This archive report was first published on 12 July 2020.
As of Saturday, July 12, 2020, South Africa's COVID-19 cases have doubled in just two weeks, with a total of 264,184 confirmed cases and 3,971 deaths, placing the country at 10th position on the global map of COVID-19 infections.
The country's public hospitals are struggling to cope with the surge in cases, with a higher proportion of deaths reported compared to private hospitals, according to the National Institute for Communicable Diseases.
Private businesses and individuals are buying up medical equipment, including oxygen concentrators, leaving public hospitals short on essential supplies.
South Africa's power utility has announced new electricity cuts, exacerbating the situation for the country's urban poor who live in shacks of scrap metal and wood.
More than 8,000 health workers across Africa have been infected, with half of them in South Africa, highlighting the need for better protection and compensation for frontline workers.
Kenya has also been affected, with several governors accused of installing intensive care unit equipment in their homes, sparking outrage among the public.
As the pandemic continues to spread, Africa has reported over 560,000 cases, with the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warning that the situation is reaching 'full speed.'
