An elderly man from Ladysmith in KwaZulu-Natal is the second coronavirus-positive person to die in South Africa.
Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize confirmed the death in statement on Sunday, 29 March. After returning home from a trip to the Kruger National Park, the 74-year-old male began displaying flu-like symptoms. The man was in ICU and on ventilation at a private hospital in Ladysmith. He was confirmed to be COVID-19 positive on March 27.
“It has been reported to us that the deceased patient had an underlying skin cancer condition (melanoma), which had already complicated. He presented with the following symptoms: respiratory distress, shortness of breath, cardiac failure, decreased saturation and his temperature was above 38 degrees,” said Mkhize.
Friends and family that were in contact with the man, as well as 14 health workers, including three specialist doctors, have since gone into self-isolation and are being monitored.
The official number of confirmed cases in South Africa is now at 1280, an increase of 93 from the previously reported cases.
The provincial breakdown is as follows:
Also read: https://www.capetownetc.com/news/khayelitsha-reports-positive-covid-19-case/
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