Health minister Dr Zweli Mkhize said in a statement this evening that there are now 6,336 positive Covid-19 cases in South Africa.

This is up by 385 from the 5,951 Covid-19 cases announced yesterday.

Mkhize also announced that a further seven people have died from the virus, taking total deaths to 123.

Recoveries now stand at 2,549, the minister said.

He said that 230,686 tests have been conducted to date, of which 13,164 were completed over the past 24 hours.

#COVID__19 Statistics in South Africa as at 02 May 2020 pic.twitter.com/q52QrkaL5B

— Dr Zweli Mkhize (@DrZweliMkhize) May 2, 2020

The Western Cape has 2,700 infections, followed by Gauteng, with 1,598 cases.

The Western Cape remains the epicentre of the pandemic in South Africa and earlier Premier Alan Winde announced that another four patients had died, bringing the province's Covid-19 death toll to 52.

The figures for the Western Cape differ from those announced by Premier Winde earlier because the national figures are compiled from data supplied before the provincial figures are announced.

The province has forecast a peak of 80,000 infections and is working to prepare enough hospital beds to limit fatalities.

Winde wants President Cyril Ramaphosa to ensure victims of COVID-19 were honoured and commemorated.

He asked the president to allow for all flags at national key points to be flown at half-mast every Wednesday from sunrise to sunset.

The Premier said this would also be in support of health service professionals working on the front line.