Own Correspondent|President Cyril Ramaphosa has confirmed that the Covid-19 death toll has risen to three in South Africa.

Briefing the media in a televised address on Monday evening, Ramaphosa also announced that the number of those who have tested positive for the virus has climbed to over 1300.

“As a nation, we were deeply saddened to learn that, in the last few days, three South Africans have died from the disease. The number of infections continues to grow and there are now 1,326 confirmed coronavirus cases in South Africa.”

He has reiterated calls for South Africans to stay at home for the next 17 days.

Ramaphosa said in the coming days, government will be rolling out a screening, testing, tracing and medical management programme.

“Around 10,000 field workers will be visiting homes in villages, towns and cities to screen residents for COVID-19 symptoms. People with symptoms will be referred to local clinics or mobile clinics for testing.”

“People who are infected with coronavirus, but who have no or moderate symptoms will remain in isolation at home or at a facility provided by government and those with severe symptoms will be transferred to hospitals,” he added.