The Gauteng department of health released the shocking new statistics earlier this afternoon.

According to these new figures, there has been an increase of 116 new cases of residents of the Merafong City local municipal area testing positive for the new coronavirus over the past day. This brings the total number of residents infected with the disease to 4 231 cases. Of these 3 774 patients have already recovered from the disease.

Two residents from our municipal area died of Covid-19 during the past day, bringing the total deaths from Merafong to 103.

This is the highest ever increase in Merafong’s new coronavirus cases in one day.

The previous record for the highest number of new cases reported in one day was on 26 May last year, when there were 97 new cases reported.

Investigations then showed that the huge increase in new cases was among workers at AngloGold Ashanti-s Mponeng mine. There is, however, still no indication what might have led to the past day’s huge increase in new cases.

During the past day, 56 new cases were reported in Mogale City (the Krugersdorp area) and 46 new cases were reported in Rand West City (the Randfontein and Westonaria area).