The death toll for coronavirus has hit 339, the health department says.
The department has recorded the first neonatal mortality related to Covid-19 – a 2-day-old baby that was born prematurely and therefore had lung difficulties which required ventilation support immediately after birth.
The mother had tested positive for Covid-19 and the child subsequently tested positive.
“It is important to appreciate the complexities of the underlying conditionof prematurity.We extend a special word of comfort to the mother of this child and salute the neonatologists, nurses and all allied and technical personnel who had the difficult task of caring for theneonate to the end,” the department said.
The number of cases is now at 18 003 – an increase of 803.
The Western Cape has the bulk of the cases, with 11 262. The province is followed by Gauteng with 2 400, and the Eastern Cape with 2 215.
#COVID19SouthAfrica Statistics as at 20 May 2020. pic.twitter.com/2WM5oCnqW2
— Zweli Mkhize (@DrZweliMkhize) May 20, 2020
As of today, the total number of confirmed #COVID19 cases in South Africa is 18003, the total number of deaths is 339 and the total number of recoveries is 8950. pic.twitter.com/7s0UN009k5
— Zweli Mkhize (@DrZweliMkhize) May 20, 2020
