On Tuesday Mar. 31, the Minister of Health Dr Zweli Mkhize confirmed five (5) deaths due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
While the number of people dying from the coronavirus plague is increasing steadily, infection cases surged to 1, 353 to date.
The South African government revealed its new plans to ramp up the screening and testing for Covid-19 across the country.
Of major concern, the virus is starting to infect township and village dwellers. Because of the inevitability of community spread, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced on Monday that “10, 000 fieldworkers” will visit homes to check for symptomatic people. Those who may need medical intervention will be referred to the nearest clinics or health facilities.
Below is a provincial breakdown for Covid-19 cases in South Africa:
Global at a glance
For the speed with which it spreads and its hold on the people of the world, not least the non-existence of the vaccine, World Health Organization has declared Covid-19 a pandemic and global health emergency.
Over 42, 000 deaths for the novel coronavirus have been recorded worldwide so far. Italy still tops the charts with 12, 000 plus, three times more than China on just over 3, 300. Second is Spain on over 8, 000 alarmingly followed by the United States of America nearing 4, 000. To round off the top five countries with the highest deaths is France above 3, 500.
Corporate support
President Ramaphosa also made mention of Naspers’ R1, 5 billion pledge to fight Covid-19.
The media conglomerate’s support comes at the back of pledges – R1 billion apiece – put forth by the Ruperts, Oppenheimers and Motsepe Foundation establishments.
Government has extended its financial aid to small and medium enterprises to enable them to access stock for operational purposes. The offer caters for the informal sector as well provided they produce or apply for valid permits and identification of their own businesses.
South Africa is in its 5th day of the 21-day lockdown. Meanwhile, the economy has and is continuing to take a battering.
It does not get any better with a recent downgrade (“to junk status”) by S&P Global Ratings. And there is no guessing nor indication of what will happen after 21 days either in SA nor elsewhere in the world.