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As of Wednesday, December 16, the cumulative number of Covid-19 cases detected is 883,687 with 10,016 new cases identified, Health Minister Zweli Mkhize confirmed.
In a statement, Mkhize stressed that the case of South Africa was “growing exponentially”, with a positivity rate of 21%.
“This far exceeds the ideal positivity rate of 10%. Only today have we seen a significant increase in daily numbers, with the Western Cape continuing to lead and now breaking the 3000 mark for the first time this week. Another 7 provinces reported increases today, while the Eastern Cape reported a decrease in their new cases today, ”Mkhize said.
ALSO READ: Tshwane sees steady rise in hospital admissions for Covid-19
Meanwhile, 166 more Covid-19-related deaths were reported, 89 from the Eastern Cape, 9 from the Free State, 10 from Gauteng, 25 from Kwa-Zulu Natal (KZN), 2 from Limpopo and 31 from the Western Cape.
This brings the total number of Covid-19-related deaths to 23,827.
“We convey our condolences to the loved ones of the deceased and we thank the health workers who
he treated the deceased ”, added the minister.
Recoveries now amount to 774 585.
A cumulative total of 5968692 tests have been completed with 48118 new tests performed since
latest report.
Source: NICD
READ MORE: UPDATE: Gauteng NOT ‘officially’ in control of the second wave of Covid-19
These are the latest developments in the coronavirus crisis:
All together now
The 27 member countries of the European Union want to start vaccinations “the same day”, as pressure increases on the bloc to reach the United States and Great Britain.
UK vaccinates 137,000
More than 137,000 people in Britain have received a first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid vaccine in the week since inoculations began, the government announces.
Record toll in Germany
Germany records a record number of deaths on the first day of a new partial blockade.
Masked christmas
The World Health Organization in Europe urges families to wear face masks during upcoming Christmas family gatherings, warning of a “new resurgence” of Covid-19 in early 2021.
London pubs close
London closes theaters, pubs and restaurants and prohibits people from socializing with people outside of their home or support bubble, except outside in groups of no more than six.
Denmark closes stores
Denmark closes shopping malls and shops from Friday December 25 at the latest until January 3. Food stores and pharmacies will be exempt.
UK Christmas in
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is resisting calls to tighten coronavirus restrictions over Christmas.
1.6 million dead
The new coronavirus has killed at least 1,636,687 people since the outbreak emerged in China last December, according to a count from official sources compiled by AFP on Wednesday.
The United States is the most affected country with 303,867 deaths, followed by Brazil with 182,799, India with 144,096, Mexico with 115,099 and Italy with 65,857.
Latin American economy
The UN Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean drastically cuts its projection of a decline in the region’s economic growth for 2020 from 9.1 to 7.7 percent.
Pompeo in quarantine
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo tests negative but goes into quarantine after being exposed to a person who tested positive for Covid-19.
Tobacco-based vaccine
British cigarette maker BAT says its US biotechnology division Kentucky BioProcessing will launch trials of a possible coronavirus vaccine, developed with tobacco plant technology.
UA trace scheme
United Airlines announces a voluntary program to collect customer contact data on all flights to assist health officials in contact tracing in an effort to contain Covid-19.
Rugby champions game canceled
Champion Exeter’s European Champions Cup duel with Toulouse on Sunday is canceled after multiple players and staff tested positive for coronavirus.
READ NEXT: Western Cape concerned about the Covid-19 infection rate of healthcare workers
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