COVID-19: SA records 7238 cases and 12 deaths – 24,8% positivity

South Africa recorded 7238 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday, 19 May, according to the National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD). The 29 199 tests conducted over the past 24 hours represent a positivity rate of 24,8 percent.

SA ADDS 7238 NEW COVID-19 CASES

The 7238 new COVID-19 cases detected in South Africa on Thursday brings the total number of active cases in the country to 80 791. Twelve people died of COVID-19-related complications in the last 24 to 48 hours, according to the NICD.

The National Department of Health added 31 deaths, including the aforementioned 12, bringing the death toll to 100 898.

There were 136 people admitted to hospital for COVID-19 treatment within the past 24 hours. The 262 private and 407 public hospitals reporting to the NICD now have 3283 patients admitted.

“The proportion of positive new cases/total new tested today is (24.8%), and is higher than yesterday (22.6%). The 7-day average is (23.3%) today, and is higher than yesterday (23.1%),” said the NICD.

PROVINCIAL BREAKDOWN

The majority of the cases identified on Thursday were found in Gauteng (34%), followed by Western Cape (23%) and KwaZulu-Natal with 15 percent.

The Eastern Cape accounted for 10 percent, while the Free State had 6 percent.

The Northern Cape accounted for 5 percent and North West had 4 percent.

Mpumalanga (3%) and Limpopo (1%) rounded off the day’s cases.

The list below shows the new COVID-19 cases identified by province:

• Eastern Cape – 629 cases;
• Free State – 345 cases;
• Gauteng –  2038 cases;
• KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) – 944 cases;
• Limpopo – 58 cases;
• Mpumalanga – 183 cases;
• North West – 245 cases;
• Northern Cape – 293 cases;
• Western Cape – 1371 cases.