Cape Town turns coronavirus hotspot for the African continent

Cape Town has become the epicentre of the coronavirus outbreak in South Africa and one of the hotspots of the African continent.

The popular tourist destination -- with high levels of community transmission -- has so far reported more than 12,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus, representing 63 per cent of South Africa's 19,000 cases and about 10 per cent of Africa's 95,000 cases.

Cape Town is expected to reach its peak of cases around the end of June, while the rest of South Africa is expected to peak in August or September. 

A study has predicted that South Africa may see between 40,000 to 45,000 deaths by November.

By year's end some 13 million of South Africa's 57 million people could be infected, their study said.

Cape Town could experience a shortage of ICU beds by the end of June, it added.

A second hotspot in the outbreak is the Tygerburg area near Cape Town International Airport.