Coronavirus: South Africa reports first deaths as lockdown begins

South Africa has announced its first deaths from Coronavirus infection, and said cases there have passed the 1,000 mark.

“This morning, we South Africans woke up with sad news that we now have our first deaths resulting from COVID-19,” the Health Ministry said on Friday.

Both deaths took place in hospitals in the southern province of Western Cape.

Security forces have begun enforcing a three-week nationwide lockdown in an effort to stem the spread of the virus.

All but essential movement is forbidden and both the army and the police are enforcing the measures.

Ahead of the midnight deadline there were long queues outside supermarkets as people stocked up on essentials.

How is South Africa fighting the virus?

Late on Thursday, President Cyril Ramaphosa visited soldiers before they were deployed from a base in the Soweto township of Johannesburg.

“I send you out to go and defend our people against coronavirus,” he said, wearing a camouflage uniform.

“This is unprecedented, not only in our democracy but also in the history of our country, that we will have a lockdown for 21 days to go out and wage war against an invisible enemy, coronavirus.”

On Friday morning, however, local media showed pictures of busy streets and queues outside supermarkets in the townships – where poverty and the volume of people make social distancing difficult.

A day earlier, heavy traffic was reported on the main roads out of Johannesburg, despite a government appeal not to go on long journeys.

Thousands of people thronged bus stations aiming to escape the capital and stay with family in rural areas, raising fears that they could take the virus to older relatives who are retired in farms and villages.

Under the terms, food shops are allowed to stay open, but alcohol sales are banned – and Police Minister Bheki Cele urged South Africans to stay sober during the lockdown. Jogging and dog walking are also prohibited.

The authorities have warned that anyone violating the rules faces six months’ imprisonment or a heavy fine.

“If people are not complying, they (the military) may be forced to take extraordinary measures,” Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula warned.