Coronavirus: Possible lockdown extension as SA reaches 1 585 cases
With South Africans struggling to adjust to the lockdown regulations, the possibility of an extension is daunting. With 1 585 coronavirus cases and 9 fatalities, Mzansi may be facing down this unseen enemy for quite some time still.
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South Africa is looking at the possibility of the current coronavirus lockdown being extended according to a report.
With the number of confirmed cases nearing the 1 6000 mark, the measures taken to limit the spread of the virus may be taken up a notch.
Briefly.co.za explores five of the latest updates on the current situation:
1. Covid-19: SA could be in lockdown for months to defeat the virus
As we enter the 10th day of lockdown, almost half-way, people are getting to grips with the new normal. However, there might be a chance that the lockdown is extended beyond the initial 21 days.
The three-week lockdown might turn into a three or four-month ordeal as the virus has not reached its peak and if lockdown measures are relaxed too early, infections could spike and spiral out of control.
The Rapport suggested that the lockdown could be extended. This would result in South Africans being forced to stay home for 12-16 weeks, which could cause significant unrest in parts of the population.
2. Coronavirus: Minister Mkhize confirms 1 585 cases, 9 fatalities
Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize has announced the latest statistics in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic in South Africa. In a statement released by the Department of Health, Zweli noted an increase in the number of infections, commenting that:
"As at today, the total number of confirmed Covid-19 cases is 1 585. This is an increase of 80 from the previously reported cases."
3. Bill Gates offers to help African countries get Covid-19 test kits
The billionaire and founder of Microsoft, Bill Gates has offered to help African countries access mass-based testing kits for Covid-19.
Gates praised Ramaphosa when he was interviewed by Trevor Noah.
“In developing countries its far harder and so you know there will be these measures actually stop it from getting to a large part of the population places like India, Nigeria. You know I was talking to President Ramaphosa, who’s not only President of South Africa but as the head of the African Union and he’s a very strong voice encouraging the countries there to act quickly when the number of cases is still fairly low.”
4. Covid-19: Netball SA president recovers and has a message for Mzansi
Netball South Africa president Cecilia Molokwane has recovered from the coronavirus and has been released from her two-week quarantine.
On Saturday, she received the good news that she had tested negative for the virus, meaning that it was no longer in her system.
She had a message for South Africa, that the virus needs to be taken seriously and lockdown procedures must be followed.
"It is such an exhausting exercise however it's worth it to be self-quarantined for my sake and the sake of those close to you. I have a 3-year-old daughter not being able to even give her a hug is a nightmare; one needs to be self-disciplined because the virus doesn't move however people do."
5. Trump: Warns US public that outbreak 'is going to be very horrendous'
United States President Donald Trump has warned the public that the coming days are going to be very difficult as the number of predicted deaths from the virus will skyrocket. He called it the toughest 2 weeks of the pandemic.
“There’s going to be a lot of death,” Trump said at a briefing with reporters. He brushed aside criticism that the government had done too little to source enough ventilators which could increase the chances of survival of critically ill patients.
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Source: Briefly News
