COVID-19: 298 more people die

The death toll from the COVID-19 pandemic continues to increase, with 298 more people succumbing to the deadly virus, which brings the death toll to 7 067.

There are now 452 529 confirmed COVID-19 cases in South Africa after 7 120 new infections were recorded on Monday, 27 July 2020.
Of the additional fatalities, 91 are from the Free State, 77 from the Eastern Cape, 61 from Gauteng, 36 from Western Cape, 13 from Mpumalanga, 11 from the North West and nine from KwaZulu-Natal, Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize has said.

“We convey our condolences to the loved ones of the departed and thank the healthcare workers who treated the deceased”, Mkhize added.

Gauteng remains the epicentre with 162 319 recorded infections since the outbreak, followed by the Western Cape (92 600), Eastern Cape (74 231) and KwaZulu-Natal (65 982).

The North West has 17 604 cases, Free State (17 222), Mpumalanga (11 386), Limpopo (7 260) and Northern Cape (3 875).

The number of those who have recovered stands at 274 925, which translates to a recovery rate of 61%.

Meanwhile, 2 802 211 test have been conducted, 28 433 of which were done since the last report.

According to the World Health Organisation, there are 16 114 449 cases and 646 641 deaths worldwide.

In the same vein, four healthcare workers in the North West have died from the coronavirus.
“COVID-19 has claimed the lives of the much-needed health workforce over the past week. This happens at a time when the province is experiencing a surge of positive COVID-19 cases,” Health MEC Madoda Sambatha said.

Dr Lomalisa Litenye was a well-known a healthcare practitioner in Mahikeng, who specialised as a gynaecologist and obstetrician, while Dr Florah Makama was a clinical psychologist.

The two were based in Mahikeng and had endeared themselves to the residents of the province’s capital city.

The two nurses were the employees of the Department of Health, one based at Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District and the other in the Ngaka Modiri Molema District.