The Department of Health has announced that as of today [May 5] the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in South Africa is 7572. The number of coronavirus related deaths recorded today was 10.

A provincial breakdown of total confirmed cases is as follows:

PROVINCE COVID-19 Confirmed Cases
Eastern Cape 838
Free State 128
Gauteng 1697
KwaZulu-Natal 1142
Limpopo 40
Mpumalanga 57
North West 35
Northern Cape 26
Western Cape 3609
Unknown 0
Total 7572

The total number of tests conducted to date is up to 268,064 with 10,523 tests done in the past 24 hours.

Sector Total tested New tested
Private 133 314 50% 5 165 49%
Public 134 750 50% 5 358 51%
Grand Total 268 064 10 523

Sadly, the Ministry of Health has announced 10 more COVID-19 related deaths of which, 7 were from the Western Cape, 1 from Eastern Cape, 1 from KZN and 1 from Gauteng. This brings the total deaths nationally to 148.

The provincial breakdown of deaths is as follows:

Province Deaths
Eastern Cape 18
Free State 6
Gauteng 15
KwaZulu Natal 36
Limpopo 2
Mpumalanga 0
North West 0
Northern Cape 0
Western Cape 71
Total 148

In a statement the Department of Health highlighted on World Hand Hygiene Day, the importance of washing our hands regularly now more than ever.

“Today we commemorate World Hand Hygiene Day in a year that has particularly shone the spotlight on hand hygiene. As we know, one of the ways Coronavirus is transferred is by hands which have come into contact with contaminated surfaces, objects or areas of the body.

“To echo the sentiments of our Honourable President Cyril Ramaphosa, who addressed us from KwaZulu Natal today, the COVID-19 outbreak is giving us an opportunity, as humanity, to review our way of life and take forward all the important lessons we are learning into a new future.

“Washing hands saves lives. Remember to wash your hands thoroughly and regularly, for at least 20 seconds, with soap and water or hand sanitizer.”

Picture: Unsplash

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