South Africa: Over 350,000 COVID-19 cases reported as of July 19 /update 22

Event

As of Sunday, July 19, South African authorities have recorded over 350,000 confirmed cases of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The current total now stands at 350,879 cases and 4948 associated fatalities. South Africa has the fifth-largest number of COVID-19 cases in the world behind Russia, India, Brazil, and the US.

South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa announced on Sunday, July 12, that a nighttime curfew and a ban on the sale of alcohol will be reintroduced due to a rise of COVID-19 cases in the country. As of Monday, July 13, a nationwide nighttime curfew is in place from 21:00 to 04:00 (local time). President Ramaphosa said that the alcohol ban aims to alleviate the pressure on hospitals by reducing alcohol-related injuries. Despite the reintroduction of certain restrictions, the country remains on the third level of its five-tier COVID-19 alert system. Hotels and guest houses have been permitted to reopen but are subject to government regulations, while social distancing restrictions remain in place for different provinces throughout the country, based on the number of COVID-19 cases in the area.

Further spread of the virus is expected in the near term.

Context

The first case of COVID-19 was reported on December 31 and the source of the outbreak has been linked to a wet market in Wuhan (China). Human-to-human and patient-to-medical staff transmission of the virus have been confirmed. Many of the associated fatalities have been due to pneumonia caused by the virus.

Cases of the virus have been confirmed in numerous countries and territories worldwide. Virus-screening and quarantining measures are being implemented at airports worldwide, as well as extensive travel restrictions. On March 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a pandemic.

Pneumonia symptoms include dry cough, chest pain, fever, and labored breathing. Pneumonia can be contagious and can be transmitted from human to human. The influenza virus, or the flu, is a common cause of viral pneumonia. 

Advice

Measures adopted by local authorities evolve quickly and are usually effective immediately. Depending on the evolution of the outbreak in other countries, authorities are likely to modify, at very short notice, the list of countries whose travelers are subject to border control measures or entry restrictions upon their arrival to the territory in question. It is advised to postpone nonessential travel due to the risk that travelers may be refused entry or be subject to quarantine upon their arrival or during their stay.

To reduce the general risk of transmission, travelers are advised to abide by the following measures:

• Frequently clean hands by using alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water.
• When coughing and sneezing, cover mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or tissue; if used, throw the tissue away immediately and wash hands.
• If experiencing a fever, cough, difficulty breathing, or any other symptoms suggestive of respiratory illness, including pneumonia, call emergency services before going to the doctor or hospital to prevent the potential spread of the disease.