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By IOL Reporter 
8h ago
Cape Town – Health Minister Zweli Mkhize reported on Wednesday that 411 Covid-19-related deaths and 14,046 Covid-19 cases have been identified since the last report.
“Today we report, with concern, that 14,046 Covid-19 cases have been identified since the last report with a positivity rate of 26%. Therefore, the cumulative total of Covid-19 cases today is 954,258. This it indicates that the virus continues to spread exponentially, in fact the rate of spread is much faster than the first wave and we will exceed the peak of the first wave in the next few days, ”Mkhize said.
“We must warn South Africans that we will have to review current restrictions and consider new measures to ensure that this alarming rate of spread is curbed.”
He said that all provinces, with the exception of the Eastern Cape, continue to report increases in their cases with KwaZulu Natal, Western Cape and Gauteng registering the largest increases and comprising 81% of new cases today (30%, 28% and 23% respectively).
“Therefore, it will be important for us to assess the situation in these provinces, identify critical points in these areas (and in other provinces where they can be identified) and make recommendations based on these findings and the results of what has been implemented in the critical points that have been identified so far. “
Mkhize confirmed 411 additional Covid-19-related deaths: 101 in Eastern Cape, Free State 3, Gauteng 34, Kwa-Zulu Natal 90, Mpumalanga 6, North West 6 and Western Cape 171. This brings the total to 25,657 deaths.
A cumulative total of 6,269,776 tests have been performed with 54,048 tests performed since the last report, the health minister said.
Recoveries now amount to 811,372. Active cases now amount to 117,229.
“We can never emphasize enough the need for citizens to take all necessary precautions as we celebrate the holiday season and seek a respite from a difficult year. Unfortunately, Covid-19 is relentless, and therefore we cannot afford to be complacent at this stage.
“We urge all South Africans to adhere to the regulations and recommendations related to the National State of Disaster, avoid large gatherings and congested environments, ensure adequate ventilation in the places where they gather, and adhere carefully to non-pharmaceutical interventions: that is, wearing masks, social distancing and sanitation of hands and shared surfaces …
“We convey our condolences to the loved ones of the deceased and we thank the health workers who treated the deceased patients.”
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