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The country, like many other nations in the world, is immersed in a second wave of pandemic.
FILE: A Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) nurse (C) performs a COVID-19 coronavirus test during a Ministry of Health screening and testing at the Wolhuter men’s shelter in Johannesburg’s Jeppestown district on 14 May 2020. Image: AFP
JOHANNESBURG – South Africa has recorded 10,939 new COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours, higher than any other daily increase since August.
The country, like many other nations in the world, is immersed in a second wave of pandemic.
Health systems in regions like the Eastern Cape and some in the Western Cape are seeing a notable increase in hospital admissions amid warnings from health experts that the resurgence is being driven by a new variant of the virus.
The new infections have brought the country’s total number of cases to more than 912,000.
# COVID-19 Statistics in SA as of December 19.
Use the COVID Alert SA app to protect yourself, your loved ones, and your community. Start using this privacy-preserving app today! Add your phone to the fight! Download the Covid Alert SA app now! https://t.co/8YKEqaiiRF pic.twitter.com/CfkCUpbn0q
Dr. Zweli Mkhize (@DrZweliMkhize) December 19, 2020
To date, the total number of confirmed # COVID-19 cases is 912,477, the total number of deaths is 24,539, and the total number of recoveries is 787,782. pic.twitter.com/MQXYSw8DfK
Dr. Zweli Mkhize (@DrZweliMkhize) December 19, 2020
There has also been a large increase in the number of deaths. 254 more people succumbed to the virus in the past 24 hours, with more than half of those new deaths recorded in the Eastern Cape and Western Cape.
The additional deaths now put South Africa’s national COVID-19 death toll at 24,539, which is by far the highest number on the continent.
READ: COVID-19 virus variant means young South Africans are also at risk of dying – Mkhize
This comes amid another agonizing milestone in the global fight against the virus, as the World Health Organization announced that Saturday was the deadliest day on record, with 13,000 people losing their lives to the disease.
Global infections have also passed the 75 million mark.
Meanwhile, Gauteng authorities said they will continue to monitor the province’s compliance with measures aimed at containing the spread of the virus where they identify risks.
The provincial government has once again raised the alarm about an accelerating infection rate as the country enters holiday mode.
With Gauteng identified as one of the four hotspot provinces, Sports and Arts Mec Mbali Hlophe has pleaded with event organizers not to host festivals, sports tournaments and community gatherings during this period.
Hlophe said these meetings could easily turn into wide-spread events: “While we understand the mask and fatigue of COVUD-19 that has begun, we kindly request everyone to remain safe and observe the restrictions that are in place. The second wave is proving to be tougher and more deadly, as seen globally. It is in this sense that we must continue to flatten the curve. Our collective priority must be to spend the holiday season with our families and not bury them. “
STUDYING NEW VARIANT
The national Health Department said it is working to learn more about the new variant of the disease.
READ MORE: SA scientists identify covid-19 variant, announces Mkhize
The South African Medical Association said the mutation was more communicable than the first and can cause more serious illness.
The association’s president, Dr. Angelique Coetzee, warned against complacency among young South Africans, saying they are now at the same risk of dying from COVID-19, due to this new variant.
“Where in the past we said that older people are predominantly the carriers of this virus, we now urge young people to understand that this second wave, they are now also being attacked by the virus.”
WATCH: Expect a Faster Rise in Second Wave COVID-19 Cases – Mkhize
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