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Health Minister Dr. Zweli Mkhize reported 9,445 new cases on Sunday night (December 20) and 152 new deaths in the past 24 hours, as the virus continues its second wave of infection.
It follows 10,939 new virus cases and 254 more deaths in the country on Saturday, the Health Department said.
“As of today, the total number of confirmed cases of # Covid-19 is 921,922, the total number of deaths is 24,691 and the total number of recoveries is 793,914, the minister said in a post on social media.
“Sadly, 152 more Covid-19-related deaths have been reported: Eastern Cape 105, Free State 5, Gauteng 1, Kwa-Zulu Natal 8, Mpumalanga 3 and Western Cape 30,” he said.
To date, the total number of confirmed # COVID-19 cases is 921,922, the total number of deaths is 24,691, and the total number of recoveries is 793,914. pic.twitter.com/GEpNXMyWTW
– Dr. Zweli Mkhize (@DrZweliMkhize) December 20, 2020
Mediclinic International said it is struggling with capacity constraints as the country experiences a second wave of coronavirus infections, Bloomberg reported.
Patients seeking care within Mediclinic hospitals are outpacing previous numbers during the first peak, Gerrit de Villiers, the group’s general manager, said in a statement. Demand in many intensive care and intensive care units has reached capacity, the company said.
Mediclinic said coronavirus patients had risen from fewer than 100 admissions to more than 500 in a month at its facilities across the Western Cape.
“This dramatic increase in numbers in the Western Cape has put great pressure on available healthcare resources, including the staff, equipment and beds available to provide intensive treatment to seriously ill patients,” he said. Elective or non-emergency surgery has been canceled.
Mediclinic said it is increasing the beds available to Covid-19 patients and reallocating resources.
The Western Cape noted an increase in new cases over the past week. “Over the past 7 days, Cape Metro has seen an 87% increase in Covid-19 cases, with Mitchells Plain registering a 101% increase and eastern sub-districts 97%, the Western Cape Government said.
🚨 Cape Metro coronavirus update:
Over the past 7 days, Cape Metro has seen an 87% increase in Covid-19 cases, with Mitchells Plain registering a 101% increase and the eastern sub-districts a 97% increase.
More details ⬇️
Share this information with people you know in the area. pic.twitter.com/o2bPlfx2Om– Governor of the Western Cape (@WesternCapeGov) December 19, 2020
Read: What happens when Covid-19 vaccines become available in South Africa?
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