Sun 12 July 2020:
South Africa is reporting another 13,497 confirmed coronavirus cases for a total of 264,184 including 3,971 deaths. More than a third of cases are in the new hot spot of Gauteng province, which includes Johannesburg and the capital, Pretoria.
Already, public hospitals are expressing concerns about shortages of available beds and medical oxygen. The percentage of tests that are positive is now over 25 percent, but the National Institute of Infectious Diseases says that could reflect both the rise in infections and more targeted testing.
President Cyril Ramaphosa is set to reintroduce a number of lockdown restrictions as the country grapples with a surge in coronavirus cases, the Sunday Times reports.
The reintroduction of restrictions comes after a meeting of the National Coronavirus Command Council (NCCC) and the cabinet, as well as a number of consultations with top scientific advisers.
Some of the restrictions which are set to be introduced include:
- The reintroduction of the night-time curfew;
- Stricter regulations on the sale of alcohol;
- Limiting movement between provinces;
- Enforcing a limited load in minibus taxis and other modes of public transport.
Presidential spokesperson Khusela Diko confirmed to the paper that the president will address the nation on Sunday evening (12 July), but would not say what he is likely to announce.
The National Department of Health today announced that the country now has 264 184 confirmed cases. This is an increase of 13 500 new cases on the previous day’s figures.
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