This comes as the National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD) confirmed 15 positive cases of Covid-19, up from 11 after four more were recorded in the province.

On Thursday Sambatha announced two cases were confirmed in Rustenburg and one in Mafikeng and Klerksdorp each.

So far two people have recovered from the virus and no death have been reported. Sambatha says not adhering to regulations of the lockdown could result in an increase in cases.

 OFM News previously reported that there have been at least 16 referrals for possible testing for the Covid-19 after the mass screening of 15 098 people in the province.

Health Department spokesperson, Tebogo Lekgethwane, told OFM News this means that these 16 people will be referred for testing to determine their status after showing symptoms.

So far, there have been screenings in all of the districts in the province over the past four days. The Department of Health in the province, premier Job Mokgoro, and his Command Council on Thursday led a screening campaign in Orkney near Klerksdorp.

Last week, Sambatha went to Westvaal Hospital in Orkney for an inspection. He said the hospital has now been earmarked as an overflow facility, should the Klerksdorp Tshepong Hospital, which is the only designated hospital for Covid-19 cases, be overwhelmed.

He adds that this is to ensure health service delivery in the area is not compromised.

"I urge you to stay home, wash hands, maintain social distance and avoid crowded places to prevent further spread” he adds.

Meanwhile, the NICD says the total tests conducted in the country stand at 68 874.

The NICD also says that 18 deaths have so far been reported and the uncollected or unverified numbers of positive cases have drastically declined to 11 from 77 three days ago.

"As the number of positive cases continues to grow, we encourage individuals to take responsibility for preventive measures," it adds.

OFM News