Mkhize concerned at increase in Covid-19 cases in Western Cape
Health Minister Zweli Mkhize reiterated his warning to South Africans that the risk of a Covid-19 resurgence remains high.
The minister, who is himself recovering at home from the virus said in a statement that the epidemiological reports are of some concern.
"I wish to bring to the attention of all South Africans that our epidemiological reports are showing that in the country, over the last 7 days there has been an increase of 9.1% in new cases. Similarly, over the last 14 days, there has been an increase of 10.7%," he said.
The minister also expressed concern over some provinces, such as the Western Cape, which are reporting a high level of infections.
The Western Cape has recorded a 42% increase in new infections, according to the minister.
"According to our resurgence plan, we define this significant spike in new cases in the Western Cape as a resurgence.
"The Western Cape provincial health department has identified specific clusters that are responsible for the increase in cases and has advised that each of these clusters has been investigated and a detailed outbreak response is being mounted.
"We have noted that the single biggest cluster outbreak has been identified to be in the Southern Sub-district in the Cape Metro, and this has been associated with a super-spreader event in a BAR," said the minister.
Mkhize said his office awaits a report from the provincial department of health's response teams on how sub-districts would be targeted to handle the spread of the virus.
The minister also revealed his wife, May Mkhize, has been released from hospital and would continue to quarantine at home with him.