Health Minister Zweli Mkhize on Tuesday has announced 521 318 confirmed Covid-19 cases have been recorded  in South Africa, with 345 new deaths reported, bring the total death toll from the coronavirus disease to 8 884.

Gauteng has recorded the highest number of infections with 183 090 (35.1 percent of the total), followed by Western Cape with 97 261 cases (18.7 percent of the total number of infections), KwaZulu-Natal has 85 986 Covid-19 cases (16.5 percent) and Eastern Cape has 79 844 cases (15.3 percent).

The figures for other provinces are: Free State 24 333 (4.7 percent); Limpopo 9 389 (1.8 percent); Mpumalanga 15 716 (3 percent); North West 20 270 (3.9 percent); and Northern Cape 5 379 (1 percent).

The total number of tests conducted to date is 3 078 202 with 19 507 new tests conducted since the last report, the statement said. The private sector has conducted 1 740 867 (57 percent) and the public sector, 1 337 335 (43 percent).

"Regrettably we report 345 new Covid-19 related deaths: 43 from Eastern Cape, 116 from Gauteng, 89 from KwaZulu Natal and 97 from Western Cape. This brings the cumulative number of deaths to 8 884.

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

"The number of recoveries currently stands at 363 751 which translates to a recovery rate of 69.8 percent," the statement said.

The provincial breakdown is as follows: Eastern Cape 1 832 deaths with 71 420 recoveries; Free State 205 deaths with 10 582 recoveries; Gauteng 2 268 deaths with 126 784 recoveries; KwaZulu-Natal 976 deaths with 44 664 recoveries; Limpopo 90 deaths with 5 524 recoveries; Mpumalanga 123 deaths with 10 736 recoveries; North West 109 deaths with 9 206 recoveries; Northern Cape 36 deaths with 2 388 recoveries; Western Cape 3 245 deaths with 82 447 recoveries.