As we mentioned earlier, South Africa is seeing an increase in coronavirus related deaths. However a report by the South African Medical Research Council suggests the toll could be much higher.

The country’s overall number of natural deaths in recent weeks increased by almost 60%, according to the council’s report.
The report's author Professor Debbie Bradshaw said “the weekly death reports have revealed a huge discrepancy between the country’s confirmed Covid-19 deaths and number of excess natural deaths".

The council’s CEO Glenda Gray said the rise could in part be attributed to Covid-related deaths, but also to other diseases like HIV, as health services are adjusted in order to fight coronavirus.

South Africa is the worst hit country in Africa. More than 390,000 cases have been confirmed and 5,900 people have died, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.