Local newsNews

Covid-19: Total cases rise above 600 000 in SA

A further 225 Covid-19 deaths were recorded on 21 August, bringing the total number of deaths to 12 843 since the start of the pandemic.

The total number of Covid-19 cases in South Africa since the start of the pandemic has now climbed above 600 000.

On 21 August, Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize reported that 603 338 confirmed Covid-19 cases had been recorded, with 3 398 new cases identified.

Gauteng remains the province with the highest total number of confirmed cases since the start of the pandemic with 203 832 cases (33.8 per cent), followed by KwaZulu-Natal with 108 788 (18 per cent), the Western Cape with 103 942 (17.2 per cent) and the Eastern Cape with 84 787 (14.1 per cent).

A further 225 Covid-19-related deaths were recorded on 21 August, with 81 from KwaZulu-Natal, 57 from the Eastern Cape, 46 from Gauteng, 25 from the Western Cape, 10 from North West and six from the Northern Cape.

This brings the total number of deaths to 12 843 since the start of the pandemic.

The total recoveries sits at 500 102, translating to a recovery rate of 82 per cent.

A total of 3 504 507 Covid-19 tests have been conducted thus far, with 24 224 new tests conducted on 21 August. The private sector has conducted 56 per cent of the total tests.

* Notice: Coronavirus reporting at Caxton Local Media aims to combat fake news

Dear reader,

As your local news provider, we have the duty of keeping you factually informed on Covid-19 developments. As you may have noticed, mis- and disinformation (also known as “fake news”) is circulating online. Caxton Local Media is determined to filter through the masses of information doing the rounds and to separate truth from untruth in order to keep you adequately informed. Local newsrooms follow a strict pre-publication fact-checking protocol. A national task team has been established to assist in bringing you credible news reports on Covid-19.

Readers with any comments or queries may contact National Group Editor Irma Green (irma@caxton.co.za) or Legal Adviser Helene Eloff (helene@caxton.co.za).

Related Articles

 
Back to top button