The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in South Africa has jumped to 65 736 by a further 3 809. South Africa has now recorded a total of 1 423 COVID-19 related deaths.
South Africa has a COVID-19 mortality rate of 2.2%.
In a statement, Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize has sent his condolences to the friends and loved ones of those that have lost their lives to the novel virus.
The Western Cape remains the province with the most confirmed cases of COVID-19, accounting for 61.8% of the country’s total, having recorded 40 605 infections. The province is followed by Gauteng with 9 897 new cases, accounting for 15.1% of SA’s total cases.
Dr Mkhize says 63 confirmed cases remain unaccounted for.
The 60-69 age group has recorded the most deaths, accounting for 387 (27.2%) of total fatalities. Only three infant deaths have so far been recorded.
Males account for 51.2% of total deaths, while females account for 48.7%.
A total of 1 087 887 tests have been conducted in the country so far, 27 462 of them conducted in the last 24-hour cycle.
South Africa has recorded 36 850 recoveries, which translates to a recovery rate of 56%. Currently, the country has 27 463 active cases.
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Western Cape Premier, Alan Winde, has welcomed the steps that the National Health Laboratory Service has put in place to reduce the of the province’s coronavirus (COVID-19) test results.
Winde says this comes after writing to President Cyril Ramaphosa and engaging Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize.
The Western Cape has 38 000 confirmed COVID-19 cases.
Alan Winde outlines the Western Cape’s targeted COVID-19 hotspot strategy:
Winde says the focus has been put on reducing the backlog from over 27 000 to around 3 700.
“We still have our newly adjusted policy in place where we are focusing the testing on hospitals, specifically the frontline workers and patients in hospitals, as well as vulnerable people in society. Hopefully, in the next few days, we’ll be able to also reassess that if we can see these backlog remains where it is. Once again, I really welcome this.”
We welcome the positive steps taken which have resulted in a considerable reduction of the COVID-19 testing backlog in the Western Cape. Read the full statement here: https://t.co/6wJ1je7Aaw pic.twitter.com/eATPnTn9nV
— Premier Alan Winde (@alanwinde) June 12, 2020
Western Cape likely to hit 100 000 COVID-19 infections
Winde said last week that the province is likely to hit the 100 000 mark of COVID-19 infections in the coming weeks. This as the province accounts for well over 60% of the national infection rate, with a significant number of people still in hospitals.
“We know that next week the number will be double to what they are this week. Every eight days, the numbers are doubling. We had 80 000, which was the projection and will probably go up to 120 000 because we have re-assessed our models. But we probably have one of the most robust public health systems in the province,” Winde said during an interview with Motsweding FM’s Current Affairs Show.
Alan Winde outlines how the Western Cape plans to deal with COVID-19 in the province:
