SA sees a sharp increase in Covid-19 deaths and new infections
There has been a sharp increase in the number of daily new Covid-19 cases and Covid-19 related deaths.
The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) reports that 17 351 new Covid-19 infections were reported on Wednesday – some 10 000 more than the day before.
In its report released on Wednesday evening, the Institute says the total number of cases is higher than the previous day and higher than the average number of new cases per day.
Gauteng recorded an increase of 5 204 new cases, followed by the Western Cape with 4 667 cases.
However, the NICD says Wednesday also saw an increase in the number of tests conducted.
A total of 71 061 tests were done, presenting a positivity rate for the latest 24-hour period of 24.4%.
The new cases brought the total number of laboratory-confirmed cases since the start of the pandemic in South Africa to 2 408 525.
When it comes to new deaths, a further 520 Covid-19 related deaths have been reported, bringing total fatalities to 70 908.
There has been an increase of 726 hospital admissions in the past 24 hours.
Public and private health facilities across the country are currently treating 16 252 people for the virus.
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