The number of confirmed cases of Covid-19 in South Africa has risen to over 55 000 on Wednesday with a further 2 430 cases reported in the last 24 hours.

According to a statement by Minister of Health Zweli Mkhize, the total number of confirmed cases of the virus, as of 10 June, is 55 421.

The country has also edged even closer to the one million mark for tests conducted, with 998 400 tests conducted to date, of which 30 330 were conducted in the last 24 hours.

Cases by province:

Western Cape: 36 021
Gauteng: 7 195
Eastern Cape: 7 154
KwaZulu-Natal: 3 347
North West: 657
Free State: 401
Limpopo: 257
Mpumalanga: 207
Northern Cape: 125
Unknown: 57

Covid-19 related deaths

The minister also announced that a further 48 covid-19 related deaths have been recorded, bringing the total death toll to 1 210, which translated to a mortality rate of 2.2%.

Of the new reported deaths, 37 are from the Western Cape, nine from the Eastern Cape and two from KwaZulu-Natal.

“We extend our condolences to the loved ones of the departed and thank the healthcare workers who treated the deceased,” Mkhize said.

Recoveries have also increased, with a total of 31 505 recoveries recorded to date.

Deaths by province:

Western Cape: 927
Eastern Cape: 147
KwaZulu-Natal: 64
Gauteng: 57
Free State: 9
Limpopo: 3
North West: 1
Northern Cape: 1
Mpumalanga: 1
Of the deaths recorded as of 10 June, 51.3% were men and 48.6% were women.

The majority of the deaths were recorded in the age bracket of 50–79, accounting for 70.1%

Source: News24