- Another 1 712 new cases of Covid-19 have been reported in South Africa.
- This brings the total cases to 730 548.
- Another 46 Covid-19 related deaths were reported on Wednesday, with nine in the past 48 hours.
Another 1 712 new cases of Covid-19 was reported in South Africa on Wednesday, as matric candidates prepare to get through the last stretch of a disruptive year of schooling during the pandemic.
The total number of cases now stands at 730 548, with 659 249 recoveries.
It translates to a 90% recovery rate.
Another 46 Covid-19 related deaths were reported on Wednesday, with nine in the past 48 hours.
The death toll is now 19 585.
However, authorities are still appealing for vigilance with regard to sanitising and physical distancing, with all eyes on matrics who are about to write their final examinations in conditions more difficult than usual.
The Western Cape government also issued an appeal for visitors to homes for the aged to take special precautions.
According to the province's social development MEC Sharna Fernandez, there were 20 active cases in facilities for the elderly in the Western Cape.
Older people have been known to be more at risk of developing complications, although last week the Western Cape's head of health, Dr Keith Cloete, said the profile of emerging cases was of a younger age group from late teens to twenties.
"We are continuing to work closely with all old age homes in the province. However, we also require family members, stakeholders and citizens, who are visiting their loved ones, to follow the Covid-19 guidelines set out by each facility, if we are to prevent further spread of the virus across our homes," said Fernandez in a statement.
- Compiled by Jenni Evans