The Health Department has announced that the number of COVID-19 infections in South Africa has risen to 1686

This is an increase of 31 cases from Sunday’s announcement of 1655

Health Minister Zweli Mkhize also confirmed that the number of deaths from COVID-19 has increased to 12 with 1 from Gauteng, 7 from KwaZulu-Natal, 1 from the Free State and 3 from the Western Cape.

Gauteng has the most infections with 713, followed by the Western Cape at 462, KwaZulu-Natal 257, Free State 89, North West 11, Mpumalanga 18, Limpopo 19, Eastern Cape 32, Northern Cape 8 and unallocated infections 77.

The total number of COVID-19 tests conducted to date is 58,098 an increase of 1,225 from those reported Sunday.

Mkhize conveyed his deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of the deceased.

“Today we are saddened to report another COVID-19 related death. The deceased patient is a 57 year old male from the Western Cape, who was admitted on the 5th April. He had co-morbidities that included diabetes and ischaemic heart disease.”

Faizel Patel

(Twitter: @FaizelPatel143)