The number of people infected with the novel coronavirus surpassed 50,000 mark on Monday, with 2,594 cases reported in the last 24 hours, the South African Health Minister Zweli Mkhize announced on social media. Recoveries have reached 26,099, while the number of deaths has also pushed past the 1,000 mark at 1,080.
Addressing the grave situation in the country, President Cyril Ramapahosa said in his weekly open letter to the public that he is worried that South Africa has been on a steep trajectory as more than half of all cases since the start of the outbreak were recorded over the last two weeks, reported ABC News.
“Like many South Africans, I too have been worried as I watch these figures keep rising,” he said. “While these numbers are broadly in line with what the various models had projected, there is a big difference between looking at a graph on a piece of paper and seeing real people becoming infected, some getting ill and some dying.”
According to Ramaphosa, the nationwide lockdown, which is one of the world’s strictest lockdowns, had achieved the government’s objective of delaying the spread of the virus and gave the government enough time to prepare health facilities and interventions for the expected increase in infections.
The South African president urged the people to adhere to social distancing practices because it is through close contact between people that the virus will be spread.
Despite an alarming increase in the number of coronavirus cases in the country, the South African government is easing many restrictions imposed during the 10-week-old lockdown.
During the last two months of the lockdown, only essential businesses were allowed to operate fully. But, now, the government has lifted many restrictions allowing people to return to work. The schools have also been reopened now.
Meanwhile, the South African government is also ready to reintroduce international tourism to the country from September this year and dismissed reports that visitors won’t return until 2021.
