Previously 5 Covid-19 patients in the province were confirmed to have lost their lives due to the virus. The Department of Health spokesperson, Tebogo Lekgethwane, says the two new deaths were recorded in the Matlosana Local Municipality in Klerksdorp, which is one of the epicenters for the virus in the province. The infection rate took a dramatic turn when miners who returned from hot spots like the Eastern Cape, Western Cape and Gauteng to work in mining companies across the province tested positive. According to the latest statistics by Health Minister Zweli Mkhize, the province has 3,491 active cases after 433 patients recovered from the virus, and 7 deaths were recorded from the 3,931 reported cases.

MEC Madoda Sambatha recently announced that the department is working with mining houses and the province now has a Mining Task Team to deal with compliance in the mines and curb the spread. The active cases in the province have also surged passed a 3000 mark as more new cases continue to emerge across the province. 

"To date, a total of 2611 contacts were identified of which 2404 contacts have been successfully traced and the untraced contacts are from the new cases." A total of 1281 contacts have completed a 14-day monitoring period and only 90 contacts tested positive," Lekgethwane says.

The surge in the rate of Covid-19 infections continues to affect more of public and private institutions in the province. Among the institutions that have been affected by the virus, are local municipal offices, hospitals and schools in the province.

OFM News on Monday reported that a total of 106 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in various schools across the province since the reopening for Grade 12 and 7 learners about three weeks ago following the national lockdown. Also, 100 patients and 6 staff members at the Witrand Hospital in Potchefstroom tested positive for Covid-19 recently. 

OFM News