Mon 13 July 2020:

Since alcohol sales were reintroduced in June, hospitals have experienced a spike in emergency ward admissions.

South Africa extended measures to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus Sunday as the number of cases in the country continued to rise.

In a nationally televised address on Sunday, Ramaphosa said top health officials warned of impending shortages of hospital beds and oxygen as South Africa reaches a peak of COVID-19 cases. He said some hospitals have had to turn away patients because all their beds are full.

Ramaphosa said since the sale and distribution of alcohol was reintroduced in June, hospitals have experienced a spike in admissions in their trauma and emergency wards.

South Africa‘s rapid increase in reported cases has made it one of the world‘s centres for COVID-19, as it is ranked as the ninth country most affected by the disease, according to Johns Hopkins University. It has reported increases of more than 10,000 confirmed cases for several days and the latest daily jump was nearly 13,500.

“While the surge of infections has been expected, the force and the speed with which it has progressed has, quite understandably, caused great concern,” said Ramaphosa.

“Many of us are fearful of the danger this presents for ourselves and for our families.“

The countrywide curfew mandates that people must not be on the roads between 9pm and 4am local time effective Monday.

Masks have also been declared mandatory with all transport operators, employers, and owners of businesses and buildings now legally obliged to ensure everyone entering their businesses or premises are wearing masks.

‘Drinking sprees’

Ramaphosa lambasted citizens who have continued to have social gatherings, including parties and overcrowded funerals, saying they contributed significantly to the rapid spread of the virus.

South Africa imposed one of the world’s strictest lockdowns in April and May, including closing virtually all mines, factories and businesses, and a ban on sales of alcohol and cigarettes. The measures slowed the spread of the coronavirus but South Africa’s economy, already in recession, contracted dramatically, increasing unemployment above 30 percent.

Highest virus cases in Africa

With 276,242 coronavirus cases, South Africa ranks first in the continent.

A total of 4,079 people have died from the virus while 134,874 people have recovered.

The highest number of cases have been reported in the Gauteng region, while the lowest number of cases and deaths have been registered in the Northern Cape region.

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