The Western Cape has 13 696 confirmed coronavirus cases, of which 6719 are active. 6950 people have recovered as of today [May 24].

Unfortunately, there have been 24 more COVID-19 related deaths recorded, bringing the total number of deaths from the virus in the province to 300.  569 people are currently hospitalised, of which 151 are in ICU or high care. 121 072 tests have been conducted in the province to date.

On a positive note, the recoveries in the province are now approaching 7000. In Witzenberg, where the Western Cape’s targeted hotspot plan was first piloted, over 80% of the total number of COVID-19 positive patients, have now recovered. In Khayelitsha, 60% of the total case load to date has recovered, and in the Tygerberg region, 56% of the total number of cases have already recovered.

Tonight, President Cyril Ramaphosa will brief the nation on developments in South Africa’s risk-adjusted strategy to manage the spread of COVID-19. Premier Alan Winde hopes that the country will move level 3.

“During the most recent President’s Coordinating Council meeting, the Western Cape presented on its hotspot strategy, which is focused on limiting the number of new infections in the areas where infections are highest, and responding to the impact of the coronavirus and the national lockdown through an all of government, data driven approach,” explains Winde in a statement.

“Our health response includes identifying those most at risk, including healthcare workers, and repurposes our community screening and testing efforts to make sure that more can be done quicker, to save lives. This targeted approach, which enables more of the economy to open up while intervening rigorously in hotspots to slow the virus, also takes into consideration the very severe humanitarian crisis which is unfolding in South Africa today.”

The breakdown of cases are as follows:

Picture: Pixabay

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