The Eastern Cape has recorded its first coronavirus (COVID-19) related death. A retired nurse has died from COVID-19 at Livingstone Hospital in Port Elizabeth.
The deceased had attended a funeral at KwaDwesi Location where she is believed to have contracted the virus. The Nelson Mandela Bay is the epicentre of the pandemic, with 30 reported cases of the 61 in the province.
Eastern Cape Health MEC, Sindiswa Gomba says safety measures were not followed at the funeral.
“The patient was admitted just over a week at Livingstone in Port Elizabeth and she unfortunately lost the battle. She got into our hospital in a coma and we were thinking she is going to survive but however condolences to the family.”
South Africa is currently on a national lockdown, which will end at the end of April.
“Our mass community screening and testing programme is being rolled out across all provinces, with a particular focus on vulnerable communities.” – President Ramaphosa #LockdownSA #Covid_19SA
— South African Government (@GovernmentZA) April 9, 2020
President Ramaphosa announced the lockdown’s extension on Thursday night.
“If we end the lockdown too soon or too abruptly we risk a massive and uncontrollable resurgence of the disease we risk reversing the gains that we have made over the last few weeks and rendering meaningless the great sacrifices that we have all made fellow South Africans this evening I stand before you to ask you to endure a little longer,” he said.
The number of infections in the country currently stands at 1 934 with 18 deaths recorded.
Graphic below illustrates protective measures against COVID-19:
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In the video below, President Cyril Ramaphosa addresses the nation:
