Despite effective testing strategy, covid-19 infections in South Africa skyrocket to 6336 with 123 deaths
London, May 3, 2020 (AltAfrica)-Despite a comprehensive testing strategy hailed as the best in Africa, South Africa’s confirmed Covid-19 cases have skyrocketed to 6336 with and 123 deaths since the country’s first case was confirmed on March 5, Health Minister Zweli Mkhize announced on Saturday.
According to IOL news website, the latest deaths occurred in the Western Cape and the Free State.
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The number of Covid-19 tests conducted to date is 230 686, of which 13 164 were done in the last 24 hours, Mkhize said. This is the highest number of tests done in a 24 hour cycle to date.
A total of 2549 patients have recovered from the virus
The Western Cape remains the epicentre of the pandemic in South Africa and on Saturday Premier Alan Winde announced that another four patients had died, bringing the province’s Covid-19 death toll to 52.
BREAKDOWN OF CASES BY PROVINCE:
Eastern Cape: 732
Free State: 121
Gauteng: 1598
KwaZulu-Natal: 1051
Limpopo: 36
Mpumalanga: 40
North West :35
Northern Cape: 23
Western Cape: 2700
The figures for the Western Cape differ from those announced by Premier Winde earlier on Saturday because the national figures are compiled from data supplied before the provincial figures are announced.
With the death toll mounting, attention has once again shifted to the restrictions placed on funerals in terms of the Disaster Regulations related to South Africa’s national lockdown. Attendance at funerals is restricted to 50 mourners and the government has appealed to the public to maintain the prescribed physical distancing and hygiene protocols.
However, the travel restrictions also mean that nobody except immediate family can travel to attend a funeral, denying friends and colleagues an opportunity to pay their respects.
On Saturday, Winde said that he had “requested that President Ramaphosa allow for all flags at national key points be flown at half-mast every Wednesday from sunrise to sunset. Once approved, each province could encourage municipalities to follow suit
