Image Courtesy of GCIS.

Health minister Zweli Mkhize has announced that there are now 4,546 confirmed Covid-19 cases in South Africa.

There was only one more Covid-19-related death,which increased the total number of deaths to 87. He conveyed condolences to the family and appreciated the frontline workers who treated this patient.

The Department of Health said that the latest death was reported in the Western Cape. The province has reported the most number of cases (1,608), followed by Gauteng (1,331) and KZN (863).

The minister said that 168,643 tests have been conducted to date, up from 161,004 previously.

#Covid_19 Statistics in South Africa as at 26 April 2020. pic.twitter.com/BtFIPqqfqq

— Dr Zweli Mkhize (@DrZweliMkhize) April 26, 2020

Mkhize also announced the pending arrival of a delegation of 217 Cuban Medical Brigade, set to arrive in South Africa on Monday. 

"This is in response to the Government of the Republic of South Africa’s request to the Government of Cuba to offer us assistance and medical personnel support comprising of infectious diseases specialists, to support South Africa in its efforts to deal with Covid-19. The strong social and political solidarity and support that exists between the two countries have been seen in various development programmes. 

As the Department of Health, we have continuously enjoyed this support through the ongoing medical training programme of South African students in Cuba. As Cuba did in the difficult times of apartheid, it has once again lent its hand by sending health workers who are specialised in the areas of Family Medicine, Infection Prevention Control, Case Management, Regulatory Authority, Epidemiology and Surveillance, Health Technology and Biostatistics," Mkhize said. 

He explained that Cuba is known for its disaster preparedness and its consistent deployment of medical brigades for disaster relief wherever required, which continues to earn Havana goodwill worldwide.