Covid-19 update: SAPS confirms over 300 officers lost to virus
The extent of the burden the Covid-19 pandemic on the SA Police Service has become clear. Briefly.co.za explores the latest updates on the continued battle against the crisis.
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The South African Police Service has formed part of the nation's frontline response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
A recently released statement by the police has detailed the extent of the damage done to the force by the crisis.
Briefly.co.za explores the latest Covid-19 pandemic updates below:
Source: Twitter
1. SAPS has lost 340 officers to Covid-19
The South African Police Service says that the pandemic has taken an immense toll on its members.
Amid the second wave of infections, spokesperson Brigadier Vishnu Naidoo commented that:
“As of 31st December, we lost 340 members to this virus and that number is still growing. We’ve had members that have lost their lives over these past three days including this morning as well but we haven’t got the full and final stats as yet."
Naidoo acknowledged the strain on fellow officers with over 21 000 police officers testing positive:
"Of course, it does put a strain on the emotional state of our members because thus far we’ve had more than 21 000 members who were infected. Fortunately, over 19 000 of them have recovered, 340 still remain in hospital while 340 have lost their lives to the virus."
2. Mkhize on latest Covid-19 statistics
Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize has once again updated South Africans on the latest Covid-19 statistics.
In a statement issued on Sunday evening, Mkhize noted the latest number of infections:
"Today we report a cumulative total of 1 100 748 COVID-19 cases identified with 11 859 new cases since the last report, representing a 32% positivity rate."
In addition to the latest number of cases, Mkhize also acknowledged the latest fatalities:
"Regrettably, a further 402 COVID-19 related deaths have been reported: Eastern Cape 109, Free State 2, Gauteng 73, Kwa-Zulu Natal 85, Limpopo 23, Northern Cape 3 and Western Cape 107. This brings the total to 29 577 deaths."
Earlier, Briefly.co.za reported that Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi is adamant that travellers using fake Covid-19 certificates will come short.
The politician vowed that the full might of the law would be levied against offenders after 17 fake certificates were discovered.
Motsoaledi was carrying out a compliance visit at a mobile testing site located at the Beitbridge border post on Saturday.
Commenting on a person who had handed in a fake certificate in order to gain passage across the border, the Minister was adamant that he should be returned, slamming the perpetrator as a
"You can't just come with your fraudulent documents. The person who wants to enter your country with a fraudulent document is undermining your sovereignty, is undermining the order in your country, is undermining al the laws."
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Source: Briefly News
