Just under two months after the first case was confirmed in South Africa, the number of infections in the country has risen past the 3000 mark with 52 COVID-19 related deaths.
Minister of Health, Dr. Zweli Mkhize, emphasised the importance of adhering to lockdown regulations while revealing the country had recorded 251 new cases – marking South Africa’s highest single-day jump in infections. Bringing the number of patients in the country to 3034.
The minister announced the updated figures in a media statement on Saturday evening.
According to the statement, 900 000 people have been screened for testing and more than 108 000 people have been tested for the virus.
Mkhize continued to say that thousands of beds have already been made available for isolating those who are unable to quarantine at home.
While other countries around the world are scrambling for resources, Mkhize said South Africa has managed to buy some time before infections reach their peak.
Gauteng remains the epicentre of the disease in the country with 1101 infections, followed by the Western Cape, with more than 830 cases.
