By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Minister of Health Dr Zweli Mkhize says the cumulative number of COVID-19 cases in South Africa now stands at 1 529 420.
This is an increase 1006 of new cases identified and the cumulative total of tests conducted is 9 450 492 with 23 903 tests completed since the last report.
Mkhize said a further 65 COVID-19 related deaths were reported: Eastern Cape 1, Free State 27, Gauteng 12, Kwa-Zulu Natal 20, Limpopo 0, Mpumalanga 0, North West 0, Northern Cape 0 and Western Cape 5 which brings the total to 51 326 deaths.
The minister added that the cumulative recoveries today stand at 1 454 290 representing a recovery rate of 95%.
Vaccination Rollout
The number of health care workers vaccinated under the Sisonke Protocol remains 145 544 – today was earmarked for administrative work and the vaccination schedule will resume tomorrow.
Meanwhile the Department of Health on Sunday said 50 more inoculation sites have been identified as more front-line health workers line up to receive their COVID-19 vaccine.
More than 145,000 health workers have so far been immunised with the Johnson and Johnson vaccine.
The government plans on securing 9 million doses.
A third batch of the Johnson and Johnson vaccines arrived in the country on Saturday and has been distributed across various sites Sunday.
Vaccine trial co-lead professor Linda-Gail Bekker said: “We expect a further allocation midweek and towards the end of the week as well.”
Government has set aside a budget of R9 billion towards funding the free Covid-19 vaccination programme in the medium term, with the rollout expected to gather pace in the second half of the year.
This brings the vaccine rollout costs to a total of R10.3 billion for the current year, as an additional R1.3 billion was allocated in the current financial year.