page_title: COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa
section_title: Regional
hierarchical_section_title: COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa / Statistics / Regional
context_page_description: The COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa is part of the ongoing pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. On 5 March 2020, Minister of Health Zweli Mkhize confirmed the spread of the virus to South Africa, with the first known patient being a male citizen who tested positive upon his return from Italy. The first two deaths to have occurred from the disease were reported on 27 March 2020. As of August 2020, South Africa has the highest number of COVID-19 cases in Africa and the sixth highest number of confirmed infections worldwide.
  On 15 March, the President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa, declared a national state of disaster, and announced measures such as immediate travel restrictions and the closure of schools from 18 March. On 17 March, the National Coronavirus Command Council was established, "to lead the nation's plan to contain the spread and mitigate the negative impact of the coronavirus". On 23 March, a national lockdown was announced, starting on 26 March 2020. On 21 April, a 500 billion rand stimulus was announced in response to the pandemic.
caption: Number of active COVID-19 cases in South African provinces