Covid-19 update: WHO denied entry into China, Bheki Cele warns SA

Covid-19 update: WHO denied entry into China, Bheki Cele warns SA

A WHO mission to China has been cut short, while Police Minister Bheki Cele issues a warning to Mzansi. Briefly.co.za explores the latest updates on the Covid-19 pandemic.

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A WHO mission to China relating to the virus has been met with difficulties after the team was denied entry into the country.

Meanwhile, Police Minister Bheki Cele has issued a warning to South Africans amid the lockdown.

Briefly.co.za explores the latest updates on the Covid-19 pandemic below:

Mainstream
The WHO was denied entry into China, while Cele had a grim warning for SA. Image: Laird Forbes/Gallo Images, Stefan Wermuth/Bloomberg
Source: Getty Images

1. WHO mission to China hits a snag

A World Health Organisation mission to China to determine the origins of the Covid-19 pandemic is seemingly over before it even began.

The expert team has been denied entry into the country, with WHO head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus signalling his immense disappointment with the situation:

"Today, we learned that Chinese officials have not yet finalised the necessary permissions for the team's arrivals in China."

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The mission is aimed at determining the origin of the virus including how it could transmit from animals to humans.

However, it seems that Beijing is determined to stall investigations, resisting pressure for an independent probe of the outbreak.

2. Cele's warning to SA

Police Minister Bheki Cele has given SA a clear warning: Comply with lockdown regulations or go to jail.

The politician is currently visiting towns along the west coast to ensure compliance with Covid-19 restrictions.

eNCA reports that community leaders have complained about a lack of visible policing, with many residents reportedly thwarting regulations.

3. Mkhize on latest statistics

Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize has once again updated South Africans on the Covid-19 pandemic.

In a statement released by the Department of Health on Tuesday evening, Mkhize confirmed that:

"Today we report a cumulative total of 1 127 759 COVID-19 cases identified, with 14 410 new cases since the last report, representing a 30% positivity rate."

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In addition to the increase in infections, the Minister noted the latest reported fatalities:

"Regrettably, a further 513 deaths have been reported: Eastern Cape 124, Free State 14, Gauteng 64, Kwa-Zulu Natal 92, Limpopo 3, Northern Cape 14 and Western Cape 202. This brings the total deaths to 30 524."

Earlier, Briefly.co.za reported that ANC councillor Sifiso Mngadi has earned himself some trouble after claiming that Covid-19 doesn't exist and that 5G cellphone towers are killing people.

Despite claiming that the virus doesn't exist, the eThekwini councillor claims white citizens have already been vaccinated:

“As leaders of eThekwini we need to take action against this disease. It is not Covid. We are getting this thing from 5G towers, [some] installed during this period in preparation of the second wave."

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Source: Briefly News

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