This report summarises national laboratory testing for SARS-CoV-2, the virus causing COVID-19, in South Africa. This report is based on data collected up to 18 September (week 37 of 2021). 

Key highlights:

• The number of tests reported in week 37 of 2021 (n=238,423) was the lowest weekly number of tests reported since May 2021.
• In week 37 the testing rate decreased in all provinces, and was highest in the Northern Cape (682 per 100,000 persons) and lowest in Limpopo (78 per 100,000 persons). 
• In week 37 compared to the previous week, the percentage testing positive decreased in all provinces.
• The percentage testing positive in week 37 was highest in the Northern Cape (22.3%) Province. The percentage testing positive was between 10% and 15% in the Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Free State and North West provinces, and was less than 10% in KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, Mpumalanga and Limpopo provinces.

COVID-19 TESTING SUMMARY WEEK 37 (2021)