COVID-19 daily tracker

The COVID-19 daily tracker is an easy guide to daily developments of this pandemic, globally and for Sub-Saharan Africa and South Africa specifically. The PDF (see link in email body, top right) contains a series of informative graphs. 

• The global total of COVID-19 cases is 5,590,358, and 347,907 deaths have been confirmed. Recoveries from the virus have increased to 2,366,574.
• Confirmed cases in Africa now stand at 112,570; fatalities number 3,363. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has noted that infections on the continent have not grown at the same exponential rate as in other regions. In addition, Africa has not experienced the high mortality seen in some parts of the world. WHO suggested that Africa’s lower mortality rate may be the result of demography and other possible factors. It further noted that Africa is the youngest continent demographically, with over 60% of the population under the age of 25. Older adults have a higher risk of developing severe illness due to COVID-19. The WHO however cautioned against complacency, as healthcare systems on the continent are fragile.
• SA now has 23,615 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 481 deaths. This is an increase of 1,032 new cases; 11,917 people have recovered from the virus. The Western Cape has the highest number of confirmed cases at 15,396 (accounting for 65% of the total); 330 deaths have been reported. Gauteng has 2,993 cases (accounting for 13% of the total) and 30 deaths. Lockdown will be lowered to Level 3 on 1 June which will allow 8 million people to return to work. Under the new rules, limited alcohol sales for home use will be allowed, while the evening curfew will be dropped from next week.