Western Cape, with 33,568, still has 66 percent of the total number of cases. Eastern Cape with 6,341 has the second highest infection rate, followed by Gauteng, with 6,258, KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) with 3,175, North West with 580 and Free State with 373. Limpopo has 244 confirmed cases, Mpumalanga, 183 and Northern Cape has 118 confirmed cases.

Testing data shows 22,983 new tests since the last report, which brings the total number of tests conducted nationally to 943 059 - the private sector has conducted 48 perect of the tests and the public sector, 52 percent.

"Regrettably, we report a further 82 Covid-19 related deaths - 55 from the Western Cape, 26 from the Eastern Cape and one from KZN.

"This brings the total national deaths to 1,080 with a mortality rate of 2,1%," the health minister said.

"We extend our condolences to the loved ones of the departed and thank the health care workers who treated the deceased."

He also said that to date there had been 26,099, which" translates to a recovery rate of 51,3%". 

The Western Cape remains the province with the highest number of deaths at 829, with 19,101, followed by the Eastern Cape with 127 deaths and 2,666 recoveries. 

The most deaths are still in age group 60-69 (299) followed by 50 to 59 (261), then 70 to 79 (201), and then the 40- to 49-year-old age group with 126 deaths.

More men (52.5 percent) have succumbed to Covid-19 than women, with 47.5 percent, the minister said.

African News Agency