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South Africa reported a record 17,710 new daily cases of Covid-19 days after control measures were put in place to curb a second rising wave of infections.
The total number of confirmed cases in the country since the start of the pandemic stands at 1,039,161 with 28,033 deaths, the health department said in a statement late Wednesday.
A 33% positivity rate “is still a huge concern,” he said. The number can be distorted by testing delays during the holiday season.
President Cyril Ramaphosa announced on December 28 a new ban on the sale of alcohol, extended the curfew and the mandatory use of masks in public.
The pandemic and the restrictions imposed to contain it have devastated Africa’s most industrialized economy, and the central bank forecasts that gross domestic product will contract 8% this year.
# COVID-19 Statistics in SA as of December 30.
Use the COVID Alert SA app to protect yourself, your loved ones, and your community. Start using this privacy-preserving app today! Add your phone to the fight! Download the Covid Alert SA app now! https://t.co/8YKEqaiiRF pic.twitter.com/J6iaNMKfkj
– Dr. Zweli Mkhize (@DrZweliMkhize) December 30, 2020
Recoveries in South Africa have reached 867,597, leaving a balance of 143,531 active cases.
Globally, there are now more than 80.3 million confirmed cases of the virus, and deaths exceed 1.77 million.
Health Minister Dr. Zweli Mkhize urged South Africans to follow the new level 3 lockdown regulations, in particular the new stance on wearing masks. He said not wearing a mask in public is now a crime and violators will be arrested and / or fined.
When you wear a mask, it should cover your mouth and nose, he said.
Read: Lock level 3 is not as bad as last time, but what follows could be worse – analyst
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