Huge rise in Delta variant cases in S Africa

June 28, 2021 10:31

South Africa has tightened the COVID-19 restrictions and moved to level 4 of lockdown procedures, including a longer curfew and ban on all gatherings, amid an exponential rise in infections and deaths attributed largely to the Delta variant of the coronavirus.

President Cyril Ramaphosa in a national broadcast on Sunday announced that the new measures would go into effect from midnight of June 27 for a fortnight, after which it will be reviewed.

Shortly before the president's address, the Health Ministry announced that in the preceding 24 hours, 15,036 new cases and 122 deaths were reported from complications caused by COVID-19.

The economic hub of Gauteng province will have additional restrictions as it is currently accounting for over 60 per cent of the infections. Travel in and out of the province is now prohibited except for business purposes or for returning home to and from the province.

The Delta variant of COVID-19, identified in at least 85 countries and first detected in India, is likely responsible for the exponentially rising daily number of virus cases in Gauteng.

The Level Four restrictions include a ban on all gatherings, whether indoors or outdoors, including for political, cultural, social and religious purposes. The only exceptions are funerals, which are restricted to 50 people subject to the health protocols of masks and social distancing. A longer curfew will be in place from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m. -- PTI

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