Covid-19 update: Jessie Duarte's brother dies after contracting virus

Covid-19 update: Jessie Duarte's brother dies after contracting virus

ANC deputy secretary Jessie Duarte's brother Igshaan Dangor has passed away due to Covid-19 complications. Briefly.co.za explores the latest updates on the pandemic in South Africa.

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ANC deputy secretary Jessie Duarte has lost her brother to Covid-19, according to a statement released by the party.

Igshaan Dangor, 72, passed away due to complications arising from the virus, which was confirmed by the ruling party over the weekend.

Meanwhile, Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize has confirmed that the nation's recovery rate has risen to 90%.

coronavirus
Jessie Duarte's brother, Igshaan Dangor, has passed away after contracting Covid-19. Image: Twitter/ @ANCDSGDaurte, @Abramjee
Source: UGC

1. Jessie Duarte loses brother to Covid-19

ANC deputy secretary Jessie Duarte has lost her brother Igshaan Dangor, 72, to Covid-19. The party has confirmed that Dangor's death had been due to complications from contracting the virus.

The party issued a statement on Sunday acknowledging the death of the veteran, with party spokesperson Pule Mabe commenting that:

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"Dangor went into exile in 1984 to join the ranks of the people's army, uMkhonto we Sizwe. He served our movement with selfless and relentless dedication."

Mabe explained that Dangor had returned from exile in 1990 after the ANC was unbanned and immediately joined the ANC Riverlea branch.

In 1994 Mabe said that Dangor had joined the SA National Defence Force. Expressing his condolences to the family of the late veteran, Mabe commented that Dangor's contribution to his country had been carried out with distinction:

"The ANC conveys its heartfelt condolences to the Dangor family and mass democratic movement and the people of SA as a whole. We hope they will find strength and comfort in the knowledge that the entire country shares their grief."

2. Mkhize on latest statistics

Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize has confirmed the latest increases in Covid-19 infections and fatalities.

In a statement issued by the Department of Health on Sunday evening, Mkhize confirmed that cases have increased to 681 289.

Commenting on the fatalities, the minister reported that an increase in deaths had been recorded:

"Regrettably, we report 38 more Covid-19 related deaths: 37 from Gauteng, 1 from Western Cape. This brings the total number of Covid-19 related deaths to 16 976."

Mkhize further confirmed that SA's recoveries now stand at 614 781, which translates to a recovery rate of 90%.

The breakdown of infections per province is as follows:

  • Eastern Cape - 89 853
  • Free State - 48 403
  • Gauteng - 220 910
  • KwaZulu -Natal- 119 608
  • Limpopo - 15 803
  • Mpumalanga - 27 591
  • North West - 29 927
  • Northern Cape - 17 746
  • Western Cape - 111 448

Earlier, Briefly.co.za reported that Covid-19 patients who have a strain of Neanderthal DNA run a higher risk of having severe complications of the disease, according to researchers.

People who have been infected with Covid-19 who carry the genetic coding of earlier human cousins are more likely to require mechanical ventilation.

There are a number of factors that determine whether a person will need serious care for Covid-19 symptoms or not. These are age and underlying medical conditions. However, according to this new study, genetic factors can also play a role.

Svante Paabo, director of the department of genetics at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, said:

"It is striking that the genetic heritage from Neanderthals has such tragic consequences during the current pandemic."

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Source: Briefly News

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