South Africa has recorded 17 new Covid-19 deaths, taking the total from 161 to 178 on May 8, 2020.

Of the new death cases, nine (9) are from the Western Cape, three (3) apiece from Gauteng and the Eastern Cape, and two (2) KwaZulu-Natal, the Department of Health confirmed.

The number of the reported coronavirus disease infections in the country is 8, 895 to date, the highest in Africa after Egypt. However, the latter has a far greater number of people who died from the Covid-19 pandemic.

SA is on day 44 since nation-wide lockdown restrictions were introduced. Wide the easing of the highest measures from May 01, experts warned of a sharp spike in the number of cases exacerbated by the cold season. The peak is expected after winter.

According to Johns Hopkins University & Medicine, the world cases stand at 3,939,348 and total deaths at 276, 863 on May 9. The United States of America (USA) accounts for over 30% of those who succumbed to the brutal virus. On Saturday, the death toll reached 77, 179, the University published.