By GERALD IMRAY, Associated Press
CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) — About 12 million people in South Africa have “probably” been infected with the coronavirus, but that startlingly high number has not caused a similarly high death rate and might indicate a widespread “level of immunity,” the country’s health minister says.
More than 20% of South Africa’s population of 58 million have had the virus at some point, Dr. Zweli Mkhize estimated this week. He cited studies that found the presence of coronavirus antibodies in blood samples taken from parts of the population. The findings have prompted the government to launch a national study, he said.
“South Africa has seen the surge receding, and thus raises the question of the level of immunity that may already be existing in society,” he said.
Other studies have indicated that up to 40% of the population might be immune to the virus, Mkhize said. Some South African experts suggest that Africa’s most developed economy may be…
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