As we begin another week under adjusted level 3 lockdown, it is time to reflect on the past 24 hours with regard to COVID-19 in South Africa. To that, the National Department of Health’s (NDoH) latest report says 2 435 new cases have been reported over the past 24 hours.

How that new daily number develops over the coming week remains to be seen, but the figure is significantly less than we’ve seen following weekends since the second wave in December.

The result is the total number of infections to date now siting at 1 476 135, with the NDoH noting that over 8.49 million tests have been conducted to date. The department also confirms that 1 360 204 recoveries have also been reported, resulting in an increased recovery rate of 92 percent.

Unfortunately, however, 110 new fatalities have been recorded as well. The Eastern Cape accounts for eight, Free State has 20, Gauteng has 23, KwaZulu-Natal reported 10, Mpumalanga contributes 20, the Northern Cape has one and the Western Cape recorded 28 new deaths over the past 24 hours. The total number of fatalities related to COVID-19 in South Africa is now 46 290.

The full breakdown of COVID-19 in South Africa is as follows:

As always, in order to stay up to date with the spread of COVID-19 in South Africa and abroad, we advise the following materials and platforms:

• Dr Zweli Mkhize on Twitter
• COVID-19 Connect on WhatsApp – add 0600 123 456 as a contact and say “Hi”.
• World Health Organisation
• SA Coronavirus website
• SA Government
• SA Presidency

[Image – Photo by SWISS IM&H on Unsplash