South Africa reports the first deaths in COVID-19. Minister of Health Zweli Mkhize announced two COVID-19 patients had died in South Africa in the Western Cape, one in a private hospital and the other in a public health facility.
The country has reported more than 1 000 cases of COVID-19 with Gauteng reporting more than 400.
Mkhize said in a tweet, “This morning we’re waking up South Africans with the sad news that we’re now seeing our first COVID-19 deaths.”
“We’re going to provide more information later when we announce the newly confirmed COVID-19 cases that have arisen from the number of yesterdays and tipped the 1 000 marks,” he added.
Justice Minister Ronald Lamola says 16 alleged cases of coronavirus in correctional facilities around the country have occurred among officials. Lamola says 11 of the officials tested negative for the virus and the tests are pending for the remaining five.
He says, “There have been maintenance procedures, deep cleaning of some of the correctional facilities that continue as we have been speaking since the lockdown period.
Around 16 officials were suspected of having the virus, eleven of them have been cleared through testing procedures, we are only waiting for results for the five officials.
Minister of Home Affairs Aaron Motsoaledi says that Home Affairs will provide only critical services such as issuing death certificates and temporary identity documents. Motsoaledi says no further documents will be released, including new marriage certificates, new birth certificates, and passports.
He has also reported that charges will be brought against individuals who spread fake reports about the pandemic.
Motsoaledi says, “I want to say here that this fake news and that sometimes it seems to be as harmful as the virus itself as it is troubling people. Because of this and since we are in possession of the original source of the images, I have ordered my officers to go to the police and lay a charge.
Nwada Amarachi Iheanachi reporting, Obinwannem News
