital appreciation, they can start a family, and once they start growing as a family they can start looking to buy their second property. This allows first-time buyers to take some of the capital gains from their first property,” said Graham Kusano, Senior Development Asset Manager (IHS).
Highlighting the investment performance typical of entry level developments, between 2016 and 2019 the average year-on-year price inflation within the affordable market was 11 percent. With this segment comes new and innovative approaches to lifestyle offerings. The inner-city rejuvenation revolution seen through Jewel City for instance, is driven by urbanisation and the live-work-play concept, where modern needs of having everything conveniently close by are catered for.
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This property segment has so many opportunities to really get creative and set a new benchmark in modern living. One of the key influential lifestyle elements entry-level estates, like Mason and Ballito Groves, have incorporated is green and sustainable features. “Edge is a green building rating system – it stands for Excellence, Design Efficiency – and developers can opt to voluntarily use it in their projects as it is not a mandatory requirement, albeit a very beneficial one. It was developed by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), and the Green Building Council of South Africa (GBCSA) have partnered with the IFC to be the local independent certifier,” shares Georgina Smit, Head of Sector Development & Market Transformation, Green Building Council SA (GBCSA).
Furthermore, Edge-certified developments feature the likes of smart meters, low-flow faucets and fixtures, solar powered geysers, as well as energy saving light fittings and sensors. These green instalments help residents save at least 20 percent on their utility bills. Additionally, by investing within green-inspired properties, investors have the chance of potentially earning a 4 – 10 percent higher value in this type of property, than any other standard estate offerings.
With the likes of FNB reporting a current home loan approval rate of 91,2 percent in 2019, and OOBA revealing their loan-to-value ratio at their highest at 88.4 percent in October 2019; it is evident that this market is seeing huge benefits and one to consider whether you are a first-time buyer or a seasoned property investor.
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News put South Africa first
Let’s start bottling it nicely’: Malema says SA should market traditional medicine
By: illovuonline news team
11-05-2020
Image: supplied
The leader of the Red Berets has expanded about the science of traditional medicine, as well as its marketing, on his Twitter account.
This follows after the World Health Organisation (WHO) has advised Madagascar to do clinical testing for its alleged COVID-19 “cure herb” product.
“We are advising the government of Madagascar to take this product through a clinical trial and we are prepared to collaborate with them,” said WHO regional director Matshidiso Moeti.
Juju had the following to say about the scientific benefits of traditional medicine:
“Traditional medicine can be proven scientifically that it can heal. How do you prove them scientifically? Africans healed one another before the arrival of western medicine. They’ve made us scared about traditional medicine and I would like to challenge them
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‘Fancy packaging’, Panado and Magonatshote
“Let’s start bottling it nicely because the only thing that we buy from these people is their fancy packaging”.
The name of the herb to which Malema is referring, is known as Umhlonyana in isiZulu, Lengana in Sesotho, and Artemisia in English.
“We must start to put our medicine on shelves, if you need Panado, you must get Panado, but if you need Magonatshote, you must get Magonatshote. Let’s have options…we must not be told that the only thing that heals headache is Panado,” Malema insists.
According to Malema, Africans are scientists by nature.
“When a woman is pregnant, Africans don’t need a pregnancy test, Grannies can look at your face and tell if you’re pregnant. They also know how to deliver babies without having to use any clinical equipment.”
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East London court case postponed
On Friday 8 May, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said the case of Malema and his co-accused Adriaan Snyman will be postponed to 16 July.
The NPA said in a statement that the matter will be postponed due to Level 4 lockdown regulations which prohibit inter-provincial travelling except for essential services.
The two accused face five charges in relation to Malema’s alleged discharging of a rifle at Mdantsane in 2018 as the EFF was celebrating its fifth birthday anniversary.
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News put South Africa first
Adriaan Basson: Is the lockdown working or not, President Ramaphosa?
By: illovuonline news team
11-05-2020
Image: supplied
There is a restlessness in the soul of the nation that needs to be addressed. President Cyril Ramaphosa must tell us if we have flattened the curve or not, writes Adriaan Basson.
President Cyril Ramaphosa hasn’t spoken to us in 18 days. I can feel it, can you?
There is a restlessness in the soul of the nation that needs to be addressed.
Last week, when a fake message was doing the rounds that Ramaphosa would address the nation, my WhatsApp ping was in overdrive.
The last time the president addressed the nation on the Covid-19 disaster was during his famous “the sale of cigarettes will be permitted” speech on 23 April.
The disaster affects every aspect of our lives and we need to hear from the president regularly.
I don’t agree with those who argue that Ramaphosa’s legitimacy was fatally injured by his handling of the tobacco matter.
