#Covid19inSA: Eastern Cape authorities want to lock down a whole village
Eastern Cape health authorities say they are very concerned
over the rapid spread of the coronavirus amongst residents of the Majola
village near Port St Johns.
Dozens of people have contracted the virus, after the funeral held in March, since regarded as a cluster of infections in the country.
Eastern Cape health spokesperson, Sizwe Kupelo, does not want to confirm reports that as many as 40 people have so far tested positive for the virus.
“We have been sending a group of three teams that have been conducting tests. Screening as well as tested the villagers,” says Kupelo.
He says more than 780 people have been screened and tracing of possible contacts continue.
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Health Minister, Zweli Mkhize visited the area in the week and expressed his concern over the situation in the province.
On Friday, President Cyril Ramaphosa also told the media he plans on visiting the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal in the coming days to inspect their readiness for an expected increase in cases.
According to the latest figures released by the health ministry, the Eastern Cape did show the highest increase in coronavirus cases in 24 hours up to Friday.
The province showed 63 now cases, bringing the total in the Eastern Cape to 480.
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Eastern Cape shows the largest jump in new coronavirus cases
The Ministry of Health released the latest figures in a statement on Friday night. According to Health Minister, Zweli Mkhize, says Africa now has a total of 4 220 cases. A total of 63 new cases were reported in the Eastern Cape as of the 24 th of April, bringing the total in the province to 480 "Today we regrettably report 4 new deaths.