The number of confirmed cases of new coronavirus has jumped to nearly 4,000 in South Africa, which recorded its largest increase in patients in a day since the start of the pandemic, according to official figures Thursday.
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South Africa, where extremely strict containment has been in force since the end of March, has 3,953 confirmed cases of Covid-19, or 318 new patients, while the number of deaths has increased from 65 to 75. “We are seeing an increase constant number of positive cases , " said Minister of Health Zweli Mkhize in a statement, saying he had " a tough battle to fight. " "Even if these figures worry us, we are as satisfied as (...) the test campaign helps to detect more positive patients" , he added, however, referring to the vast screening campaign organized in the country.
"This allows us to take appropriate measures such as isolation, quarantine or hospitalization if necessary," he said. Some 28,000 medical personnel have been deployed in the country to test the population. To date, more than 143,000 tests have been carried out, according to the authorities. The World Health Organization (WHO) this week praised the strategy of South Africa, the most industrialized country on the continent, in its fight against the pandemic, a strategy "based on preparation, prevention, containment and enhanced surveillance ”.
A total of 2,820 soldiers are mobilized in the country to enforce confinement, which is difficult to enforce, particularly in overcrowded neighborhoods. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa plans to deploy more than 73,000 additional troops so that the rules are strictly enforced.