Earlier in the day South Africa has reported its biggest single-day jump in coronavirus cases, as hospitals across the country brace for an onslaught of patients and officials warn of another strict lockdown.
More than 8,700 infections were confirmed on Thursday, taking the country’s total count to 168,061, according to health ministry data, while deaths rose by 95 to 2,844.
The increment comes as the government has allowed businesses to reopen in recent weeks to stave off economic disaster after a strict two-month stay-at-home order worsened already high unemployment and drastically increased hunger.
The Health Minister, Zwelini Mkhize said the government could impose another strict lockdown if coronavirus infections and deaths continued to rise.
“If, in the future, there is a need for another lockdown, we will not hesitate to go that route. Right now, there is no such a decision taken,” Mkhize told broadcaster talk Radio 702 on Wednesday.
At the end of March, South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa announced one of the toughest lockdowns anywhere in the world, banning anyone but essential workers from leaving home except to buy food or medicine. At the time, South Africa had recorded just 400 cases.
On Thursday, Ramaphosa informed Parliament of his decision to extend the deployment of 20,000 soldiers, a drop from 76,000, until September 30 to help enforce coronavirus restrictions.
Meanwhile, human trials for a potential coronavirus vaccine – the first in Africa – were rolled out last week in Johannesburg. Some 2,000 volunteers are expected to take part.
Forecasts by health experts have warned that South Africa could see from 40,000 to more than 70,000 deaths from COVID-19 before the end of 2020. Africa-News reports.