South Africa has recorded its first two Covid-19 related deaths in the Western Cape, as the number of confirmed infections have tipped the 1000 mark
National Health Minister Dr Zwelini Mkhize made the announcement in a statement on Friday.
“This morning, we wake South Africans up with sad news that we now have our first deaths resulting from COVID-19," he said.
“These two deaths occurred in the Western Cape. One at a Private Hospital and the other at a Public Hospital.
"We will give more details later on when we announce the latest confirmed COVID-19 cases, which have increased from yesterday’s number and have tipped the 1000 mark.”
Western Cape Premier Alan Winde on Friday confirmed that the patients are both female aged 28 and 48 years old.
The deaths come just hours after the 21-day nationwide lockdown had come into effect.