South Africa’s COVID-19 death toll has surpassed 18,000 as of Tuesday, October 13 according to health minister Dr Zweli Mkhize. The total number of deaths is now at 18,028.

The country’s current number of total coronavirus cases is 694 537, and 1 178 new cases were recorded over the last 24 hours.

Gauteng still leads the way with the most reported cases, with 32.2% of the country’s total cases. Kwazulu-Natal is second with 17.4% and the Western Cape comes in third place with 16.3% of the country’s total confirmed cases.

“Regrettably, we report 165 more COVID-19 related deaths: 31 from Eastern Cape, 28 from the Free State, 50 from KwaZulu Natal, 31 from Gauteng, 5 from Limpopo, 4 from Mpumalanga, 5 from Northern Cape and 11 from Western Cape. This brings the total number of COVID-19 related deaths to 18 028,” said Mkhize in a statement.

“Of the 163 deaths reported today, 18 occurred in the past 24-48 hours: 3 in the Eastern Cape, 1 in Mpumalanga, 2 in Gauteng, 2 from Northern Cape and 10 in the Western Cape.”

South Africa’s recoveries stand at 625 574 which translates to a recovery rate of 90%.

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