“We know for sure that Nigerian medical practitioners are at the forefront of fighting the epidemic across South Africa’s health facilities, therefore they may become victims should the epidemic outweigh their control”
NELSPRUIT-As the deadly Coronavirus poses global economic meltdown and fear, report says South Africa has recorded 704 cases, all are returnees from the high risk countries. This was made known in an interview with a Nigerian resident in South Africa (RSA), George Obi, who interacted with Afrikanwatch Network last night via Whatsapp from Nelspruit, Mpumalanga said that the government RSA has put measures in place, stating that as at yesterday, the today cases were 704.
“Currently, there are 704 cases of people who have tested positive with Covid-19. There are no deaths yet but two people are in intensive care Unit, (ICU) as a result of the virus.
Gauteng Province is the epicenter for the virus in South Africa. Western Cape is the second. Understandably, these provinces are the economic hub of the country. Indeed, the government has allocated various assistance for businesses and vulnerable individuals. There is a special website for all SMMEs to apply for financial and non-financial assistance. There is over 5 billion Rands in assistance from the government. Individuals who earn below a certain threshold have been given tax cuts for 4 months. We hope to see how these funds will be distributed and utilized; however the government has done well in supporting its citizens.
Numbers of Province on record-Coronavirus as of yesterday: Gauteng-319, Western Cape-183, KwaZulu-Natal-91, Free State-30, North West-5, Mpumalanga-8.
Asked if any Nigerian living in South Africa has been effected, Obi stressed, “Honestly, I don’t think so. So far, majority of the cases are people who returned from Europe, Asia and America. From the onset, the demography suggested that most cases are Caucasians. However, the government doesn’t reveal the identity of affected individuals. We know for sure that Nigerian medical practitioners are at the forefront of fighting the epidemic across South Africa’s health facilities, therefore they may become victims should the epidemic outweigh their control.
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