This archive report was first published on 10 June 2020.
On June 8, 2020, South Africa marked a somber milestone in its fight against COVID-19, with the number of citizens who have lost their lives to the disease reaching 1,080.
President Cyril Ramaphosa expressed his condolences to all South Africans who have lost loved ones and wished them strength, courage, and hope in the days ahead.
Despite criticism that the government's hard lockdown has done more harm than good, Ramaphosa defended the policy, stating that it has allowed the country to build the capacity of its health system, adding thousands of hospital and quarantine beds, securing medical supplies and personal protective equipment, and putting training and protocols in place at healthcare facilities.
As the number of cases continues to increase, Ramaphosa emphasized that the government will take all necessary action to safeguard the lives of its citizens, including imposing a higher alert level in specific parts of the country if necessary.
"We should take this moment to remind ourselves that the coronavirus presents a real danger to all of us," Ramaphosa said. "While it may be an invisible enemy, it is nevertheless deadly."
