Staff Reporter
South Africa’s COVID-19 cases have surged to 7 220, with seven new deaths recorded within a day taking the tally to 138, Health Minister Zweli Mkhize has announced.
The Free State now has 125 confirmed cases and six deaths, the latest victim in the province being a 51-year-old man from Freedom Square in Bloemfontein.
The provincial health department said the patient presented at Pelonomi Netcare Private Hospital on April 30 with underlying health conditions consistent with other COVID-19 deaths around the world.
He was treated and stabilised around 6pm but his condition suddenly deteriorated and he was declared dead at about 9am the following day, the department said.
Mkhize said while South Africa’s hospitalisation and case mortality rates for COVID-19 remained below the global averages, it was important for the country to limit the spread of the virus so that the health system is not overwhelmed.
He said this in his daily briefing on COVID-19 issued Monday evening as the country recorded 437 new confirmed cases in 24 hours and seven new deaths.
This means South Africa now has a total of 7 220 confirmed cases and 138 deaths.
According to the minister, as of Saturday, there were 411 people hospitalised across the country.
“This translates to approximately five percent of all COVID-19 confirmed patients and this is consistent with the hospitalisation rates that were seen in China,” Mkhize said.
“Our mortality rate has remained stable at around 1.9 percent since the first death was reported. This is below the world average which is 3.4 percent as estimated by the World Health Organisation.”
He was however quick to remind people to continue acting responsibly when out in public and at work places as the country’s winter season, normally associated with a sharp increase in flu-related illnesses, is yet to yet to come.
Mkhize said the principle of flattening the curve was aimed at limiting the spread of the infection so that the numbers do not rise to the extent of overwhelming the healthcare system.
“As winter sets in we will be confronted with the additional burden of influenza and other pneumonias, bronchiolitis in children, exacerbations of asthma and chronic obstructive airways disease and winter related trauma, like burns injuries,” he said.
“I therefore urge each and every South African to continue to play your part in easing the load on the healthcare system – stay home if you do not have to venture out, wear a mask at all times in public places, wash your hands regularly and disinfect surfaces you normally come into contact with.”
The minister also urged employers whose businesses have re-opened to take the necessary measures to protect employees.