The National Department of Health says the cumulative number of detected COVID-19 cases in South Africa rises to 734 175.
This is an increase of 1 761 new cases were recorded in the last 24 hours.
The cumulative number of tests conducted to date is 4 940 719 with 23 094 new tests conducted since the last report.
A further 72 COVID-19 related deaths were recorded today: 25 from Eastern Cape, 7 from Gauteng, 9 from the Free State, 8 from KwaZulu Natal, 16 from Limpopo, 3 from Northern Cape and 4 from Western Cape,said the department.
This brings the total number of COVID-19 related deaths to 19 749. Of the 72 deaths reported today, 7 were reported to have occurred in the past 24-48 hours: 1 in the Free State, 3 in Gauteng, 2 in KwaZulu Natal, 1 in Northern Cape.
The recoveries now stand at 675 593 which translates to a recovery rate of 92%.
Meanwhile the World Health Organisation (WHO) says Africa’s health services crisis could worsen as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to wreak havoc.
According to the WHO’s preliminary analysis, there is a sharp decline in five key essential services in 14 African countries between January and September 2020, compared with the two previous years.
These include outpatient consultation, inpatient admission, skilled birth attendance, treatment of confirmed malaria cases and the provision of the combination pentavalent vaccine.
WHO noted the widest gaps in May, June and July, when many countries enforced hard lockdown, with movement restrictions to curb the spread of Coronavirus.
According to WHO, during the three months, services in the five monitored areas dropped on average by more than 50% in the 14 countries, compared with the same period in 2019.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has brought hidden, dangerous knock-on effects for health in Africa. With health resources focused heavily on COVID-19, as well as fear and restrictions on people’s daily lives, vulnerable populations face a rising risk of falling through the cracks,” said WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti.
Moeti believes that the continent’s health systems must do better to withstand future shocks.
“A strong health system is the bedrock for emergency preparedness and response. As countries ease COVID-19 restrictions, we must not leave the door open for the pandemic to resurge.
“A new wave of COVID-19 infections could further disrupt life-saving health services, which are only now recovering from the initial impact,” said Moeti.
Compiled by Lehlohonolo Lehana.