Keep transmission rates low over Easter, pleads Mkhize
As the Easter long weekend gets underway, Health Minster Zweli Mkhize has asked South Africans to remain vigilant against the spread of the coronavirus.
The Department of Health said on Thursday evening that 1 294 new coronavirus cases had been recorded since its previous report, bringing the total number of cases to 1 549 541.
Addresing the nation in a virtual message, Minister Mkhize praised South Africans for their resilience during the past year.
"The Covid-19 pandemic has been with us for just over a year,” Mkhize said.
"If the coronavirus has taught us anything, it's that we are a resilient and compassionate nation that is prepared to do what it takes to save lives and livelihoods.
"We must take this resilience with us into the Easter period and ensure that we do not spread Covid-19 amongst ourselves during the holidays."
Mkhize recognised the religious sector for its battle to keep Covid-19 at bay.
"We thank you for the gift of faith as we face on of the darkest ages of our time," he said.
"At this time we've managed to rise above Covid-19 and keep the transmission rates low.
"Let us therefore use the holidays to celebrate our hard-won victories, but also reflect on the war that coronavirus continue to wage.
"We do not want to celebrate Easter with our friends and family only to bury them the following weekend," Mkhize warned.
In its latest report, the Department of Health confirmed that 51 new coronavirus-related deaths had been recorded.
The majority of those deaths - 25 - were recorded in Limpopo, with 13 in Gauteng, 6 in the Western Cape, 3 each in KwaZulu Natal and the Eastern Cape, and 1 in Mpumalanga.
The country's recovery rate now stands at 95%.
Meanwhile, 269 102 vaccines had been administerd by Thursday late afternoon.
READ ALSO:
