South Africa’s COVID-19 death toll has risen to seven.
Health Minister Zweli Mkhize announced this on Friday in Khayelitsha, in the Western Cape.
The Minister says at least 43 new confirmed coronavirus infection cases have been reported, bringing the total national figure to 1 505.
He says with more pro-active testing in the coming days, they expect that number to rise.
Below is a timeline of a national lockdown to slow COVID-19 spread in SA:
LOCKDOWN TIMELINE by SABC Digital News
COVID-19 tracking database
The amended lockdown regulations released on Thursday have allowed for the movements of people who have tested positive or are reasonably suspected to have contracted corononavirus, to be traced through their electronic communications service providers.
The regulations state that the Director General of the Department of Health may obtain the details of the person concerned, including their location, from their service providers in writing or without prior notice.
Ms Vanessa Maseko answers COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions in IsiZulu https://t.co/qIWxTYHAWF via @YouTube
— NICD (@nicd_sa) April 2, 2020
As part of the declaration’s regulations, government through the National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD) is responsible for maintaining a database of persons infected and those suspected to have COVID-19.
You can download the COVID-19 regulations and amendments: https://t.co/RYsiEfwl3F#COVID19 #StayAtHomeSA #LockdownSA pic.twitter.com/xWkrcp2RrF
— NationalCoGTA (@NationalCoGTA) April 2, 2020
The Tracing Database will be availed for research, study and teaching purposes after the national state of disaster has lapsed.
Those that do not adhere to regulations guiding the use information for COVID-19 tracing face penalties or imprisonment for a period not exceeding six months.
South Africa is on day eight of the 21 days national lockdown, which was enacted to curb the spread of COVID-19. The spread of the virus led to a declaration of national state of disaster under the Disaster Management Act of 2002.
In the video below, Minister Mkhize updates South Africans on latest COVID-19 statistics.
