Health Minister Zwelini Mkhize said in a televised address that infections stood at over 828,000 cases with deaths at more than 22,500, the most on the continent.
Daily cases peaked at around 15,000 in July.
“The increases are shown in about six of the provinces and that is why it is important for us to now recognise this is a second wave,” said Mkhize during a televised address.
South Africa is experiencing a resurgence of new cases in the Western Cape and Eastern Cape. President Cyril Ramaphosa last week tightened rules in the Eastern Cape province, but stopped short of a wider crackdown.
Mkhize also expressed concern that in the last two days the age distribution of new cases has peaked in those who are between 15 to 19 year of age.
School students who attended a series of end-of-year parties were urged on Sunday to enter 10 days of quarantine after identifying four such parties as “super-spreader events”. (Reporting by Tanisha Heiberg; editing by Barbara Lewis)
Become an Insider
Some people are observant with mask wearing, distancing and handwashing but there are those who walk around apparently without care. E all see it. It made me wonder if the world should not just be allowed to self determine their level of risk and in time, those with strict adherence to health and safety protocols will be even more careful while the wild ones gad about, the virus can then die off naturally. It seems that state control of beaches, open spaces and the economy in order to control a sector who in essence cannot be controlled, give a false sense of safety add add risk to everyone.