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As the world approaches 1 million deaths related to the Covid-19 pandemic, South Africa has recorded an additional 13 deaths as it prepares to enter Tier 1 of its shutdown regulations.
According to Health Minister Zweli Mhize, the total number of Covid-19 cases identified now stands at 661,211 with 1,555 new cases identified since Saturday. During this period 16,884 additional new tests were carried out.
Covid-19 statistics, Sunday, September 20, 2020. Image: Department of Health
The regional distribution of deaths is: three from the Eastern Cape, one from KwaZulu-Natal, three from Gauteng and six from the Western Cape. The official total death toll regarding Covid-19 related deaths is now 15,953.
“Our recoveries now stand at 590,071, which translates to a recovery rate of 89.2%,” Mkhize said.
Coronavirus: Latest Global Developments
– More than 957,000 dead –
The pandemic has killed at least 957,948 people worldwide since it emerged in China late last year, according to an AFP on Sunday based on official sources.
More than 30.8 million people have been infected.
The United States has the highest number of deaths with 199,268, followed by Brazil with 136,532, India with 86,752, Mexico with 73,258 and Great Britain with 41,759.
– UK imposes heavy fines –
People in England who refuse to isolate themselves to stop the spread of the virus could face fines of up to £ 10,000 ($ 13,000, 11,000 euros) under the strict new regulations to address an increase in cases.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson says that as of September 28, people in England will be legally obliged to isolate themselves if they test positive or if the National Health Service (NHS) screening program tells them to.
– Belgium exceeds 100,000 cases –
Belgium surpasses the milestone of 100,000 infections after a sharp increase in cases in recent weeks, according to figures from the Sciensano research institute.
The trend accelerated markedly in the first half of September, reaching an average of 1,000 new infections daily during the week of September 9-15, according to the data.
– Italy votes, cases increase –
Italians cast their votes in a referendum and regional elections, despite warnings against opening polling stations, while the number of Covid-19 cases is on the rise. Italy currently has fewer new cases than Great Britain, France or Spain, but it still records more than 1,500 a day.
“The country is in a state of emergency; It is absolutely contradictory to bring people together in polling stations, especially in light of the trend in Europe, ”Professor Massimo Galli, head of infectious diseases at Milan’s Sacco hospital, told AFP.
– Hollywood Covid Era Awards –
The first major Hollywood awards show of the Covid era takes place on Sunday with the Emmys, the small-screen equivalent of the Oscars, looking radically different from previous editions, with no red carpet and a host broadcasting from a empty theater in Los Angeles.
– Fewer US Election Supervisors –
The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), which oversees elections in many parts of the world, says it will only send a small team to observe US elections in November due to the pandemic.
No short-term observers will be deployed to monitor the day’s elections, Katya Andrusz, an OSCE spokeswoman, told AFP. The team for the November 3 elections will be comprised of just 14 analysts and 30 long-term observers.
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