S. Africa reports highest single-day increase in COVID-19 cases

CAPE TOWN - South Africa on Saturday reported 385 new COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours, the highest daily surge since the country recorded its first case in early March.

The newly-added cases brought the total number of the infection to 6,336, Health Minister Zweli Mkhize said in a statement.

The Western Cape province leads with 2,700 confirmed cases, followed by Gauteng province with 1,598 and KwaZulu-Natal province with 1,051.

"Regrettably, we are saddened to report a further seven COVID-19 related deaths from the Western Cape and Free State," he said.

The country has reported 123 virus-related deaths by Saturday, said the minister.

"We have also begun to study the deaths to elucidate patterns and areas of high risk," he said.

The median age of the deaths related to the novel coronavirus was 64, Mkhize said, adding that most of the deceased also suffered from chronic diseases, such as hypertension, diabetes and cardiac disease.

He urged elderly South Africans over 63 years of age and those with existing diseases to take extra precaution.

"I would also like to urge all South Africans to continue to stay at home as far as possible, only venturing out to perform essential tasks as we move through the stages of the gradual lifting of lockdown," he said.