COVID-19 in long-term care facilities in South Africa: No time for complacency

摘要

COVID-19 cases and deaths continue to increase daily across the world. By 24 August 2020, South Africa (SA) was ranked fifth globally in the number of positive cases and had reported 611 450 cases and 13 159 deaths.[1] The true number of deaths attributed to COVID-19 is likely to be higher than this. The South African Medical Research Council has been tracking mortality for decades in SA and estimated 36 587 excess deaths in persons aged 1 year by 11 August 2020, compared with deaths in previous years.