South Africa: Today’s latest news and headlines, Monday 21 December

We have all the latest news in South Africa for you in the week leading up to Christmas. South Africans will be hard tasked not to reminisce on simpler times as they navigate the frenzied, electric days that lead up to the 25th this week, with measures put in place to urgently stem the spread of the COVID-19. The virus – having regained aspects of its former mystique following the discovery of an aggressive mutated strain last week – is increasingly infecting thousands of citizens each day as the second wave rolls on.

Ramped up measures being rolled out across the world has placed the prospect of South Africa receiving international tourists in jeopardy, meaning that a highly unusual festive season is underway.

TODAY’S LATEST NEWS IN SOUTH AFRICA, Monday 21 December 

COVID-19 latest: Cases edge perilously closer to 100k mark

South Africans will be hard tasked not to reminisce on simpler times as they navigate the frenzied, electric days that lead up to Christmas this week, with measures put in place to urgently stem the spread of the COVID-19. The virus – having regained aspects of its former mystique following the discovery of an aggressive mutated strain last week – is increasingly infecting thousands of citizens each day as the second wave rolls on.

Health Minister Zweli Mkhize announced the latest COVID-19 figures on Saturday 19 September, saying that across the country, cases have increased by 9 445 in the last 24-hours, meaning that the total number of infections that have been accumulatively reported since March 2020 has risen to 921 922. A total of 40 466 tests were conducted over the past 24-hours.

Sadly, over the last 24-hours alone, a further people 152 have died from COVID-19, meaning that a total of 24 691 people have succumbed to the virus since the first death in March 2020. 

The following infections have been reported across South Africa since the Pandemic began in March:

• Eastern Cape – 158 484 cases
• Free State – 60 457 cases; 
• Gauteng – 256 595 cases; 
• KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) – 157 432 cases; 
• Limpopo – 20 220 cases; 
• Mpumalanga – 33 228 cases; 
• North West – 24 164 cases; 
• Northern Cape – 174 664 cases; 
• Western Cape – cases; and
• Unallocated –  0 cases.

KZN ‘super spreader’ church gathering leads to 48 COVID-19 cases

On Sunday, KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sihle Zikalala made raised the alarm on Sunday, saying that a church gathering attended by over 2 000 people has resulted in at least 48 new COVID-19 infections. The announcement comes amidst a number of cluster outbreaks in the province, which has now recorded 157 432 COVID-19 cases.

Healthcare facilities, church gatherings, parties and funerals have all been identified as areas of concern, and Zikalala warned residents of the province that complacency cannot be considered at such a vulnerable time.

“It is hardly surprising that at least 48 of the attendees have now since tested positive,” he said. “We once again wish to issue a warning to our fellow compatriots that we are now confronted by a dangerous outbreak of COVID-19 in KwaZulu-Natal. We appeal that everyone acts responsibly,” he said. Law enforcement agencies will continue to ensure that residents across the country adhere to the lockdown rules that have been put in place, with residents placed in the unusual predicament of a family distanced from their loved ones.

Proteas squad tests negative for COVID-19 ahead of Sri Lanka series

Cricket SA announced on Sunday that the Proteas test side has received a full bill of health after all participating players tested negative for COVID-19 over the Weekend. In doing so, they have safely ensured their their participation in the upcoming series against Sri Lanka.

The squad was reduced to 17 players on Friday when two unnamed players tested positive for COVID-19 and were withdrawn from the two-match series.

In a brief statement, CSA said all members of the squad were tested when they entered a bio-secure environment in Pretoria on Saturday. “CSA is pleased to announce that the entire Proteas team has returned negative results,” they said.

The first Test starts in Centurion on December 26.

LATEST WEATHER FORECAST, Monday 21 December   

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