5,951 confirmed cases of coronavirus in South Africa: deaths rise to 116



[ad_1]

Health Minister Dr. Zweli Mkhize said in a statement on Friday night (May 1) that there are now 5,951 positive cases of Covid-19 in South Africa.

This is up to 304 of the 5,647 Covid-19 cases announced Thursday.

Dr. Mkhize also announced that 13 other people died from the virus, bringing the total deaths to 116.

A total of 217,522 tests have been completed to date, with 9,992 tests completed in the last 24 hours. Total recovery is 2,382.

The latest figures coincide with South Africa moving to a level 4 blockade, with more than 1.5 million people joining the workforce over the next week.

Globally, coronavirus cases represent more than 3.32 million cases and almost 235,000 deaths. There have been 1.05 million recoveries to date.

Of the 2.04 million current active cases, 50,823 (2%) are considered serious or critical.

The coronavirus pandemic is likely to last up to two years and will not be controlled until about two-thirds of the world’s population is immune, an expert group said in a report.

Due to its ability to spread from people who do not appear to be sick, the virus may be more difficult to control than influenza, the cause of most pandemics in recent history, according to the report from the Center for Disease Research and Policy. Infectious at the University of Minnesota.

In reality, people may be more infectious before symptoms appear, according to the report, as Bloomberg noted.

Meanwhile, the President of the United States, Donald Trump, verbally attacked Sweden for the country’s relaxed approach to fighting Covid-19.

Trump, who faces criticism in his country for minimizing the threat of a pandemic, on Thursday sought to draw attention to events in Sweden, Bloomberg reported.

“Despite reports to the contrary, Sweden is paying a lot for its decision not to close,” he tweeted.

Going to level 3

Trade and Industry Minister Ebrahim Patel says South Africa should be able to move to a level 3 block “quickly” as long as it prevents a sharp rise in levels of Covid-19 infections.

Level 3 would allow things like limited air travel and the sale of alcohol, subject to limited hours, that is, from Monday to Wednesday, from 08:00 to 12:00.

The minister addressed the Trade, Industry and Competition Portfolio Committee, along with the Select Committee on Trade and Industry, Economic Development, Small Business, Tourism, Employment and Labor on Friday, May 1.

Patel said that if the country avoids a sharp rise in infection levels with large numbers of workers returning to work, and is able to expand testing and healthcare facilities, the economy could move to level 3 as soon as possible. possible.

The minister told committees that the country does not need to remain at level 4, which started on Friday May 1, for a specified number of weeks, but that it can quickly move to a lower level if risks are mitigated.


Read: Here is the official price of gasoline for May



[ad_2]