Over 10,000 Coronavirus cases hit South Africa in 24 hours as Nigeria’s numbers near 30,000

More than 10,000 new coronavirus cases have been recorded in South Africa, highest daily tally one day.

Daily tallies released by the health ministry showed 10,853 new confirmed coronavirus (COVID-19) cases, taking the cumulative tally since March when the virus first arrived in the country to 187,977.

The death toll stands at 3,026 after 74 new fatalities were recorded.

Health authorities have been expecting a surge in the coronavirus (COVID-19) cases after the gradual loosening of a strict lockdown that was imposed on March 27.

With the nation’s economy projected to shrink more than seven percent in 2020 as a result of the coronavirus pandemic — the worst slump in 90 years — the government is battling to strike a balance between saving lives and the economy.

“What we have been seeking to do is to balance… saving lives of our people and also preserving livelihoods, and it’s a delicate balance,” President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Friday.

Africa’s most economically developed country now has the highest number of coronavirus cases on the continent.

Meanwhile, Nigeria recorded 603 new Covid-19 cases on Saturday, bringing the total tally in the country to 28,167.

Out of the total figures, 11,462 have been discharged while 634 persons have died.

A state by state breakdown according to Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) for Saturday shows thus;

Lagos-135

Edo-87

FCT-73

Rivers-67

Delta-62

Ogun-47

Kaduna-20

Plateau-19

Osun-17

Ondo-16

Enugu-15

Oyo-15

Borno-13

Niger-6

Nasarawa-4

Kebbi-3

Kano-2

Sokoto-1

Abia-1

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