Virus cases pass 10,000 in South Africa, deaths up to 194

South Africa confirmed 10,015 coronavirus cases after the country registered 595 new contagions on Sunday.

In a statement, Health Minister Zweli Mkhize said eight people succumbed to COVID-19 on Sunday, bringing the death toll in the country to 194.

“We wish to express our condolences to the loved ones of the deceased and thank the healthcare workers who treated these patients,” Mkhize said.

Despite increasing numbers of daily infections, the minister said they were encouraged by the number of recoveries which stood at 4,173 as of May 9.

On Saturday, South Africa registered 525 new cases of the coronavirus and eight new deaths.

Mkhize said as many as 341,336 tests have been conducted since the beginning of the outbreak in the country.

The government might consider tighter restrictions in coronavirus hotspots such as Cape Town and Johannesburg which have the highest cases of infections in the country, he added.

More than 4.1 million cases have been reported in 187 countries and regions since the virus emerged in China last December. The US and Europe are the world's hardest-hit areas.

A significant number of COVID-19 patients – more than 1.4 million -- have recovered, but the disease has also claimed 283,000 lives so far, according to data compiled by the US’ Johns Hopkins University.