Yes, it could and should have been handled differently, but South Africans are forgiving people and a clear strategy on the way out of lockdown living will redeem his unfortunate faux pas.
When the president (hopefully) speaks to us this week, he needs to be brutally honest in his assessment of the success or not of our prolonged lockdown.
One of the smartest people to be following during this disaster is Professor Alex van den Heever, the public health and poverty guru at Wits.
In a scathing criticism of government’s post-lockdown actions published on News24, Van den Heever argues that essentially the lockdown hasn’t worked.
He argues compellingly that we haven’t reduced the reproduction rate of the coronavirus during lockdown (more people were spreading the virus during lockdown than before); that large provinces like Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, the Eastern Cape and the Free State are producing “implausibly low increases” because of poor screening, testing and tracing strategies, and that the government’s testing capacity is still way too low.
On Sunday, the health department reported 9 615 tests were done by the public sector, while Dr Kamy Chetty, CEO of the National Health Laboratory Services (NHLS), promised in March this number would be at 36 000 at the end of April.
Since we have no visibility of the projections and models the government uses to inform its policy choices, it was instructive to read what Dr Harry Moultrie, senior medical epidemiologist at the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), told illovuonline news last week in a rare interview.
Moultrie is a member of the ministerial advisory committee, chaired by Professor Salim Abdool Karim, that advises Health Minister Zweli Mkhize on our outbreak. There was “considerable uncertainty” over the spread of the virus and the success of our response.
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This must be a major concern for Ramaphosa as he needs the buy-in from 58 million South Africans to keep the lockdown going, with only a few people who have not felt the devastating consequences of an economic shutdown.
Projections from National Treasury is that between three and seven million people will lose their jobs as a result of the lockdown.
This is a big price to pay, but one which the majority of the country tacitly accepted to give the government enough time to prepare our health system for our surge of Covid-19 hospitalisations and deaths.
Ramaphosa must tell us how far we are with this project; how many ICU beds and ventilators we still need to import or manufacture to make provision for our surge/peak moment?
We cannot stay in lockdown for 18 months until a vaccine has been found, licensed and available in South Africa – even the doctors, like Mkhize and Karim agree.
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We need to get back to work in a responsible way that doesn’t cause an unmanageable surge in infections, particularly of people over 65 and those with additional illnesses.
We have seen the majority of South African Covid-19 deaths were people with underlying illnesses.
With very few hospital beds currently being occupied by Covid-19 patients, Ramaphosa will have to explain why the country shouldn’t be downgraded to Level 3 or even Level 2 in areas with very few infections.
It really doesn’t make sense to keep a town with no or few infections on Level 4.
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Finally, the president should announce immediate steps by the department of social development to prevent stampedes, long queues with no physical distancing and technical failures in the future payment of grants and distribution of food parcels.
Scenes from the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal of old women lining up for hours undermine the seriousness and legitimacy of government’s entire lockdown strategy.
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News put South Africa first
What is coronavirus, how did it start and how big could it get?
By: illovuonline news team
11-05-2020
Image: supplied
Where coronavirus come from and where could it strike next? The answers to all your questions.
The new coronavirus (Covid-19) has spread to nearly every country in the world since it first emerged in China at the beginning of the year. More than 4.1 million people are known to be infected and more than 282,000 deaths have been recorded – including 31,855 in the UK.
What is a coronavirus?
Coronaviruses are a family of viruses that cause disease in animals. Seven, including the new virus, have made the jump to humans, but most just cause cold-like symptoms.
Covid-19 is closely related to severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) which swept around the world in 2002 to 2003. That virus infected around 8,000 people and killed about 800 but it soon ran itself out, largely because most of those infected were seriously ill so it was easier to control.
Another coronavirus is Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), cases of which have been occurring sporadically since it first emerged in 2012 – there have been around 2,500 cases and nearly 900 deaths.
Covid-19 is different to these two other coronaviruses in that the spectrum of disease is broad, with around 80 per cent of cases leading to a mild infection. There may also be many people carrying the disease and displaying no symptoms, making it even harder to control.
So far, around 20 per cent of Covid-19 cases have been classed as “severe” and the current death rate varies between 0.7 per cent and 3.4 per cent depending on the location and, crucially, access to good hospital care.
Scientists in China believe that Covid-19 has mutated into two strains, one more aggressive than the other, which could make developing a vaccine more complicated.
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How did the outbreak start?
The source of the coronavirus is believed to be a “wet market” in Wuhan which sold both dead and live animals including fish and birds.
