JOHANNESBURG - COVID-19 deaths have orphaned 150,000 South African children, according to a report from the Imperial College London.
The report says the number rises above 200,000 when you include children who have lost their primary or secondary caregiver, such as a grandparent.
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Unicef says support from extended family members and school systems is critical.
"The real concern is the toll of COVID, the toll of COVID on children and on households more broadly and it really is devastating because we know that from years of research that orphans suffer issues such as anxiety, depression and even anger can come out and that is why it is so important that they get the support that they need", said Unicef SA spokesperson, Toby Fricker.