Coronavirus update: Free State records its first death

The Free State province has reported that they’ve had their first fatality from the coronavirus pandemic. The senior citizen, aged 86, passed away on Monday. The official death toll for SA stands at three.

Coronavirus cases in South Africa – latest news and updates

In total, 1 326 positive coronavirus cases have been reported in South Africa. The news was shared by Cyril Ramaphosa, after he addressed the nation live on television yesterday. He assured citizens of the republic that a nationwide roll-out of testing would help identify more people with the virus and get them treated urgently:

“In the coming days, government will be rolling out a screening, testing, tracing and medical management programme on a huge scale. Around 10 000 field workers will be visiting homes in villages, towns and cities to screen residents for COVID-19 symptoms. People with symptoms will be referred to local clinics.”

“People who are infected with coronavirus, but who have no or moderate symptoms will remain in isolation at home or at a facility provided by government and those with severe symptoms will be transferred to hospitals. An extensive tracing system will be rapidly deployed, too.”

Free State’s first fatality

The first death in the Free State comes just days after the province was identified as a potential hot-spot for coronavirus. An outbreak at a religious gathering in Bloemfontein ended up seeing two MPs get the disease – Kenneth Meshoe and Steve Swart of the ACDP continue to self-isolate. Here’s what we know about this latest fatality.

• The victim’s 81-year-old wife has also been admitted to hospital, over fears she also has coronavirus.
• The Pelonomi facility received the elderly couple yesterday.
• A total of 72 people have tested positive for the disease in Free State.
• The province has screened a total of 2 767 people with 256 tested and 966 traced
• Nine people have already recovered.

The Free State has confirmed its first COVID-19 death. An 86-year-old man has died in Pelonomi hospital in Bloemfontein. The province's confirmed #coronavirus cases now stand at 72. #sabcnews #sabcfs pic.twitter.com/DXQegTNkrN

— SABC News Free State (@SABCFreeState) March 31, 2020