For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Sane Dhlamini.

Making headlines: Public service union wants Ramaphosa to close schools as Covid-19 infections soar, Gauteng health MEC says ban on alcohol sales will bring relief and, WHO warns that coronavirus crisis may get worse

 

Public service union wants Ramaphosa to close schools as Covid-19 infections soar

The Public Servants Association, which represents thousands of teachers and administrative staff in schools across South Africa, has reiterated its call for President Cyril Ramaphosa to order that learning institutions close in light of surging new coronavirus infections.

The country has to date recorded 287 796 confirmed cases of the coronavirus since March, out of which 4 172 people have died while 138 241 have recovered, translating to a recovery rate of 48%.

The PSA warns that should schools remain open and all grades return to class, some 18-million leaners would move around daily to attend school, resulting in family members being more exposed to the virus.

 

Gauteng health MEC says ban on alcohol sales will bring relief

Gauteng Health MEC Dr Bandile Masuku says the provincial government welcomes the decision of the National Coronavirus Command Council to immediately suspend the sale of alcohol.

He said alcohol ban will bring a great relief on the trauma cases and it will play a role in reducing the numbers, as well as relieving the stress and the pressure at our facilities.

The decision was taken to avoid burdening clinics and hospitals with alcohol-related trauma cases that could have been avoided.

 

WHO warns that coronavirus crisis may get worse

The new coronavirus pandemic raging around the globe will worsen if countries fail to adhere to strict healthcare precautions, warned the World Health Organization.

WHO Director General Tedros Ghebreyesus said too many countries are headed in the wrong direction and said the virus remains public enemy number one.

He said if basics are not followed, the pandemic was going to get worse.

Global infections stand at 13-million, according to a Reuters tally, with more than half a million deaths.

 

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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