TSHWANE, SOUTH AFRICA – JULY 10: Minister of Health Dr Zweli Mkhize inside Tshwane District Hospital. He, together with, Gauteng Health MEC Dr Bandile Masuku visit Tshwane District Hospital to monitor the level of preparedness as the Province has become the epicentre for COVID-19 on July 10, 2020 in Tshwane, South Africa. According to a media release, the visit by the MEC and Minister Mkhize also forms part of supporting the staff that is working tirelessly during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo by Gallo Images/Alet Pretorius)
COVID-19 latest: Death toll shoots past 5 000, as cases rise by 13 449
South Africa continues to consolidate its spot among the hardest-hit countries in the world.
TSHWANE, SOUTH AFRICA – JULY 10: Minister of Health Dr Zweli Mkhize inside Tshwane District Hospital. He, together with, Gauteng Health MEC Dr Bandile Masuku visit Tshwane District Hospital to monitor the level of preparedness as the Province has become the epicentre for COVID-19 on July 10, 2020 in Tshwane, South Africa. According to a media release, the visit by the MEC and Minister Mkhize also forms part of supporting the staff that is working tirelessly during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo by Gallo Images/Alet Pretorius)
South Africa reported another grim milestone on Sunday, with the number of COVID-19 deaths now at over 5 000.
According to the latest update issued out by the health department, 85 more people have died due to complications associated with the coronavirus. This brings the overall death toll to 5 033 since the first fatality was recorded in March.
The number of total cases now stands at 364 328, after 13 449 new cases were confirmed on Sunday.
A total of 2 471 747 tests have been conducted, with 191 059 of the people diagnosed with the coronavirus now recovered.
LATEST COVID-19 CASES BY PROVINCE AS OF SUNDAY 19 JULY
The following confirmed COVID-19 cases have been detected in each province as of Sunday:
- Eastern Cape – 63 181 cases
- Free State – 9 993 cases;
- Gauteng – 133 617 cases;
- KwaZulu-Natal – 43 215 cases;
- Limpopo – 4 928 cases;
- Mpumalanga – 7 129 cases;
- North West – 14 006 cases;
- Northern Cape – 2 266 cases; and
- Western Cape – 85 926 cases
- Unknown – 67 cases.
This comes to a total of 364 328 confirmed cases.
COVID-19 DEATH TOLL BY PROVINCE AS OF SUNDAY
The following confirmed COVID-19-related deaths have been detected in each province as of Sunday:
- Eastern Cape – 825 deaths;
- Free State – 47 deaths;
- Gauteng – 986 deaths;
- KwaZulu-Natal – 416 deaths;
- Limpopo – 33 deaths;
- Mpumalanga – 44 deaths;
- North West – 48 deaths;
- Northern Cape – 15 deaths;
- Western Cape – 2 619 deaths.
LATEST RECOVERIES BY PROVINCE
Mkhize announced the latest COVID-19 recoveries as follows:
- Eastern Cape – 44 317 recoveries;
- Free State – 1 033 recoveries;
- Gauteng – 58 512 recoveries;
- KwaZulu-Natal – 11 055 recoveries;
- Limpopo – 2 042 recoveries;
- Mpumalanga – 1 958 recoveries;
- North West – 2 890 recoveries;
- Northern Cape – 772 recoveries; and
- Western Cape – 68 410 recoveries.
#COVID19 Statistics in SA as at 19 July. pic.twitter.com/oU8SVMnnp3
— Dr Zweli Mkhize (@DrZweliMkhize) July 19, 2020
Mkhize pleads with South Africans
South Africa has been under lockdown since March, and is expected to hit peak COVID-19 infection rate in the coming months.
Over the past few weeks, the daily infection rate has been hovering at over 10 000 cases.
In a statement issued out on Saturday, Mkhize pleaded with South Africans to adhere to lockdown regulations to minimise the further spread of the coronavirus.
“We are extremely concerned that fatigue seems to have set in and South Africans are letting down their guard at a time when the spread of infection is surging,” Mkhize said.
“We see poor or no social distancing in communities. Masks are being abandoned or not worn properly and there is laxity setting in around frequent hand-washing.
“This will directly influence the rise in numbers in the next two weeks.”
Dr Zweli Mkhize, Minister of Health
The latest figures consolidate South Africa’s spot among the heaviest-affected countries in the world.
Globally, over 14 million people have been infected with COVID-19, with around 100 000 new cases recorded daily.
More than 600 000 people have succumbed to complications associated with the coronavirus worldwide.
