S. Africa reports surge of COVID-19 cases after restrictions eased

South Africa reported on Sunday a sharp surge in the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases, two days after the easing of restrictions following a five-week lockdown.

The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in South Africa stood at 6,783, an increase of 447 from Saturday, the country's health minister Zweli Mkhize said in a statement.

This was the highest surge in the 24-hour cycle since March 5, when the country recorded its first case.

"Regrettably, we report a further eight COVID-19 related deaths: two from the Western Cape, four from the Eastern Cape and two from Gauteng," Mkhize said.

This brought the total deaths to 131, he said.

Western Cape remains the epicenter of the pandemic in the country with 3,044 cases, followed by Gauteng with 1,624 and KwaZulu-Natal with 1,076.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)