CAPE TOWN, March 21 (Xinhua) -- South Africa on Saturday reported 38 new coronavirus cases, bringing the tally to 240.
"As of today, South Africa now has 240 confirmed cases of novel coronavirus (COVID-19), which is an increase of 38 from yesterday's announcement," the statement said.
Of the 38 cases, 18 are in Western Cape Province, 16 in Gauteng, three in KwaZulu-Natal and one in Eastern Cape.
"It is also notable that the Eastern Cape has its first confirmed case. This patient is a 28-year-old female who had travelled to Germany," the ministry said.
Of the country's nine provinces, seven provinces have so far reported coronavirus cases, with Gauteng having the highest number, to be followed by Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal.
The only provinces with no confirmed cases are the Northern Cape and North West.
In a related development, the first two patients, a couple, reportedly have fully recovered and will be discharged from hospital in KwaZulu-Natal.
South Africa has seen the sharpest rise in COVID-19 cases among Sub-Saharan countries. The country reported its first case on March 5.
Most of the patients had travelled to Europe, the United States, Canada or the Middle East.
Health Minister Zweli Mkhize warned on Thursday that the country's health system could be overwhelmed if the spread of the scourge was not contained.
The minister estimated that up to 60 percent to 70 percent of the South African population would contract the coronavirus, but only about 20 percent of those will be serious cases.
According to initial projections by scientists, the death toll in the country could be 87,900 if just 10 percent of the population was infected.
