By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Minister of Health Dr Zweli Mkhize says the cumulative number of COVID-19 cases identified in South Africa is 1 621 362.
This is an increase of 3522 new cases identified in the last 24 hours.
Mkhize said a further 167 COVID-19 related deaths have been reported: Eastern Cape 3, Free State 38, Gauteng 35, Kwa-Zulu Natal 6, Limpopo 19, Mpumalanga 3, North West 46, Northern Cape 7 and Western Cape 10 which brings the total to 55 507 deaths.
“Provinces are back capturing data as far back as December 2020 as part of their COVID-19 mortality audits.”
The minister added that the number of tests conducted to date is 11 207 305. Of these 40 355 tests were conducted since the last report and cumulative recoveries now stand at 1 528 868 representing a recovery rate of 94,2%.
Vaccination Rollout:
The total vaccinated under the Sisonke Programme is 480 665. These vaccinations were with the one-dose Johnson and Johnson vaccine and are therefore completed vaccinations.
The total vaccinated in Phase Two as at 17.10 today is 77 505. These vaccinations were with the first dose of Pfizer vaccine.
Meanwhile according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), there have been 163 312 429 confirmed COVID-19 global cases, with 3 386 825 deaths, since the outbreak.
Globally, the number of new cases and deaths continued to decrease in the past week.
According to the WHO, there are over 4.8 million new infections and under 86 000 additional deaths reported, which is a 12% and 5% decrease respectively compared to the previous week.
“Despite a declining trend over the past three weeks, the incidence of cases remains at some of the highest levels since the start of the pandemic.”
The agency said all regions reported a decline in new cases this week apart from the Western Pacific region, where the incidence of new cases was similar to the previous week.
“The European region reported the largest decline in new cases this week, followed by the Eastern Mediterranean. These regions also reported the largest decline in new deaths over the past week.”
While, South-East Asia and Western Pacific regions reported a similar number of new deaths as the previous week.
The highest numbers of new cases were reported from India (2 387 663 new cases, 13% decrease), Brazil (437 076 new cases, 3% increase), the United States (235 638 new cases, 21% decrease), Argentina (151 332 new cases, 8% increase), and Colombia (115 834 new cases, 6% increase).