South Africa’s number of people who have tested positive for the COVID-19 pandemic has jumped by 143 cases. A substantial increase since the announcement of the lockdown on March 27.
Health Minister Zweli Mkhize announced that the cases of coronavirus had risen from 2272 yesterday to 2415 this afternoon.
This was barely hours after government’s presentation last night, which showed that the rate at which the virus was spreading had significantly slowed down since the lockdown, moving between 45-89 cases on average.
Yesterday’s increase in cases of the virus was 99, while 27 deaths had been recorded.
Epidemiologist Professor Abdool Karim, chairperson of the ministerial advisory group on COVID-19, warned yesterday that if positive cases of the virus increase by more than 90 between April 10 and 16, then the lockdown should continue.
He said community transmission levels should, by Saturday, guide what next step government will take in the fight against the epidemic.
Karim also warned that the country would not escape the exponential increase in cases, especially after the lockdown.
Mkhize said 87 022 tests had been conducted so far. Gauteng is still leading with the number of infections (909), followed by Western Cape (643), KwaZulu Natal at 489. The Eastern Cape has now climbed to the fourth with 174 cases confirmed.
Karim said the lockdown had bought the country time to roll out an extensive testing and screening campaign, and prepare to care for those who get infected.
