SA records 399 new COVID-19 cases bringing total cases to 3 993 843.

By Lehlohonolo Lehana.

The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), reports 399 new COVID-19 cases that have been identified in South Africa, which brings the total number of laboratory-confirmed cases to 3 993 843.

The majority of new cases today are from Gauteng (39%) followed by Western Cape (22%). KwaZulu-Natal accounted for 12%; Eastern Cape and Mpumalanga each accounted for 6% respectively; Free State and Limpopo each accounted for 5% respectively; Northern Cape accounted for 4%; and North West accounted for 3% of today’s cases respectively.

This increase represents a 3.6% positivity rate.

The proportion of positive new cases/total new tested today is (3.6%), and is lower than yesterday (3.9%). The 7-day average is (4,8%) today, and is lower than yesterday (5.1%).

Today, the NDoH reports 29 deaths, and of these, 9 occurred in the past 24 – 48 hours. This brings the total fatalities to 101,793 to date.

Minister in the Presidency Mondli Gungubele says although government initiated interventions to mitigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, many lessons can be learnt.

Gungubele was speaking during the launch of the South Africa COVID-19 Country Report, which records measures and interventions adopted by the country to combat COVID-19 and its negative socio-economic impacts.

“It is important that we pick up lessons from our collective experiences to improve things going forward. It is through learning that we can sharpen our focus in enhancing the capability of the State to deal with outbreaks and other forms of disaster, “he said.

The first edition report references the time period during South Africa’s experience of the first and second waves of COVID-19 infections.

A second edition is expected to be released which will detail an extended period following those two waves and some of the outcomes of government’s interventions.

Gungubele said the value of the report was “derived during the research process” which gave government concurrent analysis on the COVID-19 situation and allowed the state to respond more efficiently.

“As the research and analysis proceeded, various actors improved their understanding of the pandemic and in the same way, lessons were being drawn – feeding into relevant decision making processes and helping to improve [government’s] response measures,” he said.

The Minister said some recommendations in the report have already been implemented including those relating to social relief assistance, vaccinations, government regulations and the economy.

“There are numerous lessons on what worked well and what has not worked well to do and specific recommendations on what to do. To date, important steps taken include the announcement of the Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan… which signalled a shift in the focus of government towards stabilisation and recovery.

“The extension of the social assistance programme has been effected through the Social Relief of Distress Grant until 2023,” Gungubele said.

Scroll to Top