The Health Department has announced that the number of COVID-19 infections in South Africa has risen to 18,003

This is an increase of 803 from Tuesday’s announcement.

The number of deaths has also increased by 27 bring the total to 339

The Western Cape has the most infections with 11,262, followed by Gauteng at 2,400, KwaZulu-Natal 1,650, Free State 180, North West 72, Mpumalanga 93, Limpopo 93, Eastern Cape 2 215, Northern Cape 38 and unallocated infections 0.

The total number of recoveries to date is 8950

Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize says the total number of COVID-19 tests conducted to date is 506,861 this is an increase of 18,252 which were done in the last 24 hours.

Mkhize says the country has also recorded the first neonatal mortality related to COVID-19,

“This was a 2-day-old baby that was born prematurely and therefore had lung difficulties which required ventilation support immediately after birth. The mother had tested positive for COVID-19 and the child subsequently tested positive for COVID-19 as well. It is important to appreciate the complexities of the underlying condition of prematurity.”

Mkhize says they are also devastated to have registered the death of a health care worker in the Western Cape.

“When COVID-19 claims the lives of the very people who are the bedrock of the national response, we feel the loss in so many ways. I want to send a special tribute to the health care workers who continue to serve with honour and compassion, despite the real risks they face in the frontline.”

Mkhize has expressed his condolences to the affected families and appreciation to the health workers who treated the patients.

Faizel Patel 

(Twitter: @FaizelPatel143)