Skip to content Skip to left sidebar Skip to footer

23 August 2020 Update on the Coronavirus

23 August 2020

As of 1pm on 23 August, the Western Cape has 5203 active cases of COVID-19, with a total of 102 585 confirmed cases and 93 656 recoveries.

Total confirmed COVID-19 cases 102 585
Total recoveries 93 656
Total deaths 3726
Total active cases (currently infected patients) 5203
Tests conducted 469 498
Hospitalisations 1032 with 207 in ICU or high care

Cape Metro Sub-districts:
Western 8971 cases; 8270 recoveries
Southern 9249 cases; 8417 recoveries
Northern 6379 cases; 5948 recoveries
Tygerberg 12897 cases; 11960 recoveries
Eastern 9736 cases; 8943 recoveries
Klipfontein 8888 cases; 8086 recoveries
Mitchells Plain 8250 cases; 7636 recoveries
Khayelitsha 8096 cases; 7565 recoveries
Total 72466 cases; 66825 recoveries

Sub-districts:
Garden Route Bitou 554 cases; 488 recoveries
Garden Route Knysna 1325 cases; 1164 recoveries
Garden Route George 3224 cases; 2850 recoveries
Garden Route Hessequa 268 cases; 208 recoveries
Garden Route Kannaland 99 cases; 72 recoveries
Garden Route Mossel Bay 2041 cases; 1735 recoveries
Garden Route Oudsthoorn 1047 cases; 711 recoveries
Cape Winelands Stellenbosch 1972 cases;1830 recoveries
Cape Winelands Drakenstein 4162 cases; 3816 recoveries
Cape Winelands Breede Valley 3206 cases; 2919 recoveries
Cape Winelands Langeberg 1104 cases; 999 recoveries
Cape Winelands Witzenberg 1485 cases; 1320 recoveries
Overberg Overstrand 1492 cases; 1431 recoveries
Overberg Cape Agulhas 256 cases; 226 recoveries
Overberg Swellendam 267 cases; 242 recoveries
Overberg Theewaterskloof 1126 cases; 1040 recoveries
West Coast Bergrivier 398 cases; 358 recoveries
West Coast Cederberg 154 cases; 137 recoveries
West Coast Matzikama 317 cases; 252 recoveries
West Coast Saldanha Bay Municipality 1316 cases; 1208 recoveries
West Coast Swartland 1442 cases; 1291 recoveries
Central Karoo Beaufort West 467 cases; 337 recoveries
Central Karoo Laingsburg 122 cases; 65 recoveries
Central Karoo Prince Albert 15 cases; 10 recoveries

Unallocated: 2260 (2122 recovered)

Data note: It is not always possible to check and verify that the address data supplied for each new recorded case is correct, within the time frames required to provide regular and timely updates. This means that in some instances, cases could be allocated to the wrong sub-districts. We are working with the sub-districts to clean and verify the data and where errors are picked up locally, cases will be re-allocated to the correct areas.

More data is available here: https://coronavirus.westerncape.gov.za/covid-19-dashboard

*Due to the unavailability of data yesterday- the deaths being reported today are for a 48 hour period.

Over the past 48 hours, the Western Cape has recorded an additional 18 deaths, bringing the total number of COVID-19 related deaths in the province to 3726. We send our condolences to their family and friends at this time.

✅Hospitalisations and deaths continue to show a decline in the Western Cape:
I am pleased to note that hospitalisations in the province continue to show a decline. The total number hospitalised for COVID-19 is now below the 1100 mark, while our ICU admissions are very close to the 200 mark. Another positive sign is that the number of deaths recorded in the province continues to track downwards- with just 18 deaths recorded over a two day period. While every death we record is still one too many, it is heartening to see the numbers showing a steady decline.

The Western Cape Department of Health has been working hard to ensure that the data we present to the public is as accurate as possible. As part of this process, we have been working closely with the NHLS, and from time to time, we will adjust data as new information comes to light. Today, we have removed some duplicated cases which were incorrectly added into the system last week, resulting in the number of new cases recorded since Friday appearing lower than usual.

Despite this adjustment, all of our reliable indicators, such as our hospital and death data, continue to indicate that we are continuing to make progress in slowing the spread of COVID-19 in the province.

For this, I would like to thank every single resident who has played their part in helping to slow the spread. Each time you leave home with your mask on, keep your distance from others and wash or sanitize your hands, you are helping to reduce the number of new infections and save lives.

This weekend was the first weekend under the new alert level 2 restrictions and as more of our businesses start to open up, as people start to move around more, see their families and interact with others more, it remains important that we all continue to take precautions to protect ourselves, our loved ones and those who are most vulnerable to becoming seriously ill with COVID-19.

If we all continue to act responsibly, we can ensure that businesses can continue trading safely, and that we are able to save important jobs. Many people have been severely impacted by the hard lockdown and our focus must now be on addressing unemployment, hunger and poverty while reducing the numbers of new COVID-19 infections in our province.