S. Africa Records First Two COVID-19 Deaths, As Cases Surpass 1000

South Africa has recorded its first two deaths from coronavirus, the health ministry announced on Friday.

Health Minister, Zweli Mkhize confirmed the news in a statement, saying two people had died as a result of Covid-19.

“This morning, we wake South Africans up with sad news that we now have our first deaths resulting from Covid-19.

“These two deaths occurred in the Western Cape. One at a private hospital and the other at a public hospital,” Mkhize said in a statement.

“We will give more details later on,” he said.

Minister of @HealthZA Zweli Mkhize confirms first deaths due to #CoronaVirusSA #Covid19SA. More details will be provided later on, when the Minister announces the latest confirmed cases. https://t.co/aMUfReOya0 pic.twitter.com/9hMPtXLyom

— South African Government (@GovernmentZA) March 27, 2020

The health ministry also announced that by Friday morning, the number of positive coronavirus infections around the country had surpassed 1,000.