South Africa records over 1,000 COVID-19 deaths, more than 50,000 cases

South Africa’s coronavirus deaths passed 1,000 on Monday and infections spiked to over 50,000 just a week after the continent’s worst-hit country further eased lockdown restrictions, official statistics showed.

The number of detected infections was 50,879 — the worst in Africa.

However, South Africa ranks second in terms of deaths at 1,080 after Egypt.

The continent’s most advanced economy has since May been gradually easing tight restrictions imposed in March.