South Africa coronavirus cases exceed 1,000, first two dead reported

A soldier stands guard as he is joined by police officers to check vehicles as a 21-day lockdown aimed at limiting the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) takes effect in Cape Town, South Africa, March 27,2020.REUTERS/Mike Hutchings

Cases of coronavirus in South Africa passed 1,000 on Friday, the health ministry said, while also reporting its first two deaths on the first day of a three-week, nationwide lockdown.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the lockdown, which saw Africa’s most industrialised economy largely shudder to a halt overnight, earlier this week.