COVID – 19: South Africa Records First 2 Deaths As Cases Hit 1,000

The government of South Africa has recorded its first two deaths from the novel Coronavirus, known as COVID-19.

The government also said cases of the virus in the country has topped 1,000.

Minister of Health, Zweli Mkhize, in a statement on Friday, said the two people died in the Western Cape Province.

He said “This morning we wake South Africans up with sad news that we now have our first deaths resulting from COVID-19.”

The country is under a nationwide 21-day lockdown that took effect at midnight.

According to the health minister, more details would be released later “when we announce the latest confirmed COVID-19 cases, which have increased from yesterday’s number and have tipped the 1,000 mark”.

On Friday, the country reported 927 confirmed cases, a more than 30 percent jump from the previous day.

In a bid to halt the spread, some 57 million people have been ordered to stay at home during the three-week total lockdown.

Reports however, said many people have defied the order, as they go about their businesses as usual while some lined up outside food stores or queue up for transport at bus terminals on Friday morning.