South Africa inches towards 300,000 COVID-19 cases

JOHANNESBURG: The number of coronavirus cases in South Africa has inched over 300,000.

“We have exceeded the 300,000 marks to reach a cumulative total of 311,049 confirmed COVID-19 cases in South Africa,” Health Minister Zweli Mkhize said.

An additional 107 fatalities were also reported, bringing the total number of deaths up to 4,453. Over 35 percent of cases were recorded in Gauteng province, South Africa’s financial hub, and the epicentre of the outbreak, which also accounts for the highest number of deaths.

The country is the hardest-hit in Africa, followed by Egypt with just under 85,000 confirmed cases and 4,067 deaths to date. South Africa’s mortality rate has remained low, however, at just under 1.5 percent.

Read more: Global coronavirus cases surge to 13 million

More than half of the country s COVID-19 patients have recovered from the virus. “We are now facing a real rise in infections,” Ramaphosa said.

The president re-imposed a night curfew and a controversial alcohol sales ban on Sunday to ease pressure on hospitals. Those restrictions had been gradually lifted after a strict seven-week lockdown.