Media Statement
As of today the cumulative number of COVID-19 cases identified in South Africa is 1 615 485.
| Province | Total cases for 17 May 2021 | Percentage total |
| Eastern Cape | 196610 | 12,2 |
| Free State | 94960 | 5,9 |
| Gauteng | 435321 | 26,9 |
| KwaZulu-Natal | 338090 | 20,9 |
| Limpopo | 64462 | 4,0 |
| Mpumalanga | 80034 | 5,0 |
| North West | 71195 | 4,4 |
| Northern Cape | 44943 | 2,8 |
| Western Cape | 289870 | 17,9 |
| Unknown | 0 | 0,0 |
| Total | 1615485 | 100,0 |
Testing Data
The number of tests conducted to date is 11 134 553. Of these 19 505 tests were conducted since the last report
| Sector | Total tested | New tested | ||
| PRIVATE | 6 258 686 | 56% | 11 450 | 59% |
| PUBLIC | 4 875 867 | 44% | 8 055 | 41% |
| Total | 11 134 553 | 19 505 |
Deaths and Recoveries
Today, 50 COVID-19 related deaths have been reported: Eastern Cape 4, Free State 30, Gauteng 6, Kwa-Zulu Natal 0, Limpopo 0, Mpumalanga 0, North West 0, Northern Cape 8 and Western Cape 2 which brings the total to 55 260 deaths.We convey our condolences to the loved ones of the departed and thank the health care workers who treated the deceased patients.
The cumulative recoveries now stand at 1 526 638 representing a recovery rate of 94,5%.
| Province | Total Deaths | Total Recoveries | Active Cases |
| Eastern Cape | 11619 | 184 660 | 331 |
| Free State | 4048 | 85 101 | 5 811 |
| Gauteng | 10881 | 416 761 | 7 679 |
| KwaZulu-Natal | 10459 | 322 907 | 4 724 |
| Limpopo | 2336 | 61 766 | 360 |
| Mpumalanga | 1421 | 77 557 | 1 056 |
| North West | 1798 | 64 489 | 4 908 |
| Northern Cape | 987 | 37 797 | 6 159 |
| Western Cape | 11711 | 275 600 | 2 559 |
| Total | 55 260 | 1 526 638 | 33 587 |
Vaccination Rollout:
Phase two vaccination rollout proceeded reasonably well today, notwithstanding some challenges experienced in the respective provinces, of which load-shedding and violent protests in the Free State were the most impactful.
Although most of the sites were able to proceed, a large number of vaccinations were captured on paper and the numbers are still being reconciliated. In addition the numbers vaccinated at old age homes still need to be captured. We will therefore al- low for this reconciliation over the course of the next 24 hours and will announce the numbers vaccinated in phase two as from tomorrow. In due course we will launch a public facing dashboard that will publish the numbers near real time.
A number of sector leaders aged 60 years and above came forward to be vaccinated publicly. We express our heartfelt gratitude for their patriotism and leadership as we know that this will assist us to build confidence in the vaccines and in the vaccination process.
We continue to encourage health care workers, including traditional healers, and citi- zens 60 years and above to register and attend when they have been invited.
Dr. Zwelini Mkhize
Minister of Health
