The negative impact of coronavirus will continue to be felt across all sectors of South African society as it continues to spread.

At a meeting of religious leaders in Pretoria on Thursday, President Cyril Ramaphosa said government was counting on the support of all quarters in driving home the messages of social distancing and hygiene control so that the directive reached every corner of the country.

“While we are gearing up to manage screening and detection on a large scale, our public health care system will struggle to cope with millions of people presenting themselves for testing without due cause. There are difficult times ahead,” said Ramaphosa.

“Over the next month, millions of our learners will be out of school and at home. For many this will mean the loss of a nutritious meal or a place of safety during the day. Parents who work will worry about who will be taking care of their children, especially in communities experiencing high levels of crime.”

The president said potential business closures or downscaling will lead to a climate of uncertainty in the workplace as people worry about their jobs or finding employment.

“Students whose classes have been suspended will be concerned about whether they will be able to complete the academic year or graduate. People in good health will be worried that they may have symptoms, and those with compromised immune systems or in ill-health will fear for their lives,” said Ramaphosa.

He said that in such times, millions of distressed South Africans would turn to religious leaders.

“It is to you that they will look for reassurance. And it is to you that we too turn to, to spread the messages I have outlined, and to inspire confidence among our people. Be the emissaries of hope you have always been, in giving strength to those flagging in spirit, comfort to the sick, and champions of social justice,” said Ramaphosa. 

“This disease knows no boundaries of race or class, but it is the poor and vulnerable who will need us most. The Thuma Mina moment is upon us, perhaps as never before. Let us keep the nation’s spirits up and remind them that we are doing everything within our means to keep them safe.”

Ramaphosa assured the faith leaders: “We are in this together, and it is by working together that we will prevail. We are, and forever will remain, our brother’s and sister’s keeper”.

The meeting took place at the Sefako M. Makgatho presidential guesthouse. 

It came a day after similar discussions with heads of political parties, at which they offered rare support for the ANC-led government's efforts to combat the virus.

As of Wednesday, 116 positive cases of Covid-19 had been recorded in South Africa.  

The latest update from the World Health Organisation (WHO), dated Wednesday, said there were 191 127 confirmed Covid-19 cases globally. 

The virus was first detected in Wuhan, China, in December.  

More than 7 800 people have lost their lives to the respiratory disease.