South Africa reports three more COVID-19 deaths
Three more coronavirus deaths have been recorded in South Africa as the number of confirmed cases edges closer to the 5 000 mark.
Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize unpacked the country's COVID-19 crisis - during a virtual briefing last night. He says the latest deaths were recorded in the Western Cape.
"There have been three more deaths, bring the total to 93 deaths - where three deaths have happened in the Western Cape. One is a 67-year-old male, the other is a 70-year-old male and the other is a 79-year-old female. All of them had underlying challenges."
'We have seen an increase in our numbers of deaths. As of today [Tuesday], we have 4 996 cases reported in South Africa. The number of tests that have been conducted comes to 185 497," Mkhize said.
There have been a total of 2 073 recoveries.
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He said the country has a 1.9% coronavirus-related fatality rate despite patients having underlying health conditions.
"Over 4.5 million people in South Africa have diabetes, and over 70% of women and 40% of men are also overweight or obese. These risk factors are important to take into account because they are also serious factors when it comes to the contact of the COVID-19 infection."
