South Africa has confirmed 493 COVID-19 cases and 15 deaths related to the virus in the past 24 hours.

According to the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), this means the country is now home to 3 998 466 laboratory-confirmed infections and a death toll of 101 895 since the outbreak.

Data shows that Gauteng remains the hardest-hit province after 192 cases were detected in the province, of which 34 are believed to be possible reinfections.

In addition, the Western Cape accounted for 92 infections, 69 in KwaZulu-Natal and 57 in Eastern Cape, while the rest of the provinces logged less than 30 cases each.

“There has been an increase of 16 hospital admissions in the past 24 hours,” the NICD said, adding that 1 123 patients are currently receiving treatment for COVID-19 in hospitals across the country.

The information is based on the 25 839 392 tests conducted in both public and private sectors.

Meanwhile, according to the Department of Health, South Africa has administered 36 979 793 COVID-19 vaccines, of which 15 007 were given on Tuesday.

In addition, the latest data shows that 20 185 400 adults are jabbed, of which 18 398 905 are fully vaccinated.

The department said 2 614 483 shots were administered to children aged between 12 and 17.

Globally, as of 12 July 2022, there have been 554 290 112 confirmed cases of COVID-19, including 6 351 801 deaths, reported to the World Health Organisation.

Source: South African Government News Agency