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Hypertension, diabetes and heart disease are among the most common comorbidities associated with severe Covid-19 cases in the country, Health Minister Zweli Mkhize said on Saturday.
This as 123 deaths were recorded across the country.
“We have analyzed data from patients who have been hospitalized and found that, according to emerging evidence worldwide, hypertension, diabetes, and heart disease are the three most common comorbidities associated with severe Covid-19 disease. “he added.
Mkhize said other comorbidities, which are present in hospitalized patients, were chronic lung disease, asthma, chronic kidney disease, malignancy, and HIV, as well as cases of active and past tuberculosis.
“Therefore, I would like to urge our millions of South Africans over the age of 63 and those living with these conditions to take additional precautions as we ease the blockade.”
He reiterated the need for continued isolation from the public.
“I would also like to urge all South Africans to continue at home as much as possible, only venturing into essential tasks as we move through the stages of the gradual lifting of the blockade.”
The numbers so far
Mkhize said that as of Saturday night, the number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in South Africa was 6,336, adding that the tests conducted to date were 230,686, of which 13,164 were conducted in the last 24 hours.
“This is the largest number of tests conducted in a 24-hour cycle to date.”
Seven Covid-19-related deaths in the Western Cape and the Free State have brought the number to 123, while the number of recoveries is 2,549.
The Western Cape has become the epicenter of the virus, with the latest data indicating that it accounts for 56 of the 123 deaths across the country.
The province recorded 779 recoveries, but also led the nation with 2,700 confirmed cases, Mkhize said.
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