There has been cause for optimism from the National Department of Health (NDoH) this week in its fight to stop the spread of COVID-19 in South Africa, and while there has been a distinct drop in the number of new infections, the latest figures show a rise in deaths.
This as 345 fatalities have been recorded in the past 24 hours, bringing the total to date to 8 884.
As it routinely does, the NDoH has provided a breakdown per province in terms of the new fatalities. To that end 116 are from Gauteng, 97 from the Western Cape, 89 from KwaZulu-Natal and 43 from the Eastern Cape.
Unfortunately two children make up the 345 fatalities, with both happening in KZN, being a three-month old infant and four-year old.
Shifting to the number of COVID-19 cases in the country, 4 456 have been reported in the past 24 hours. This brings the country’s total number of infections to 521 318.
As has been the case ever since the second wave hit SA following a drop to lockdown level 3, the hardest-hit provinces are Gauteng with 183 090 cases, Western Cape 97 261, KwaZulu-Natal 85 986 and Eastern Cape 79 844.
While the number of infections has slowed, it continues to rise, but Health Minister Zweli Mkhize is buoyant over the recovery rate being reported.
“The number of recoveries currently stands at 363 751 which translates to a recovery rate of 69.8%,” he explained.
The full breakdown of COVID-19 in South Africa is as follows:
Province | Confirmed Cases | Recoveries | Active cases | Deaths |
Western Cape | 97 261 | 82 447 | 14 814 | 3 245 |
Eastern Cape | 79 844 | 71 420 | 8 424 | 1 832 |
Northern Cape | 5 379 | 2 388 | 2 991 | 36 |
Free State | 24 333 | 10 582 | 13 751 | 205 |
KwaZulu-Natal | 85 986 | 44 664 | 41 322 | 976 |
North West | 20 270 | 9 206 | 11 064 | 109 |
Mpumalanga | 15 716 | 10 736 | 4 980 | 123 |
Gauteng | 183 090 | 126 784 | 56 306 | 2 268 |
Limpopo | 9 389 | 5 524 | 3 865 | 90 |
Unknown | 50 | |||
TOTAL | 521 318 | 363 751 | 157 567 | 8 884 |
As always, in order to stay up to date with the spread of COVID-19 in South Africa and abroad, we advise the following materials and platforms:
- Dr Zweli Mkhize on Twitter
- COVID-19 Connect on WhatsApp – add 0600 123 456 as a contact and say “Hi”.
- World Health Organisation
- SA Coronavirus website
- SA Government
- SA Presidency
[Image – Photo by Martin Sanchez on Unsplash]