SA REPORTS 24-HOUR RECORD OF 1, 160 NEW VIRUS CASES

JOHANNESBURG - South Africa on Sunday reported 1, 160 new coronavirus infections, the highest daily number since the first case was recorded in March, data released by the health ministry showed.

“As of today, the total number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in South Africa is 15, 515 with 1, 160 new cases identified in the last 24-hour cycle of testing,” said the ministry statement. The Western Cape province, popular with tourists, accounted for nearly 60 percent of the national numbers.

The numbers of deaths rose by three to 263 from Saturday.

Africa’s most industrialised economy has the highest numbers of infections in Africa, followed by Egypt which has so far recorded 11, 719 Covid-19 cases, including 612 deaths.

The country has been under a lockdown since March 27 - one of the world’s most stringent confinements which include a ban on the sale of cigarettes and alcohol. Meanwhile, Madagascar on Sunday reported the first death of a patient suffering from novel coronavirus nearly two months after it was first detected in the country, official statistics showed.

The Indian ocean island which has reported 304 cases has hit the headlines over a home-grown herbal concoction that President Andry Rajoelina claims can cure people infected with the virus.

Several African countries have ordered or expressed interest in the purported remedy, which is known as Covid- Organics. The tonic drink is derived from Artemisia - a plant with proven efficacy in malaria treatment - and other indigenous herbs.

But the World Health Organisation has warned against “adopting a product that has not been taken through tests to see its efficacy”

- VANGUARD / AFP.