South Africa has recorded 712 new Covid-19-related deaths, bringing the latest death toll to 35 852.

According to a statement by Health Minister Zweli Mkhize, as of Thursday, the country recorded 1 296 806 confirmed cases, which means that there was a single-day increase of 18 503 cases.

Of the total deaths recorded on Thursday, 232 were from KwaZulu-Natal, 162 from the Western Cape, 114 from Gauteng, 97 from the Eastern Cape, 50 from the North West, 21 from the Free State, 11 from Limpopo, 15 from the Northern Cape and 10 from Mpumalanga.

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

Gauteng remains the worst-hit province with 27.1% of the total confirmed cases, translating to 350 976 infections. It is followed by KwaZulu-Natal, which has recorded 269 632 cases and the Western Cape with 251 107 cases. The Eastern Cape has recorded 184 611 cases.

KwaZulu-Natal remains the province with the most active confirmed cases, tallying 67 583, followed by Gauteng with 49 162 and the Western Cape with 40 933.

The country recorded 1 049 740 recoveries (a recovery rate of 80.9%) as of Thursday.

Gauteng has a recorded 295 094 recoveries, and there were 201 370 in the Western Cape and 196 085 in KwaZulu-Natal.

A cumulative total of 7 433 571 tests have been conducted in the country.