South Africa records highest covid-19 cases in 24hrs

0
465
A researcher at Protein Sciences moves a vial in a lab, Thursday, March 12, 2020, in Meriden, Conn. The biotech company is currently researching a vaccine for COVID-19. For most people, the new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia. The vast majority of people recover from the new virus. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)

South Africa has recorded its highest-ever single-day increase in Covid-19 cases.

The health ministry said there were 13,674 infections in the past 24 hours from the highest number of tests done in a single day in the country.

Nearly half of the new Covid-19 cases in South Africa, 6,531, were recorded in the economic hub Gauteng, which has become the epicentre of the virus.

So far 3,720 people have died and that number is expected to rise as the country heads towards the infection peak in the next few months.

While the disease is beginning to spread quickly here – the recovery rate is still around 47%, experts say.

READ ALSO: South Africa: Country prepares 1.5 million graves for yet-to-die covid-19 victims

Prof Salim Abdool Karim, who chairs the government’s Covid-19 advisory committee, says South Africans will need to get used to living with the virus – and keep taking the necessary precautions until a treatment has been found.

He said there are currently 130 different vaccines trials globally, including one that started in South Africa two weeks ago.

The country has been under lock down for more than three months – but some industries have reopened in the last few weeks, in a bid to protect jobs and the economy.

BBC