The deaths occurred in the Western Cape
TWO PEOPLE have died as a result of Coronavirus (COVID-19), the Minister of Health, Dr Zweli Mkhize, said this morning.
“This morning, we wake South Africans up with sad news that we now have our first deaths resulting from COVID-19,” Mkhize said in a statement on Friday.
The deaths occurred in the Western Cape: one at a private hospital and the other at a public hospital.
Mkhize said government would provide more details on these deaths when it announces the latest confirmed COVID-19 cases, which have tipped the 1 000 mark.
The deaths come as South Africa entered the first day of a 21-day national lockdown aimed at slowing down the spread of the virus.
President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the lockdown in a televised address to the nation on Monday.
