Johannesburg, SOUTH AFRICA
South Africa reported the death of a second person from the
deadly coronavirus as the country’s number of confirmed cases rose to 1,280.
According to
a statement by the Minister of Health Dr Zwelini Mkhize, the deceased had an
underlying skin cancer condition (melanoma), which had already complicated his
health.
“The
74-year-old male had been in ICU and ventilation in a private hospital in
Ladysmith. He had travelled to Kruger National Park with his family and came
back with flu like symptoms. He was confirmed to be COVID-19 positive on the
27th March 2020,” the statement read in part.
Mkhize said
that the deceased had shown certain symptoms, including respiratory distress,
shortness of breath, cardiac failure, decreased saturation and his temperature
was above 38 degrees.
Mkhize added
that the family of the deceased, 14 health workers, among them 3 specialist
doctors, who were in contact with the deceased were in quarantine and being
monitored.
Meanwhile,
Mkhize also announced that the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases hit 1,280 an
increase of 93 cases from the previous tally, as of March 29.
Gauteng
Province accounts for about 45 percent of the country’s cases with 584 followed
by the Western Cape with 310 (24 percent) and KwaZulu-Natal with 167 (9
percent). The other six provinces have recorded between six and 72 cases while
100 cases have not been designated to any region.
South Africa
is the worst hit nation in Africa by the coronavirus. In response to the
COVID-19 numbers, the South African government has announced several new
measures to curb the spread of the disease.
The measures
include the imposition of a 21-day lockdown and legally enforcing testing,
treatment and quarantine or isolation of suspected cases. The spread of false
information about COVID-19 is also now punishable by up to six months in
prison.
Health
experts have warned that even facilities in Africa’s richest nation, South
Africa, could be overwhelmed by the virus’ spread.
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