Co-chair of the Ministerial Advisory Committee on COVID-19, Professor Koleka Mlisana, says South Africa has recorded more than 8 000 COVID-19 infections in the latest reporting cycle.
This is almost double the earlier number of more than 4 200, reported by the health ministry last night.
South Africa is widely believed to be entering a third wave of the pandemic. Prof Mlisana says it is concerning that all provinces now are showing rises in coronavirus infections.
“Yes, we are all are very concerned about the third wave and we know that Gauteng is in the third wave so is the Free State, and North West. And actually, if we are looking at the numbers, all provinces now are showing increasing numbers. I was just looking at numbers today which would last 24-hours it is actually sad to say that that the number of cases has actually doubled that yesterday which is 24-hours ago. We had more than 8 000 cases in fact to be exact 8 800.”
The Department of Health reported 120 new fatalities last night, bringing the total to 57 183.
Below are the latest coronavirus stats:
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In the video below Prof Mlisana and Dr. Kgongwana discuss the increasing numbers of hospitalisations due to COVID-19
Earlier this week, Gauteng Premier David Makhura said while the third wave of COVID-19 infections may not be as deadly as the first and second waves, it will be more prolonged. Gauteng has the highest proportion of active coronavirus cases in the country, at 36%. Johannesburg, Krugersdorp, Vereeniging and Atteridgeville are the province’s current hotspots.
Premier Makhura said many residents are not complying with lockdown regulations.
“Over the past 3 weeks, we have had sustained increases. The spike is continuing, the third wave is slower but more sustained. It means, the whole of June, we are going to experience, unless something happens, including more enforcement.”
The Gauteng Provincial Command Council briefs the media on the coronavirus situation:
