Mkhize says more focus will be placed on screening and testing in hotspots.

He was responding to criticism on government's testing strategy.

Currently, over one-million COVID-19 tests have been conducted in the country.

"Mass screening was done and then when the president announced a differentiated approach, that meant we are shifting the approach in terms of who we are focusing on," Mkhize said.

"Major resources go to the areas where there is more positivity which we call hotspots."

Meanwhile, South Africa's coronavirus cases have surged, moving past 70,000.

There has been a further 57 COVID-19 related deaths - 42 from Western Cape, 10 from the Eastern Cape, and 5 from KwaZulu-Natal.

This brings the total national deaths to 1,480.

The Western Cape remains the epicentre.

eNCA