Such markets pose a heightened risk of viruses jumping from animals to humans because hygiene standards are difficult to maintain if live animals are being kept and butchered on site. Typically, they are also densely packed allowing disease to spread from species to species.
The animal source of Covid-19 has not yet been identified, but the original host is thought to be bats. Bats were not sold at the Wuhan market but may have infected live chickens or other animals sold there.
Bats are host to a wide range of zoonotic viruses including Ebola, HIV and rabies
How big could the pandemic get?
The disease has already taken hold in Europe, the United States and South-East Asia and is beginning to wreak havoc in Africa, Latin America and South America. The World Health Organisation is particularly concerned at the ability of the poorest countries in the world to control the disease. To find out more about what is likely to happen, click here.
What are the symptoms of coronavirus?
Initial symptoms include fever, dry cough, tiredness and a general feeling of being unwell. Other symptoms are emerging such as a lost of taste and smell and stomach problems.
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Is coronavirus in the UK?
A total of 219,183 people in the UK have tested positive for the virus.
An elderly person with underlying health issues became the first person in Britain to die having been diagnosed with the disease, Royal Berkshire NHS Trust confirmed on March 5. Since then, a total of 31,855 people have died.
Police have been handed unprecedented powers to force those at risk of coronavirus into quarantine amid fears that two GPs may have passed the virus on to patients.
Everyone in the UK must now stay at home, Boris Johnson has urged, as he implemented the biggest restriction of civil liberties “in peacetime”.
Is there a cure for coronavirus?
There is no specific treatment, although doctors are trialling existing drugs for viruses such as Ebola, malaria and HIV. Early results seem promising but, until full clinical trials have been concluded, doctors cannot be certain that the drugs are effective.
Work to develop a vaccine is accelerating but it is unlikely to be available until next year.
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How is coronavirus spread?
Like cold and flu bugs, the virus is spread via droplets when a person coughs or sneezes. The droplets land on surfaces and are picked up on the hands of others and spread further. People catch the virus when they touch their infected hands to their mouth, nose or eyes.
It follows that the single most important thing you can do to protect yourself is keep your hands clean by washing them frequently with soap and water or a hand sanitising gel.
Is coronavirus airborne?
There is some debate about whether the disease is airborne – there is no evidence for it yet, but that could change. Airborne viruses linger for a longer period of time than those spread by droplets and can also be spread in air conditioning and ventilation systems.
The current advice is that the disease can only be spread between close contacts – defined as spending more than 15 minutes within 2m of an infected person.
Who started the coronavirus?
Various crazy conspiracy theories have been circulating that the virus somehow escaped from a Chinese lab, either by accident or design. However, this is categorically untrue and scientists studying its genetic code have linked it to bats. It probably then jumped to another animal, which passed it on to humans.
The number of diseases crossing from animals to humans is growing, and teams of virus hunters are tracking them down.
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Should I cancel my travel plans?
On March 17, the Foreign Office advised British nationals to avoid all non-essential foreign travel for at least 30 days. On April 4, the FCO extended this guidance, stating: “We now advise against all non-essential global travel – indefinitely. Travellers could face severe disruption and be unable to return to the UK.”
In any case, several countries have established travel bans, preventing Britons and foreign nationals from entering. Donald Trump announced a ban on visitors to the US from Europe and the UK, while many other countries will not allow entry to British citizens.
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How serious is the disease?
According to data on the first 44,000 cases released by the Chinese authorities, 80 per cent of cases are mild.
In roughly 14 per cent of cases the virus causes severe disease, including pneumonia, and shortness of breath. In about five per cent of patients it is critical, leading to respiratory failure, septic shock and multiple organ failure.
According to the WHO, the death rate in Wuhan is two to four per cent, whereas in the rest of China it is around 0.7 per cent.
The death rate around the world varies greatly, and there are multiple reasons for this: experts believe it could be to do with the way deaths are counted, the age of the people affected and the state of the health service in each country.
How does this coronavirus compare to past respiratory epidemics?
The 1918 Spanish Influenza – or the H1N1 virus – remains the most devastating flu pandemic in modern history. The disease swept around the globe and is estimated to have caused between 50 and 100 million deaths.
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A cousin of the same virus was also behind the 2009 swine flu outbreak, thought to have killed as many as 575,400 people.
Other major influenza outbreaks include Asian flu in 1957, which led to roughly two million deaths, and Hong Kong flu, which killed one million people 11 years later.
Is there anything I should be doing to prevent myself getting it?
Yes – there are plenty of basic precautions you can take to protect yourself against catching respiratory viruses of this type – as well as following government adviceand staying at home.
Protect yourself and your family by learning more about Global Health Security.
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