South Africa closes in on one million COVID-19 cases

By Hassan Isilow

JOHANNESBURG (AA) - South Africa reported 14,305 new coronavirus cases in a 24-hour period, taking the total number of confirmed cases to 968,563, Health Minister Zweli Mkhize announced Thursday.

Mkhize said the country also lost 326 more people to COVID-19 related deaths, bringing the total number of fatalities to 25,983.

At least 822,978 people have recovered from the virus in the country.

South Africa is currently experiencing a second wave of the pandemic. The country experienced the peak of its first wave between July and August.
On Wednesday, Mkhize warned South Africans that the government will need to review the current restrictions and consider further measures to ensure that they curb the alarming rate of spread.

South Africa had some of the harshest COVID-19 restrictions in the world four months back which barred non-essential workers from leaving their homes, exercising outside their homes, attending church or even walking their dogs.

“We can never stress enough the need for citizens to take every precaution necessary as we celebrate the festive season and look for a reprieve from a tough year,” Mkhize said.