Just In: COVID-19 cases in SA now at 3 300, death toll at 58

Health Minister Zweli Mkhize, on Monday 20 April, announced that the confirmed COVID-19 cases in South Africa have risen to 3 300. 

This is an increase of 142, as the total number of confirmed cases stood at 3 158 on Sunday 19 April. 

Mkhize also announced that the death toll rose to 58. This is an increase of four, as the total death toll stood at 54 on Sunday 19 April. 

Latest COVID-19 cases by province as of Monday 20 April

The following confirmed COVID-19 cases have been detected in each province as of Monday: 

• Gauteng – 1 170 cases;
• Western Cape – 940 cases; 
• KwaZulu-Natal – 639 cases; 
• Free State – 105 cases; 
• Eastern Cape – 310 cases; 
• Limpopo – 27 cases; 
• Mpumalanga – 23 cases; 
• North West – 25 cases; 
• Northern Cape – 18 cases; and 
• Unallocated – 43 cases.

Latest COVID-19 deaths in each province 

The latest COVID-19 death toll in each province, according to Mkhize, is as follows: 

• Gauteng – 7 deaths;
• Western Cape – 17 deaths;
• KwaZulu-Natal – 23 deaths;
• Free State – 5 deaths;
• Eastern Cape – 5 deaths;
• Limpopo – 1 death

This comes to a total of 58 COVID-19 deaths. The highest number of deaths was found in KwaZulu-Natal.

Number of recoveries in each province 

The following COVID-19 recoveries have been made in each province: 

• Gauteng – 545;
• Western Cape – 216; 
• KwaZulu-Natal – 151; 
• Free State – 74; 
• Eastern Cape – 15; 
• Limpopo – 21; 
• Mpumalanga – 14; 
• North West – 13; and 
• Northern Cape – 6

Ramaphosa condemns food corruption

In his weekly “from the desk of the president” announcement, President Cyril Ramaphosa said the alleged corruption regarding food during the COVID-19 lockdown is “unacceptable”. 

“If there is found to be substance to these allegations we will deal with the individuals concerned harshly,” said Ramaphosa.

The president maintains that every South African should have food, pandemic or not.

“We are at a point in our battle with the [COVID-19] pandemic where complacency could prove disastrous. I call on each and every one to remain vigilant, to continue to abide by the regulations, and to keep safe and keep others safe.”

“As government we will this week be providing information on the direct interventions we are taking to shield our most vulnerable citizens from the grim prospect of starvation. Among the many difficulties our people face at this time, wondering where their next meal will come from should not be one of them.”

President Cyril Ramaphosa

This is a developing story – more details to follow