South Africa recorded 1 757 new confirmed Covid-19 cases as of Monday, along with 50 new confirmed deaths.

The total number of cases recorded as of Monday is 1 615 485.

The Free State accounted for 30 of the 50 new deaths recorded, with KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga and North West not recording any deaths.

According to Health Minister Zweli Mkhize, the cumulative number of confirmed deaths is 55 260.

"We convey our condolences to the loved ones of the departed and thank the healthcare workers who treated the deceased patients," he said.

The number of tests conducted to date is 11 134 553. Of these 19 505 tests were conducted in the 24-hour cycle since the last report.

Meanwhile, the phase 2 vaccine rollout began on Monday for people aged 60 and older.

"Phase two vaccination rollout proceeded reasonably well today (Monday), notwithstanding some challenges experienced in the respective provinces, of which load-shedding and violent protests in the Free State were the most impactful," Mkhize said.

He said many vaccinations were captured on paper, and the numbers were still being reconciled.

Mkhize added that they would allow for this reconciliation over the next 24 hours and announce the numbers vaccinated in phase two as from Tuesday.

The health department said it will launch a public-facing dashboard in due course that will publish the numbers in real-time.

To date, the cumulative number of recoveries is 1 526 638, representing a recovery rate of 94.5%.