Consider this a taste of what’s to come: The spread of the coronavirus has now affected more than 700 people in South Africa, as Wednesday registered the biggest daily increase of cases seen in the country so far. It will only get worse from here, as more tests are carried out and transmissions continue to take place.
Coronavirus cases in South Africa
The data is stark, and despite the fatality rate of zero so far, that’s likely to change. We’ve been looking at where the new cases have surfaced. Gauteng is very much the centre of the epidemic, but this could soon shift to the Free State.
Zweli Mkhize has revealed that 50 recent cases of the disease have been traced to Bloemfontein, at a religious gathering that was attended by African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) leader Rev Kenneth Meshoe. It’s understood a number of US tourists carrying COVID-19 have spread it to congregants who attended the event earlier in March.
Meshoe has been tested for the coronavirus, whereas his ACDP colleague and fellow MP Steve Swart is now self-isolating. As more testing is done, Free State could soon close the gap on other provinces.
Where have the most recent coronavirus been recorded?
- Gauteng: Up 64 on Wednesday, 366 in total;
- Western Cape: Up 61 on Wednesday, 191 cases in total;
- Free State: Up by 15 on Wednesday, more than 50 cases in total;
- KwaZulu-Natal: Up by 11, 91 in total; and
- Elsewhere: Four cases unattributed to a location, 155 recorded overnight, 709 cases in total across SA
‘Don’t take this lightly’
Mkhize, on his last nerve with some refusing to take coronavirus seriously, issued a brash warning:
Source: The South African Read More“There are no coronavirus fatalities to report: All patients are improving and there are on only two who are in ICU. I’m worried about people who will take this lightly. Do not invite family or friends round to your home during lockdown: This virus will not be defeated by doctors and nurses, it will be defeated by our people.”
National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD)
