SA Covid-19 tally tops 6,000 with 123 deaths

In an update on Saturday, Minister of Health, Zweli Mkhize said the total number of tests conducted to date is 230 686, of which 13 164 were done in the last 24 hours. 

"This is the highest number of tests done in a 24 hour cycle to date," said Mkhize. 

"We are pleased to report that the number of recoveries now stands at 2 549".

Mkhize also announced the passing of 7 more people to Covid-19 in the Western Cape and Free State.

This brings the total of Covid-19 related deaths to 123. 

"We wish to express our condolences to the families of the deceased and salute the health care workers who treated the deceased patients," said Mkhize.

The Department of Health has meanwhile begun studying the deaths to investigate emerging patterns and areas of high risks. 

The median age of patients who had died was 64 .

"We have looked at the data for patients who have been hospitalized and found that, consistent with evidence emerging worldwide, hypertension, diabetes and cardiac disease are the three most common co-morbidities associated with serious illness from Covid-19," said Mkhize.

Other co-morbidities that were seen amongst patients admitted to hospital with Covid-19 admitted patients were chronicpulmonary disease, asthma, active and past tuberculosis, HIV, and chronic renal disease.

"I would therefore like to urge our millions of South Africans who are over 63 years of age and those who live with these conditions to take extra precaution as we ease the lockdown," said Mkhize.

I would also like to urge all South Africans to continue to stay at home as far as possible, only venturing out to perform essential tasks as we move through the stages of the gradual lifting of lockdown.