It has been a very sad day in South Africa, two women have died due to Coronavirus, political parties have reacted to their deaths.
These two women are the first to have given in to the virus.
Not only have we lost our two women on Friday 27 March but it is also the very first day of a nationwide lockdown something we have to force ourselves to get used to.
President Cyril Ramaphosa, a week ago announced that all South Africans are to stay indoors, in their homes for the next 21 days, in efforts to try and control the spread of coronavirus.
Although the information on the two deaths of South Africans is not yet clear, there has been a small update from Western Cape premier Alan Winde, where he disclosed their ages and circumstances.
“Today, we woke up to the sad news that we, too, have seen our first casualties. A 28-year-old woman and 48-year-old woman both passed away this morning,” said Winde.
The 48-year-old woman’s condition deteriorated while in the Intensive Care Unit, which consumed her passing Thursday morning.
The 28-year-old was brought to the hospital yesterday and received emergency medical treatment. She also died this morning
“The clinical picture is consistent with COVID-19 but we are awaiting the test results to confirm this,” she said.
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“We mourn this loss as a province and as a country. Our thoughts are with the family and loved ones of the deceased. I would like to ask all our residents to join me in a moment of silence at midday today, as we mark the loss, and celebrate their lives,” added Winde.
The ANC meeting in the Western Cape Provincial Legislature said it is disheartened by the news that South Africa recorded its first two COVID-19 fatalities both of them from the Western Cape.
“We express our sincere condolences to their families and loved ones,” it said in a statement.
“The hard reality of the fatalities is that this virus is deadly, it does not discriminate in terms of color or class,” said ANC leader in the Western Cape Cameron Dugmore.
The toll in the number of people that have tested positive for coronavirus and the recent deaths shows that the disease is serious, the EFF said.
Health Minister Zweli Mkhize announced the total number of positive cases reaching the 1 000 marks on Friday.
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“The EFF notes with sadness the passing of two South Africans in the Western Cape who had tested positive for COVID-19,” it said in a statement.
The EFF pleaded with employers that request on remaining fully working during the lockdown, to refrain and close down their companies.
“The LGBTQI community must also be treated with care and respect during this difficult time. It is a well-known fact that the police in this country don’t have adequate training in dealing with gender-based violence and cases of rape,” it added.
The DA said the names of the two coronavirus victims have not yet been disclosed.
“This sad news is a reminder that this deadly virus is very real, and not something that happens far away to other people. It will spread through our communities-as it has done elsewhere in the world and all that stands in the way of significant loss of life is our collective effort as a nation. We dare not take the lockdown measures slightly,” said DA leader John Steenhuisen.
“To date, there is no cure and there is no vaccine. The only weapon we have in the fight against this virus is time. If we can slow down the infections by breaking the social contacts that spread the virus, we can buy our healthcare workers the precious time needed to treat those who require critical care,” he added.
Steenhuisen called pleaded with South African citizens to join the blue party as it noticed a minute’s silence at midday on Friday in honor of the two women who died due to coronavirus.
