KNYSNA | PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS – The number of Covid-19 cases has risen sharply in Bitou this past week, despite a decrease in the number of new cases seen in Knysna.

As at Tuesday 18 May, Knysna had recorded a total of 4 848 cases of Covid-19, of which 4 670 have recovered, 157 have died, and 21 are active cases.

This indicates six new cases in the eight days between 10 and 18 May, half of which was recorded between 4 and 10 May. This means that the number of new cases has halved in the past week, while the deaths now stand on 157.

The active cases have dropped by one, and the recovery rate is now 96,33% with the mortality rate still on 3,2%.

In Bitou matters are very different. As at Tuesday, 2 796 Covid-19 cases had been recorded, with 2 661 having recovered, 100 having died, and 35 being active cases.

This shows a total of 24 new cases recorded between 10 and 18 May, a massive departure from the seven new cases recorded between 4 and 10 May.

This is the highest number of new cases in Bitou since 10 February and the highest number of active cases since 3 February.

It is also the first time since 10 March that Bitou has recorded a new death, with the tally going up by one from last week.

The recovery rate is meanwhile now on 95,17% with the mortality rate on 3,6%.

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