South Africa's COVID-19 fatalities rise to 7
It's been confirmed there have been two more coronavirus deaths in KwaZulu-Natal - bringing the total number of fatalities in South Africa to seven.
Health Minister Zweli Mkhize made the announcement at a briefing in Cape Town this afternoon.
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Mkhize says the number of confirmed infections in South Africa has risen to 1505 after 43 new cases were registered since the last count.
He says the numbers we're seeing now are likely to change once they go out into communities to conduct mass door-to-door screening and testing for coronavirus.
Mkhize has also paid tribute to the country's health workers who are on the frontline in the fight against the virus, which was declared a public health emergency by the World Health Organisation in late January.
"The health workers have been seized with the task of having to save the lives of our people. We appreciate their commitment to do the work. We've already been to various places where we've seen the enthusiasm and preparedness of our professional staff to be able to deal with this pandemic," Mkhize said.
The minister says it's important to make sure the lockdown works so that the spread of the virus can be reduced. He says South Africans must flatten the curve so that when the flu season starts there isn't too much pressure placed on the country's health system.
Yesterday, the number of infections globally passed the 1 million mark. More than 50 000 people have died from the coronavirus.
Over 208 000 people have recovered globally.
