South Africa has officially breached the one-million mark of COVID-19 cases since March. This news was broken by the minister of Health Dr Zweli Mkhize on Sunday evening, December 27.
“The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases is 1 004 413, the total number of deaths is 26 735 and the total number of recoveries is 844 874,” he said via Twitter. “We must adhere to non-pharmaceutical interventions to prevent the further spread of the virus.”
#COVID19 Statistics in SA as at 27 December.
Use the COVID Alert SA app to protect yourself, your loved ones and your community. Start using this privacy preserving app today. Add your phone to the fight! Download the Covid Alert SA app now! https://t.co/8YKEqaiiRF pic.twitter.com/N8gjUviMEg
— Dr Zweli Mkhize (@DrZweliMkhize) December 27, 2020
The number of new cases has increased by 9502 in the past 24 hours, with the Western Cape remaining the second-highest contributor of cases. Currently, the Gauteng province accounts for 27.3% of the country’s active coronavirus cases, while the Western Cape and Eastern Cape contribute 19.6% and 16.6% respectively.
On Sunday, members of the National Coronavirus Council (NCC) were called from leave to attend an emergency meeting as the pressure from hospitals and health workers alike, calling for harsher restrictions to be put in place, grows.
Speaking to News24, Minister in the Presidency Jackon Mthembu confirmed that the members were indeed called to a meeting on Sunday.
According to the news agency, it is expected that stricter regulations will be discussed as the rate of active infections continues to rise at a faster pace than it did during the first wave of the virus, and it is also expected that President Cyril Ramaphosa may address the nation before new year’s eve.
Picture: Polity.org