SA records 336 Covid-19 deaths as country returns to lockdown level 3
As South Africa braces for stricter lockdown measures as announced by a teary-eyed President Cyril Ramaphosa Monday night, the health ministry said there had been another 336 Covid-19 related deaths over a 24 hour period.
Broken down by province, the latest recorded deaths were:
Eastern Cape: 109
Free State: 8
Gauteng: 22
KwaZulu-Natal: 49
Western Cape: 148
The latest Covid-19 fatalities brings the total number of deaths to 27,071.
Health Minister Zweli Mkhize said the cumulative number of Covid-19 cases identified since the start of the pandemic in South Africa was 1,011,871.
“Our recoveries stand at 849,974. This represents a recovery rate of 84%.”
Now, more than ever, Mkhize said, “we must fight the Covid-19 war together, as a nation. Wear your mask, practice social distancing & wash your hands regularly.”
Noting the one million cumulative Covid-19 cases in South Africa, the minister added that it was crucial that all South Africans adhere to non-pharmaceutical interventions to prevent the further spread of the virus.
Ramaphosa lamented the ‘complacency’ that has helped drive the latest strain of COVID-19.
He placed the blame on rising infections at the feet of super-spreader parties, people not wearing masks, and a string of large gatherings.
His address, which confirmed that South Africa would be placed under Level 3 restrictions until at least 15 January 2021, seemingly put the country’s head of state on the verge of tears.
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