For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Sane Dhlamini.

Making headlines: Gauteng Premier David Makhura tests positive for Covid-19, Mkhize announces 13 674 new cases as Covid-19 count reaches 238 339 and, Ghana health workers warn of potential Covid-19 calamity

Gauteng Premier David Makhura tests positive for Covid-19

Gauteng Premier David Makhura on Friday announced that he will self-quarantine for two weeks after testing positive for the novel coronavirus. 

The Premier is experiencing mild symptoms of the virus and will follow World Health Organisation protocols by self-isolating and working from home.

As Gauteng becomes the epicentre of the virus in South Africa with 81 546 cases, Gauteng MECs will give an update later today, while the Provincial Executive Council and Provincial Covid-19 Command Council continue to respond to the virus.

Mkhize announces 13 674 new cases as Covid-19 count reaches 238 339

Health Minister Zweli Mkhize said the total number of confirmed coronavirus cases in South Africa is 238 339, with 13 674 new cases identified since Wednesday.

Gauteng, with 81 546 confirmed Covid-19 cases and reporting 6 531 new infections in a day, has taken the lead from Western Cape with 74 815 cases and reporting 1 523 new cases.

Testing data shows that 56 170 new tests were completed since the last report.

Mkhize said we have reached a milestone of having completed over two million tests for Coronavirus

Ghana health workers warn of potential Covid-19 calamity

The coronavirus epidemic risks overwhelming Ghana's health sector if the government does not take urgent action such as guaranteeing health workers have sufficient protective gear, national medical groups have said.

As of the end of June, 779 health workers had contracted Covid-19 and many more were unable to work as they waited for test results in isolation, jeopardising care for the growing number of patients requiring hospital care, four associations said.

They say the current state of affairs has the potential to over-stretch the already fragile health system.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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