Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize has announced that the number of COVID-19 infections in South Africa has jumped to 2,003.

This is an increase of 69  from Thursday’s announcement of 1934.

Mkhize says 24 people have now died from Coronavirus.

He says 73 028 people have been tested and 410 people have recovered from the virus.

Mkhize says Gauteng still leads the numbers with 801 cases followed by Western Cape with 541, KwaZulu-Natal has 412.

Mkhize warns that the country is still “traversing through a storm, and the storm is not over”, but notes that the situation appears to be on the up for the time being.

“We want to thank The President, NCC and Ministers. It is important to know there is scientific basis and support for the extension of the lockdown announced by the President.”

On Thursday Ramaphosa extended the national lock down by an additional two weeks beyond the initial 21 days asking the country to make “greater sacrifices” to save thousands of lives.

Faizel Patel 

(Twitter: @FaizelPatel143)