13 January 2021 - 16:29 The city of uMhlathuze in northern KZN has been inundated with burials due to Covid-19 related deaths. Image: Sebabatso Mosamo The first week of 2021 produced an all-time record number of deaths in SA, the Medical Research Council (MRC) said on Wednesday. The new record of 20,063 deaths from all causes smashed the previous week's total of 16,532 — itself a record — by 21.3%, according to the MRC weekly report on excess deaths. These are deaths in excess of the number predicted based on trends over the past two years. Weekly deaths in SA; highest weekly total _ever_ recorded. pic.twitter.com/MskPXur7UK— Tom Moultrie (@tomtom_m) January 13, 2021