Covid-19 south africa

An undertaker wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) passes a flowers bouquet during the funeral of a COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) victim at a funeral house in Johannesburg, on July 26, 2020. – South Africa has the highest numbers of diagnosed infections in Africa and ranks fifth in the world after the United States, Brazil, India and Russia. Photo: AFP/Michele Spatari

COVID-19: Confirmed cases increase by 7 232, recovery rate now 62.5%

The Ministry of Health reports that South Africa’s caseload increased with 7 232 new cases since Monday.

Covid-19 south africa

An undertaker wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) passes a flowers bouquet during the funeral of a COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) victim at a funeral house in Johannesburg, on July 26, 2020. – South Africa has the highest numbers of diagnosed infections in Africa and ranks fifth in the world after the United States, Brazil, India and Russia. Photo: AFP/Michele Spatari

The latest COVID-19 figures have been released. Health Minister Zweli Mkhize confirmed on Tuesday 28 July that SA’s cumulative caseload now stands at 459 761 along with 287 313 recoveries.

Update: This article was updated after Minister Mkhize deleted the initial tweet which stated that 190 patients passed away during the past 24 hours and that the recovery rate was 62.5%. The second tweet stated 268 deaths and a recovery rate of 61%. The second tweet was deleted as well and replaced by the original figures of 190 deaths and 62.5% recovery rate.

COVID-19 in South Africa: Tuesday 28 July 2020

As per the Department of Health, South Africa recorded an increase of 7 232 new cases since Monday, when SA’s caseload stood at 425 529 after a spike of 7 096 cases.

In addition, 287 313 citizens have recovered, which brings the recovery rate to 62.5%. Minister Mkhize also reports that 190 patients have lost the battle against COVID-19 during the past 24 hours.

The new cases are 11 from the Eastern Cape, 55 from Gauteng, 62 from KwaZulu Natal, 49 from the Western Cape and 13 from the North West. This brings the total death toll in South Africa to 7 257.

At the time of publishing, 2 830 635 tests have been conducted in South Africa since the outbreak of the pandemic, with 28 424 tests carried out within the last 24 hours; 15 062 in the public sector and 13 362 in the private sector.

Breakdown of new confirmed COVID-19 cases

New cases, deaths and recoveries by province

The confirmed COVID-19 cases per province is as follows:

ProvinceTotal CasesDeathsRecoveries
Gauteng164 5841 545102 614
Western Cape92 9832 96076 835
KwaZulu Natal68 10168527 682
Free State18 1341542 178
Eastern Cape75 0671 54560 745
Limpopo7 502673 565
Mpumalanga11 552655 812
North West17 791726 638
Northern Cape3 997291 244
Unallocated5000

COVID-19 hot-spots

Data released by Media Hack showed that major cities in Gauteng, Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal have seen a spike in transmissions. It was also reported that the KwaZulu Natal could be the new COVID-19 epicentre.

Media Hack also released maps of hot-spot areas. To see if you live in or near a hot-spot, go here. If you’re in Gauteng, the geographical data for this region is much more concise than other provinces.

Global COVID-19 news

On Saturday, the global caseload tipped over the 16-million mark. At the time of publishing, there were 16 796 472 confirmed cases worldwide. The novel coronavirus is now affecting 213 countries and territories.

Out of the total confirmed cases, 10 345 804 patients have recovered, while 660 603 individuals succumbed to the disease. South Africa is currently the fifth-hardest hit country in the world, with Mexico and Peru right behind.

Ahead of us on the charts are Russia with a caseload of 823 515 confirmed cases, India with 1 532 125, Brazil with 2 455 905 and the United States, the hardest-hit country presently, with 4 466 384 confirmed cases and 151 786 deaths.

Also read — Western Cape estimated to lose 167 000 jobs and R720m worth of revenue during 2020