Staff Reporter
The Free State province has recorded two more cases of COVID-19 to bring the province’s tally to 76.
Health Minister Zweli Mkhize said South Africa now has a total of 1 380 confirmed coronavirus cases following an increase of 27 from Tuesday’s figure.
“About 44 202 people have been tested (nationally) largely in private laboratories and just over 6 000 performed in public health (National Health Laboratory Service),” he said.
The minister made the announcement when he unveiled 60 mobile sampling and testing units for the coronavirus in Johannesburg this Wednesday evening.
The units are set to be deployed across the country to all districts and metropolitan municipalities.
Mkhize said in light of the increasing incidence of COVID-19 local transmissions, it has become necessary to scale up the capacity of testing citizens across the country.
“Our testing criteria is reactive and restrictive. This means we don’t have a true picture. Although we are talking about 45 000 tests, this is too low, given the size of the population,” he pointed out.
The minister said he was happy the rate of increase in confirmed COVID-19 in the country had slowed down, a development he attributed to the national lockdown which has significantly limited the movement of people.
“I ascribe this reduction in the rate of increase . . . to closing the borders, enforcing quarantine on inbound travellers . . . (the) lockdown has slowed internal transmission by reducing the spread during large gatherings and overcrowded transport (such as) trains, buses and taxis,” he said.
Meanwhile, Deputy Minister of Police Cassel Mathale together with National Commissioner General Kehla Sitole are expected visit some of the COVID-19 Lockdown Joint Operations in the Free State this Thursday to assess adherence to the regulations.
They are expected to start at the Twin City Shopping Mall in Heidedal, Bloemfontein, before going to other areas.