Age and gender with the most confirmed cases in SA

Photo: Adobe Stock

COVID-19 infections most prevalent among middle-aged women

There are rumours as to which age bracket has the most positive COVID-19 cases and then there are facts straight from the health department.

Age and gender with the most confirmed cases in SA

Photo: Adobe Stock

On Monday 20 April, Health Minister Zweli Mkhize announced the age and gender of confirmed COVID-19 cases in South Africa. 

Disclaimer: The initial table of COVID-19 confirmed cases by age and gender was incorrect. The Health Department released an updated table below with the correct information.

Based on data from the National Institute of Communicable Disease (NICD) as of 19 April, positive cases were allocated to age groups and gender. Here’s which groups were affected most.

COVID-19 cases by age group

The top three age groups with the highest amount of COVID-19 cases are: 

  • 31 – 40 years with 768 positive cases (mostly female); 
  • 21 – 30 years with 628 positive cases (mostly female); and
  • 41 – 50 years with 594 positive cases (mostly female).

The top three age brackets with the most amount of confirmed COVID-19 cases are mostly female. According to the latest data from the NICD, confirmed cases were mostly found in middle-aged women 31-40 years, however, it could change at the drop of a hat.

The rest are as follows: 

  • 51 – 60 years with 505 positive cases (mostly male); 
  • 61 – 70 years with 264 positive cases (mostly male); 
  • 11 – 20 years with 136 positive cases (mostly female); 
  • 71 – 80 years with 130 positive cases (mostly male); 
  • 1 – 10 years with 83 positive cases (mostly male); 
  • 81 – 90 years with 34 positive COVID-19 cases (mostly female);
  • 91 – 100 years with two positive cases (one male, one female);
  • Unknown age group with 16 positive cases. 

Gender with the most positive cases 

According to the table, South Africa’s COVID-19 cases are mostly female, making up 54.7% of all the confirmed cases. 

Male cases make up 44.8% of the total confirmed cases. 

However, confirmed cases in the age bracket 1 – 10 years are mostly male — 48 males and 34 females. The data also shows that 83 children below the age of 10 have tested positive for COVID-19. 

In the 81 – 90 age bracket, there are 23 female confirmed cases and only 11 male cases. 

The truth is, is that there isn’t really a pattern one can plan ahead for. COVID-19 affects all ages and does not discriminate. No matter your status, race, culture or job title, everyone needs to be extra careful and take the proper safety precautions. 

Latest COVID-19 cases in South Africa 

Health Minister Zweli Mkhize, on Monday 20 April, announced that the confirmed COVID-19 cases in South Africa have risen to 3 300

This is an increase of 142, as the total number of confirmed cases stood at 3 158 on Sunday 19 April. 

Mkhize also announced that the COVID-19 death toll rose to 58. This is an increase of four, as the total death toll stood at 54 on Sunday 19 April.