South Africa has 1st coronavirus deaths as lockdown begins

South Africa on Friday announced its first two deaths from the coronavirus as the country's cases rose above 1,000 and a three-week lockdown began.

The health minister in a statement said the deaths occurred in Western Cape province, home of Cape Town. South Africa has the most virus cases in Africa, where cases across the continent are now above 3,200.

South Africa’s military was in the streets helping to enforce measures that include bans on alcohol sales and dog-walking. Concerns are high about water supply and social distancing in crowded, low-income townships.

Security forces with megaphones screamed at people still on the streets shortly after midnight in downtown Johannesburg, the country’s commercial hub. Homeless people scattered, lost.

After daybreak, police and military forces surrounded a few dozen homeless people in downtown Johannesburg close to the main train station.

People are meant to go outside only to obtain essentials such as groceries or medical care or to provide essential services. Public transport with limits on passengers is operating only during the usual rush hours, but complaints quickly were reported of operators charging double the price.