Mkhize: COVID-19 infections slower than expected
The Health Ministry is moving forward with a plan to test as many people as possible.
Since Tuesday, the number of those infection has increased by more than two dozen.
"The total number of patients of positive tests was 1 380. In Gauteng we have got 645, Western Cape we have got 326, in KwaZulu-Natal we have got 186."
The death toll stands at five.
Minister Zweli Mkhize says since the pandemic broke out in South Africa, more than 44 000 people have been tested.
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He says the rate of infections was slower than previously expected.
"Even though this number seems high, it is still way too low for the number of challenges South Africa faces."
He says another 60 mobile sampling and testing units have been procured for door-to-door screening.
"It brings us now to 67 more mobile testing units, vehicles which are equipped as laboratories."
"They will focus on sampling nasopharyngeal specimen for the PCR test, which is what is happening in the laboratories. The current capacity of our laboratories has been pushed up to 5 000 tests in 24 hours."
"These mobile units will also be used for rapid test kits when these become available. They are not available yet."
