SA Covid-19 infections surge to 709

Representation of the Coronavirus.

Representation of the Coronavirus.

Published Mar 25, 2020

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CAPE TOWN - Coronavirus infections in South Africa have increased by 155 to 709, Health Minister Zweli Mkhize announced on Wednesday. Mkhize was speaking on SABC's Morning Live and confirmed the updated numbers.

Mkhize said Gauteng saw a big increase in infections which grew by 64 cases overnight, followed by the Western Cape - 61 cases , KwaZulu-Natal - 11 and the Free State - 15 . He said the increase in the Free State was particularly worrying because the infections seem to have its source at a church service at Divine Restoration Church Ministries in which foreign nationals from the USA and Israel had interacted with almost 300 people.

He said that he expected the numbers to rise as more tests are being conducted across the country.

Mkhize said that governments strategy remains to slow the rate of infection so as to not overwhelm the health system. " Our main priority is to flatten the curve of infection. We are in a battlezone and we are the foot soldiers," said Mkhize.

His announcement comes after President Cyril Ramaphosa announced a 21 day national lockdown on Monday night.

South Africa has not registered any deaths due to the Coronavirus since its first infection two weeks ago.

More to follow..

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