There have been nearly 600,000 coronavirus cases since the virus was first detected in the country in March. Nearly 500,000 people have recovered.

The national COVID-19 death toll now stands at 12,423 while the total number of infections since March is now 596, 060. The recovery rate is at 82%.

Another 282 deaths push SA's fatalities over the 12,000 mark. On a positive note, the recovery rate has increased to 82%, with over 485,000 people having recovered so far.

The facts at the start of your working day.

On Monday, the health ministry reported that 2,541 new infections had been detected over the past 24-hour cycle. The new infections pushed the number of known cases in the country to almost 590,000 cases.

Its day 144 of the national lockdown, and South Africa is preparing to progress to level 2 of the coronavirus lockdown from midnight. Fenyane’s Tavern owner, Francinah Fenyanye, in Vosloorus says she is worried about who will buy from them because most customers have lost their jobs. #liquorban #alcoholban #lockdowLevel2

More than 3,000 new infections and 169 new COVID-19 related deaths were reported in South Africa in the last 24-hour cycle. The recovery rate is at 80%.

The latest COVID-19 developments at the start of your working day.

The facts - at the start and end of your working day. #Coronavirus #COVID19 #lockdown #Covid19situationdesk #GiaNicolaides

The number of recoveries currently stands at 297 967 which translates to a recovery rate of 63%.

The facts - at the start and end of your working day. #Coronavirus #COVID-19 #level3lockdown #Covid19situationdesk

The facts - at the start and end of your working day. #Coronavirus #COVID-19 #level3lockdown

The facts - at the start and end of your working day. #Coronavirus #COVID-19 #level3lockdown

Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga gave an update on Monday regarding the opening of schools. On Sunday, the department made an about-turn by announcing grade sevens and matriculants would not be returning to school on 1 June, and would now go back on 8 June.

On 26 March 2020, South Africa entered a nationwide lockdown. President Cyril Ramaphosa declared a state of national disaster, introducing several regulations to help curb the spread of COVID-19, including the closure of schools, businesses and travel bans on passengers from high-risk countries. Eyewitness News spoke to some foreign nationals who said they were suffering while the lockdown continues.

Befriend a Grandparent or Rent a Grandparent is a creative way to treat senior loneliness. A lot of focus is being given - and rightly so - to protecting the elderly from COVID-19. Home care agency, Care Champ, is a big advocate for the importance of socialising for seniors. Anyone with access to a phone or computer - and, ideally, an internet connection - can sign up to be a friend or grandparent.

Government has set aside R2 billion to assist small and medium enterprises and spaza shop owners. In April, the Department of Small Business Development announced that government would offer a lifeline to spaza shops and businesses in the informal settlement during the COVID-19 lockdown. Owners will receive a R3,500 capital investment and another R3,500 revolving credit to use at pre-selected wholesalers. EWN spoke to some spaza shop owners in Soweto to find out what they know about this fund.

Gauteng law enforcement agencies conducted a COVID-19 lockdown regulations enforcement operation targeting Orange Farm and Evaton, south of Johannesburg on Thursday morning. The operation started from the taxi rank and proceeded to Eyethu Mall in Orange Farm and later to Evaton Mall.