South Africa has recorded 20 999 new coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of cases to 1 170 590.
The country has also recorded 441 new COVID-19 related fatalities, pushing the death toll to 31 809.
Most of the new deaths were recorded in the Kwa-Zulu Natal.
In a statement, Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize says: “Regrettably, we report 441 new COVID-19 related deaths: Eastern Cape 70, Free State 23, Gauteng 75, KwaZulu-Natal 132, Limpopo 11, Mpumalanga 7, Northern Cape 4 and Western Cape 119 which brings the total to 31 809 deaths.”
Recoveries now stand at 938 216, representing a recovery rate of 80.1%.
Latest SA statistics:
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Ray of hope
Earlier on Thursday, Mkhize announced that the country will be receiving its first batch of vaccine this month and another next month.
He says that priority will be given to the country’s more than one million health workers.
Mkhize was briefing Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Health on the roll out strategy of the COVID-19 vaccine.
“Today, I am pleased to announce that the institute of India has given us permission to make a public announcement in preparation for the roll out to 1.25 million health workers to both private and public health workers. South Africa will receive the first 1 000 000 doses of vaccine in January and another 500 000 in February our teams are fine tuning all the regulation processes.”
Mkhize briefs the Portfolio Committee on status of healthcare services:
