As of 06 April 2020, the National Institute for Communicable Diseases, a division of the National Health Laboratory Service, confirms 58 098 tests have been conducted in both public and private sectors and 31 new cases have tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, the causative pathogen of COVID-19. This brings the total number of COVID-19 cases in South Africa to 1 686. The provincial breakdown of COVID-19 is as follows:
| Province | Total as of 04/04/2020 | New cases for 05/04/2020 | Total as of 05/04/2020 | New cases for 06/04/2020 | Total as of 06/04/2020 |
| Eastern Cape | 25 | 6 | 31 | 1 | 32 |
| Free State | 85 | 2 | 87 | 2 | 89 |
| Gauteng | 693 | 11 | 704 | 9 | 713 |
| KwaZulu-Natal | 232 | 14 | 246 | 11 | 257 |
| Limpopo | 18 | 1 | 19 | 0 | 19 |
| Mpumalanga | 18 | 0 | 18 | 0 | 18 |
| North West | 11 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 11 |
| Northern Cape | 7 | 1 | 8 | 0 | 8 |
| Western Cape | 433 | 21 | 454 | 8 | 462 |
| Unknown | 63 | 14 | 77 | 0 | 77 |
| Grand Total | 1585 | 70 | 1655 | 31 | 1 686 |
For most people, COVID-19 infections will cause mild illness, however, it can make some people very ill and for some people, it can be fatal. We are saddened to report 12 number of deaths to date. We send our deepest condolences to the families and friends of those who have lost their lives due to COVID-19.
As the number of positive cases continues to grow, we urge the public to take the risk of COVID-19 infections seriously. If you develop a fever, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, muscle aches or other flu-like symptoms from 2 to 14 days after close contact with a person with COVID-19, you should immediately contact your healthcare provider. If you become ill, you should cover your mouth and nose, use a disposable tissue to sneeze or cough or into your flexed elbow. Dispose of tissues into a bid and immediately wash your hands. Wash your hands regularly using soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use alcohol-based hand sanitizers (containing at least 60% alcohol).
