Daily Covid-19 update: SA breaches 14,000 death mark

South Africa has passed another grim milestone in the coronavirus pandemic with the total number of confirmed deaths linked to Covid-19 now standing at 14,028.

In a statement health minister Zweli Mkhize announced that 2,505 new, confirmed cases have also been added to the tally, brining the country’s total to 625,056. Recoveries stood at 538,604, or 86%.

In the 24-hour reported period to Sunday evening, 47 more deaths were recorded. Mpumalanga accounted for 11, the Free State 3, the Western Cape and Eastern Cape each 7, KwaZulu-Natal 3, and Gauteng 16.

Also since the last report, 21,902 tests were conducted bringing that total to 3,674,872.

Here are the latest developments in the coronavirus crisis:

– Grim new world record –

India sets a coronavirus record, reporting 78,761 new infections in 24 hours — the world’s highest single-day rise — even as the country continues to open up the economy.

In his regular monthly radio address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi does not comment on the milestone but calls on Indians to observe health safety measures.

– More than 843,000 dead –

The pandemic has killed at least 843,778 people worldwide since surfacing in China late last year, according to a tally from official sources compiled by AFP at 1930 GMT Sunday.

More than 25 million cases have been registered.

The United States has recorded the highest number of deaths with 182,808, followed by Brazil with 120,462, Mexico with 63,819, India with 63,498 and Britain with 41,499 fatalities.

– ‘Attack on democracy’ –

Germany’s President Frank-Walter Steinmeier condemns an incident in which protesters tried to storm the Reichstag parliament building as an “unacceptable attack on the heart of our democracy”.

Several hundred people protesting coronavirus restrictions broke through barriers and a police cordon to climb the steps leading to the entrance to the Reichstag late on Saturday, before being stopped by police.

– Nigerian students to return to class –

Universities and other institutions of higher learning in Lagos are to welcome students back from September 14.

Elementary and high schools are to reopen on September 21, “depending on sanitary conditions”.

– US Open player tests positive –

French tennis player Benoit Paire is removed from the US Open men’s draw after the Grand Slam tournament says an unidentified player has tested positive for the virus.

French sports daily L’Equipe reported earlier that world number 22 Paire had tested positive in New York.

– Messi misses test –

Lionel Messi has missed his virus test at Barcelona’s training ground, club sources confirm, raising the possibility that the football superstar will boycott pre-season to force a transfer from the Spanish club.

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