March 5, 2020 marks the day South Africa records her first case of COVID-19.
The virus was highly feared since it’s outbreak in China which gradually spread across the globe, becoming a pandemic.
The fast spread of the virus made Governments of different countries enforce Lockdown, as it was claimed lives and there was little or no help to cure the virus back then.
SA Minister of Health, Zweli Mkhize became one of the most important social media user, as he gave a daily updates about the virus.
In December, 2020, South Africa was reported and confirmed to be the first African country to reach 1 million cases of the virus.
12:54 PM, March 5 2020, Zweli confirmed South Africa’s first case and it sent fear into the air.
“FIRST CASE OF COVID-19 CORONAVIRUS REPORTED IN SA Fellow South Africans This morning, Thursday March 5, the National Institute for Communicable Diseases confirmed that a suspected case of COVID-19 has tested positive.”
“The patient is a 38-year-old male who travelled to Italy with his wife. They were part of a group of 10 people and they arrived back in South Africa on March 1, 2020.”
“The patient consulted a private general practitioner on March 3, with symptoms of fever, headache, malaise, a sore throat and a cough. The practice nurse took swabs and delivered it to the lab.”
FIRST CASE OF COVID-19 CORONAVIRUS REPORTED IN SA
Fellow South Africans
This morning, Thursday March 5, the National Institute for Communicable Diseases confirmed that a suspected case of COVID-19 has tested positive.#COVID19
— Dr Zweli Mkhize (@DrZweliMkhize) March 5, 2020
The tracer team has been deployed to KwaZulu-Natal with epidemiologists and clinicians from NICD. The doctor has been self-isolated as well.#COVID19
— Dr Zweli Mkhize (@DrZweliMkhize) March 5, 2020
Within a month, the numbers of cases increased, and deaths were recorded. The country stayed at Level 5 lockdown and gradually moved till Level 1.
However, in 2021, the nation returned to Level 3, but Level 1 was declared some days ago.
The first batch of Covid019 vaccines named Oxford Astra Zeneca landed in SA in February 2021, but the roll out was suspended due to its inefficiency. Later, Johnson & Johnson vaccines were imported and the President alongside some health care workers received the vaccine.
During the intense Lockdown period, one of the things that kept the people moving was President Cyril Ramaphosa’s virtual family meeting.
Taking to Twitter on Friday morning, March 5, 2021, the Health Minister recounts the event that happened a year ago.
“Exactly a year ago I had the unenvious position of briefing the President that we had our first #COVID19 case.”
As we sit here today, our health workers throughout the country are being vaccinated. @MorningLiveSABC
— Dr Zweli Mkhize (@DrZweliMkhize) March 5, 2021
“As of today (4th of March, 2021), the total number of confirmed #COVID19 cases is 1 517 666 the total number of deaths is 50 462 the total number of recoveries is 1 436 101 and the total number of vaccines administered is 92 029.”
As of today, the total number of confirmed #COVID19 cases is 1 517 666 the total number of deaths is 50 462 the total number of recoveries is 1 436 101 and the total number of vaccines administered is 92 029. pic.twitter.com/wOEpiwAq87
— Dr Zweli Mkhize (@DrZweliMkhize) March 4, 2021
