COVID-19: SA records more than 7000 cases and 431 deaths

South Africa recorded just over 7 000 new COVID-19 cases on Tuesday, 31 August, according to the National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD). The 49 168 tests conducted over the past 24 hours represent a positivity rate of 14.4%, down from yesterday’s 17.6% rate. KwaZulu-Natal was responsible for the most new cases on the day.

SA ADDS 7086 NEW COVID-19 CASES

The 7086 new COVID-19 cases detected in South Africa on Tuesday brings the total number of active cases in the country to 150 835. Unfortunately, 431 more people died of COVID-19-related complications, according to the NICD, bringing the death toll to 82 261.

A further 404 people were admitted to hospital for COVID-19 treatment within the latest testing cycle. The 255 private and 409 public hospitals reporting to the NICD now have 12 663 patients admitted.

“The total number of cases today (n= 7 086) is higher than yesterday (n= 5 644) and lower than the average number of new cases per day over the 7 preceding days (n= 9 816),” said NICD.

“The 7-day moving average daily number of cases has decreased.”

PROVINCIAL BREAKDOWN

KwaZulu-Natal was the province with the most cases on Tuesday with 25%, followed by Eastern Cape (22%) and Western Cape (17%).

Free State accounted for 10%, Gauteng had 8% and the Northern Cape had 7%. Mpumalanga (4%), North West (3%) and Limpopo (2%) rounded off the list.

The list below shows the new COVID-19 cases identified by province, the bracketed number is the number of cases detected on the previous day:

• Eastern Cape – 1585 cases (931);
• Free State – 732 cases (552);
• Gauteng – 571 cases (343);
• KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) – 1803 cases (1982);
• Limpopo – 145 cases (44);
• Mpumalanga – 306 cases (327);
• North West – 201 cases (170);
• Northern Cape – 523 cases (392);;
• Western Cape – 1220 cases (903); and
• Unallocated –  0 cases.