COVID-19 Latest: SA records 10 510 new cases and 118 deaths

South Africa continues to record an increasing number of positive COVID-19 cases. In the last 24 hours, the country recorded 10 510 new cases, the National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD) reported.

Gauteng continues to rank number one in terms of active cases, as of 18 June 2021, the province recorded 6 969 positive COVID-19 cases.

WHICH PROVINCES ARE ALREADY EXPERIENCING THE COVID-19 THIRD WAVE?

This week, President Cyril Ramaphosa said that four provinces are already experiencing the third of the coronavirus.

“With the exception of Northern Cape, all provinces are experiencing rising infections,” said Ramaphosa.

Four provinces, namely; Gauteng, Free State, North West and the Northern Cape are officially in a third wave, while others are approaching that point.

“The proportion of COVID tests that are positive – the so-called positivity rate – is continuing to rise in Gauteng, Limpopo, Western Cape, Free State and KwaZulu-Natal. Of these, Gauteng has been the worst hit,” he added

COVID-19 continues to claim more lives in the country, with an additional 118 deaths in the last 24 hours putting the total to 58 441 as of Friday, 18 June 2021.

South African Medical Association chairperson Angelique Coetzee was unable to hide her disappointment with the government, during an interview with SABC on Friday morning. The disgruntled doctor clearly stated that ‘tough decisions are not being made’ by President Ramaphosa and his colleagues. Coetzee says that school closures ‘should come under review’, particularly in Gauteng.

“There should be tighter restrictions on gatherings, people should stay at home as much as possible, we need to look at school closures again, especially in Gauteng. If you want a bed in Gauteng you are going to struggle.”

“This is what we’re seeing and if we want to get out of this, we need to make tough decisions. But it seems like it’s not going to happen – so for now, it is what it is, and no one should be astonished if the numbers go up.”

READ: COVID-19: SAMRC calls for ban on gatherings in Gauteng