Lerato Mailoane
The number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in Gauteng is 1,720 while 61% of those who tested positive since March 5 have recovered, mortality is at 0.8% and the active cases is at 38%.
Gauteng Premier, David Makhura said the provincial government implores the use of dashboard which has marked an increase with those who recover from COVID-19 in the province.
The province has a total of 24 new cases which is a steady increase, the total number of those who have died is 15 so far with 1 036 recoveries. Approximately 33% of people tested nationally are from Gauteng.
Premier Makhura announced these figures during the Gauteng Provincial Command Council weekly update on COVID-19 on Thursday.
"Slowing down the infection flattens the curve. A lower mortality rate, higher recovery rate and fewer active cases are what Gauteng has achieved during the lockdown.
"There are 70 patients currently admitted in hospitals. Eight patients are in ICU, eight in private and none in the public sector. 
"Our clinicians emphasise that early interventions are very important that is ventilation, oxygenation, fluid supportive treatment, prone position and blood thinning could be the reason behind fewer complications and low mortality," Makhura said.
He further noted that when looking at resourcing and infrastructure, in the future the provincial government would look at providing these interventions including increasing additional beds.
In terms of hospital capacity, Makhura said in addition to the 8,301 existing beds in both the public and private sectors. A total 1,600 beds have been added in different hospitals so far. The Tshwane District hospital, Bertha Gxowa hospital has been cleared to be a full-on Covid-19 hospital, he added.
Makhura said the local government would focus on testing and screening, particularly in sectors such as retail where a lot of people gather to shop, and in highly congested settlements.
"It's difficult to achieve social distancing in high-density settlements. There's a relationship between social vulnerability and achieving social distancing. Hence our testing is targeted.
"As we go into winter we are very alert. We are not out of the woods, we can't be complacent," he said.
On food relief, Makhura said that since the lockdown, 82,727 households have been provided with food relief, supporting a total of 413,635 people.
"The demand for food far outstrips our capacity to meet the need. We continue to call for more support from business, foundations and civil society initiatives on food relief. However, such initiatives must be co-ordinated with government and the distribution should avoid breaching social distancing regulations," Makhura said. 
In addition, the provincial government is currently piloting e-Voucher for food relief so that there is dignity and choice on the part of the beneficiaries.