Earlier on Friday, Health Minister Zweli Mkhize announced that two people in the Western Cape had become the first Covid-19 fatalities.

Until now, little was known about the two women, but details of the pair have started to trickle in.

Western Cape Premier Alan Winde says the deaths have been a sobering reality.

“Today, we woke up to the sad news that we, too, have seen our first casualties.”

The two women died at separate hospitals in the province, one at a private facility and the other in a state-run hospital.

“The 48-year-old woman’s condition worsened while in ICU, and she passed away this morning. The 28-year-old was admitted to hospital yesterday and received emergency healthcare. She also passed away this morning,” Winde said in a statement.

“The clinical picture is consistent with Covid-19, but we are awaiting the test results to confirm this.”

The number of cases in the country has topped 1000 with the Western Cape recording the second highest rate of infection.

Reacting to the deaths, Democratic Alliance (DA) interim leader John Steenhuisen called on South Africans not to take lightly the 21-day lockdown period.

“If ever there was a reason to reinforce how important it is that over the next 21 days that people abide by the regulations and stay indoors so we can flatten the curve and spot the spread, then this must be it,” said Steenhuisen.

“This must serve to focus our minds just how serious this Covid-19 outbreak is and just what a threat it presents to our nation, to our economy and our country.”

Mkhize is expected to address the nation at 14:00 on Friday. 

Jacaranda FM