South Africa scientists say up to 50,000 COVID-19 deaths possible

FILE PHOTO: A commuter reacts as she is sprayed with sanitiser via walk-through 'tunnels' before boarding public transport, as South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Wednesday he aims to further ease restrictions imposed to curb the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) spread in Soweto, South Africa, May 14, 2020. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - South Africa could see up to 50,000 coronavirus deaths and as many as 3 million infections by the end of the year as the southern hemisphere winter leads to a higher rate of infection, scientific models showed on Thursday.

The country already has the highest number of infections and deaths on the continent, with more than 18,000 identified cases and 339 deaths, but a national lockdown entering its sixth week had slowed infections.