Latest statistics show a record 3,267 new infections on Thursday, bringing the total to 40,792 cases, while almost 850 people have died
SA remains “at war” with the coronavirus and will have to find additional resources to limit casualties, with the worst of the pandemic yet to come, President Cyril Ramaphosa says.
The disease has continued to spread despite a national lockdown that was imposed on March 27 and brought the economy to a near-standstill. Although most businesses re-opened this month, forecasts of an exponential rise in cases have been borne out by the latest statistics that show a record 3,267 new infections on Thursday, bringing the total to 40,792 cases. Almost 850 people have died.
“We have decided that Covid-19 is a war that we need to fight and win and therefore we are going to allocate the resources that are necessary,” Ramaphosa said on Friday during a visit to Cape Town, SA’s second-largest city and the epicentre of the outbreak. “We cannot sit back and be defeated.” The president pledged to heed calls by city officials to help them access additional money, testing kits and medical staff and facilities to tackle the virus, which he said the country will have to live with for 18 months to two years. Some epidemiologists say the virus may cause 35,000 to 50,000 deaths this year.
“Cost is not the issue here, saving lives is the main issue,” Ramaphosa said. “Funding will be made available.”
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
COVID-19: Ramaphosa calls on SA to drink responsiblyPresident Cyril Ramaphosa says banning alcohol sales again due to a spike in alcohol-related incidents is not on the cards.
Read more »
Covid-19 claims 848 lives in SA as infections reach 40,792Health minister Zweli Mkhize said the number of Covid-19 cases had increased to 40,792 on Thursday - an increase of 3,267 cases in 24 hours.
Read more »
More than 3 million screened for Covid-19 in SAHealth Department spokesperson Thapelo Lekgwethwane said this is good progress considering the total population of North West stands at just below 4 million.
Read more »
Bryan Habana says it would be tricky for SA rugby to align with northern hemisphereFormer Springbok winger and 2007 Rugby World Cup winner Bryan Habana says a move to the Northern Hemisphere for SA Rugby can only really take shape once there’s clarity on a global season.
Read more »
PICS: Dozens of rhino at 3 SA parks dehorned to prevent lockdown poaching surgeWorldEnvironmentDay2020: Rhinos in Pilanesburg National Park and the Mafikeng and Botsalano game reserves have been dehorned to prevent armed poachers taking advantage of the post-Covid-19 crash in tourism to kill them for their horns.
Read more »
SA sees record jump in coronavirus casesSouth Africa has recorded the highest number of daily COVID-19 cases with 3,267 new infections.
Read more »