COVID-19 in SA: Over 3 000 new cases for second consecutive day

South Africa has picked up 3 141 new COVID-19 infections in a single day, the Health Ministry said on Friday evening 14 May 2021. This is the second consecutive day that the country has recorded more than 3 000 new cases of the respiratory disease. On Thursday, 3 221 infections were reported, the highest number of new cases since February.

The latest figures bring the cumulative number of COVID-19 cases to 1 608 393. The rising infection rate has prompted government to reiterate the importance of exercising the necessary preventative measures, including wearing a mask, avoiding crowds and using sanitiser.

SA’s COVID-19 death toll rises by 112

On another grim note, the respiratory disease continues claiming more lives, with an additional 112 people having been reported dead over the past 24-hour cycle – this puts the toll to 55 124. Of the new fatalities, 42 were in the Free State, 40 in the North West, 14 in Gauteng, 10 in the Western Cape, five in KwaZulu-Natal and one in the Eastern Cape.

No deaths were reported in Limpopo, Mpumalanga and the Northern Cape.

The good news: While the COVID-19 recovery rate has dropped slightly to 94.6%, the number of people who have managed to beat the respiratory disease has increased to 1 522 165.

“The number of tests conducted to date is 11 052 993. Of these 41 994 tests were conducted since the last report. The number of vaccinations completed under the Sisonke Protocol stands at 474 318,” Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize said in his daily COVID-19 update.

It is yet to be declared whether South Africa is in a third wave of infections, but in the meantime, the number of cases is rising and many are pinning their hopes on a vaccine.