Cyril Ramaphosa announces a third coronavirus death in South Africa

COVID-19: President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced that the coronavirus has claimed another life in South Africa, bringing the death toll to three. He didn’t give details when he addressed the nation last night but reports say a third victim is a man from the Free State. Ramaphosa says South Africa currently has 1 326 confirmed cases of the virus. He announced that the Naspers Group has committed R 1.5 billion in emergency aid to the government’s response to the crisis. Ramaphosa also said that 10 000 field workers would be sent out to screen South Africans for the virus. South Africa has the highest number of cases on the African continent.

President Cyril Ramaphosa further says rating agency Moody’s decision to downgrade South Africa to junk will not diminish in any way the government’s response to the coronavirus pandemic. Ramaphosa said they are pushing ahead to implement the necessary health, economic and social measures to contain the spread of the virus. He thanked the majority of South Africans for adhering to the lockdown regulations but says the government is concerned about those who have not yet realized the seriousness of the coronavirus. He asked citizens not to think that this wasn’t their problem and would not affect them, because the virus affects rich and poor, young and old, white and black, and people living in cities and in rural areas. The President also thanked essential workers for being unsung heroes. PHOTO: (Supplied)