A South African uniformed Metro policeman (L) and a plainclothes one (R) attempt to implement distancing exterior a grocery store in Hillbrow, Johannesburg, on March 27, 2020 the place a number of dozens of consumers are queuing for meals with out respecting the minimal security distance. – South Africa got here below a nationwide lockdown on March 27, 2020, becoming a member of different African nations imposing strict curfews and shutdowns in an try and halt the unfold of the COVID-19 coronavirus throughout the continent. (Photo by MARCO LONGARI / AFP)
“This morning we wake South Africans up with sad news that we now have our first deaths resulting from COVID-19,” Health Minister Zweli Mkhize mentioned in a press release.
He mentioned the 2 folks died within the Western Cape province, because the nation went below a nationwide 21-day lockdown that took impact at midnight.
The minister promised to launch extra particulars later “when we announce the latest confirmed COVID-19 cases, which have increased from yesterday’s number and have tipped the 1,000 mark”.
On Friday, the nation reported 927 confirmed circumstances, a greater than 30 p.c leap from yesterday.
In a bid to halt the unfold, some 57 million folks have been ordered to remain at house throughout the three-week whole lockdown.
But many individuals defied the order — going about enterprise as traditional whereas some lined up exterior meals shops or queuing up for transport at bus terminals on Friday morning.