COVID-19 delta XBB.1.5

Transmission electron micrograph of a SARS-CoV-2 virus particle (UK B.1.1.7 variant), isolated from a patient sample – Photo: NIAID / Wikimedia Commons

COVID-19: SA records nearly 20 000 cases, positivity increases to 26,8%

South Africa recorded nearly 20 000 new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday. There are now 113 060 active cases in the country.

COVID-19 delta XBB.1.5

Transmission electron micrograph of a SARS-CoV-2 virus particle (UK B.1.1.7 variant), isolated from a patient sample – Photo: NIAID / Wikimedia Commons

South Africa recorded nearly 20 000 new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, 8 December, according to the National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD). The 73 911 tests conducted over the past 24 hours represent a positivity rate of 26,8 percent, up from yesterday’s 24,9 percent.

SA ADDS 19 842 NEW COVID-19 CASES

The 19 842 new COVID-19 cases detected in South Africa on Wednesday brings the total number of active cases in the country to 113 060. Unfortunately, 36 more people died of COVID-19-related complications, according to the NICD, bringing the death toll to 90 038.

There were 374 people admitted to hospital for COVID-19 treatment within the latest testing cycle. The 258 private and 407 public hospitals reporting to the NICD now have 4252 patients admitted.

“The proportion of positive new cases/total new tested today is 26.8% which is higher than yesterday (24.9%). The 7-day average is 24.6% today, which is higher than yesterday (23.2%). The 7-day moving average daily number of cases has increased,” said the NICD.

PROVINCIAL BREAKDOWN

The majority of the cases identified on Wednesday were found in Gauteng (59%), followed by KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape with 10 percent each.

Mpumalanga accounted for 6 percent, while the North West had 5 percent. Limpopo accounted for 4percent and the Eastern Cape and Free each accounted for 3 percent of the cases on the day.

The Northern Cape accounted for just 1 percent of the cases on Wednesday.

The list below shows the new COVID-19 cases identified by province and the bracketed figure represents the cases detected on the previous day:

  • Eastern Cape – 594 cases (390);
  • Free State – 657 cases (352);
  • Gauteng – 11 703 cases (8445);
  • KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) – 1989 cases (1396);
  • Limpopo – 858 cases (406);
  • Mpumalanga – 1103 cases (545);
  • North West – 904 cases (720);
  • Northern Cape – 135 cases (88);
  • Western Cape – 1899 cases (805); and
  • Unallocated – 0 cases.

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