Categories: Health

Retired nurse is first coronavirus death in Eastern Cape

The 66-year-old woman died at Livingstone Hospital in the early hours of Thursday after being in a coma for about a week, Eastern Cape Health MEC Sindiswa Gomba told the publication.

She is reported to have attended a funeral in KwaDwesi two weeks ago and was among the mourners who have since tested positive.

Nelson Mandela Bay’s mayoral committee member for infrastructure and engineering, Andile Lungisa, confirmed the death to News24.

Advertisement

The municipality would be disinfecting her property, he said.

Mourn

“Let’s just give the family time to mourn. We are sympathising with the family under this difficult period.”

Advertisement

The woman’s two children were in self-isolation, Lungisa said.

Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane, in an online video press conference on Thursday, said the municipality had recorded 30 positive Covid-19 cases, while East London had recorded 10.

The two metros are described as the province’s epicentres. Provincially, Covid-19 updates had shown a spike in numbers from the previous day, from 32 to 45 confirmed cases.

Advertisement

Mabuyane said many positive cases were linked to people gathering for funerals.

On Thursday night, President Cyril Ramaphosa confirmed 1 934 people across the country were infected. The death toll stands at 18.

The 21-day lockdown to curb the spread of the pandemic would also be extended by two weeks, he said.

Advertisement

For more news your way, download The Citizen’s app for iOS and Android.

For more news your way

Download our app and read this and other great stories on the move. Available for Android and iOS.

Published by
By News24 Wire
Read more on these topics: Coronavirus (Covid-19)