South Africans have been gripped in fear after coronavirus (COVID-19) started spreading in the country.
Watch: South Africans empty shelves at Makro amid coronavirus outbreak
In preparation for what may be an inevitable nationwide lockdown, many locals have rushed to supermarkets like Makro and Checkers to fill up trolleys with emergency supplies.
Latest SA updates: The most recent infection statistics
On Sunday, President Cyril Ramaphosa declared a state of national disaster, in response to the rapid rise in coronavirus infections since the first case was reported in early March.
South Africa has effectively placed a travel ban on foreign nationals from high-risk countries like Italy and the United States (US).
Moreover, gatherings of more than 100 people have been stricken off as illegal and schools have been asked to keep pupils at home during an extended-term break.
Based on coronavirus infection statistics that were published by the National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD) on Monday, there are currently 62 patients being treated for the virus in South Africa.
This number is expected to increase since Ramaphosa conceded to the reality of rapid increases in person-to-person transmissions of the virus.
In a statement issued by the Health Department, Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize revealed that only 15% of the total cases require hospital treatment.
“Our people need to understand that even if they do not see the disease as severe, they need to know that we need to take extra steps to make sure we prevent an escalation,” he said.
Gauteng has, thus far, recorded the most cases of the virus with 31 infections.
The Western Cape follows closely behind with 16, while KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), SA’s epicentre, slowed to 12. Limpopo and Mpumalanga have recorded one and two cases, respectively.
These provinces have yet to report a coronavirus infection:
- Free State
- Eastern Cape
- North West
- Northern Cape