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SA’s COVID-19 death toll surpasses 200 with 637 new coronavirus cases

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The country’s COVID-19 death toll has passed the 200 mark. Health Minister Zweli Mkhize has announced that 12 new COVID-19 related deaths have been recorded, bringing the national toll to 206.

The North West has recorded its first death.  The Western Cape accounts for eight deaths, Eastern Cape two  and KwaZulu-Natal one case.

“We express our deepest condolences to the family of the deceased and appreciate the health workers who treated these patients. ”

There are also 637 new cases reported in the last 24-hours, bringing the total number of cases in the country to 10 652.

The Western Cape has the highest number of cases with 5 621 and followed by Gauteng with 1 971 cases. The province is still recording a high number of deaths.

From the latest statistics, 8 of the 12 deaths are from that province. The remaining casualties include 2 from the Eastern Cape and one each from KwaZulu-Natal and the North West.

This is the North West’s first COVID-related fatality. The province has only 50 confirmed cases.

Meanwhile, the number of recoveries has also increased to 4 357, which means that there are currently 6 089 active cases, Minister Mkhize indicated.

More than 14 000 cases have been conducted in the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of tests to 356 067.

Below is an infographic on the latest COVID-19 numbers in South Africa:

 

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In the video below, Mkhize gives an update during his visit to the Eastern Cape:

‘Coronavirus becomes part of citizens’ daily existence’

Meanwhile, President Cyril Ramaphosa says South Africans must be prepared for a new reality in which the fight against coronavirus becomes part of citizens’ daily existence, for the coming year or more.

In his weekly letter to the nation, Ramaphosa says with many more people gradually going to work during Level 4, there will be an inevitable increase in infection numbers as well as demands on the health care sector.

But, contrary to that, the pressure is mounting for him to reopen the country’s economy and help save jobs.

All eyes are on President Ramaphosa to pave a way forward on the country’s next step after the introduction of Level 4 nationwide lockdown over a week ago.

Earlier in the week, the president told South Africans that he is aware that the country’s economy is being battered due to the lockdown.

“The next challenge is the economic challenge. COVID-19 has brought about a total destruction of our economy. Our economy, as we speak now, is under a great deal of stress and challenge. We now need to collectively respond to how we going to rebuild and reposition that economy.”

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