Case data for provinces has Western Cape with the highest infection rate at 34,819, followed by the Eastern Cape with 6,760, Gauteng with 6,546 and KwaZulu-Natal with 3,255.

North West has 604 confirmed cases, Free State 391, Limpopo (253), Mpumalanga (184) and Northern Cape, 122, with 57 unknown.

A total of 968,070 tests were conducted cumulatively, of which 25,012 were conducted since the last report, Mkhize said.

"Regrettably, we report a further 82 Covid-19 related deaths: 61 from Western Cape, 11 from the Eastern Cape, and 10 from Gauteng Province," the minister said. 

"This brings the total national deaths to 1,162 with a mortality rate of 2,2 percent.  We extend our condolences to the loved ones of the departed and thank the healthcare workers who treated the deceased," he said.

The Western Cape has the highest number of deaths at 890 followed by the Eastern Cape with 138, KZN with 62 and Gauteng with 57. 

"The recoveries to date  are 29,006 - this translates to a recovery rate of 54,8 percent," Mkhize said. This is a slight increase from the previous report, which was just over 52 percent.

Age distribution of deaths is largely the same with 60 to 69 still the highest (320), then 50 to 59 years (277) followed by 70 to 79 years (218) and 40 to 49 years (136).

Gender distribution deaths also remain the same with 52.2 percent of deaths being males and women's at 47.8 percent.

African News Agency