Health Minister Dr. Zweli Mkhize has announced that the number of COVID-19 infections in South Africa has risen to 1749.

This is an increase of 63 cases from Monday’s announcement of 1686.

Mkhize also says that 13 people have now died from the virus in South Africa.

The latest victim is a 60-year-old man from KwaZulu-Natal who had advanced-stage cancer.

Mkhize was speaking in Johannesburg at the Motsepe Foundation.

He says there is no treatment for Covid-19, but there is in other countries where drugs are used together for a trial but indicated that South Africa does not have enough infections or patients at hospitals that requires the country to participate.

“A vaccine is developed but heavily tested in order to ensure that it is compatible with the human body. This includes development and testing on animal trials then move to human trials.”

Mkhize say South Africa is carefully watching the participation of countries who are researching the possibility of a vaccine.

Faizel Patel

(Twitter: @FaizelPatel143)