COVID-19 infections keep rising

Health Minister, Zweli Mkhize, says Gauteng, Western Cape and KZN are still leading in case numbers of Covid-19.

Addressing the media online Mkhize says the majority of the South Africa’s confirmed Covid-19 cases are mild and could be treated at home.

However the minister further raised concerns on the more than 3000 confirmed Covid-19 cases that are currently being treated while 52 people have died.

“The total number of people who have the infection, about 80% tend to be mild cases. Mild or asymptomatic. They dont need much attention so in the process you will end up with many of them being able to be treated at home or not needing treatment at all even if you put them in the hospital. If you do you’ll be doing so simply because you are wanting to just make sure they are not infecting other members of their family.”

Meanwhile the Department of International Relations says because of the different lockdown laws globally, the process of repatriating South Africans who are stranded in other countries is taking long.

The departments spokesperson, Clayson Monyela, says recently 80 South Africans were repatriated from Rome Italy.

He says these people will be placed in isolation for 14 days in different facilities across Gauteng.

Monyela further urges families who have loved ones who are out of the country to be patient:

“Our efforts are being constrained by regulations introduced to limit the movement of people globally. Many countries across the world have instituted lock downs to curb the spread of COVID-19. Negotiations are ongoing with countries and other stakeholders to allow South Africans who are stranded abroad to travel. We will like to make an appeal for everyone to remain patient as we explore options on how to bring them back home. To date, the Department of International Relations and Cooperation has assisted with the repatriation of over a 1000 South Africans including hundreds who entered the country through our land borders.”