Health Minister Zweli Mkhize says the number of COVID-19 deaths in South Africa now stands at five.
Mkhize announced the figures at a media briefing on Tuesday afternoon, confirming 46 new cases that have tested positive for Covid-19 since Monday.
“There are currently 1 353 cases, with 39 500 people tested,” said Mkhize.
Mkhize said scaling up of testing in the next few days might increase the number of infections in SA.
“It remains a serious challenge as we go to cold winter months. The reality is we have not admitted many patients. We have admitted 55 so far. But we must be ready.”
President Cyril Ramaphosa announced a major screening and testing campaign on Monday evening, saying government will deploy 10 000 field workers in a massive testing and screening management drive.
“We are now entering a new phase in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Ramaphosa.
“This drive is far-reaching, it is intensive and it is unprecedented in scale.”
(Compiled by Charles Molele)
