South Africa recorded 2 327 new Covid-19 infections by Thursday, 18 February, along with 230 new Covid-19-related deaths.

The number of healthcare workers who were vaccinated against Covid-19 under the Sisonke protocol was 2 260 as of 18:00 on Thursday.

According to a statement by Health Minister Zweli Mkhize, as of Thursday, the country recorded a total of 1 498 766 confirmed Covid-19 cases.

Gauteng remains the most affected province with 26.7% of the total confirmed cases, which translates to 400 636 cases.

KwaZulu-Natal has recorded 326 031 confirmed cases to date, the Western Cape has recorded 257 433 cases and the Eastern Cape 193 549 cases.

KwaZulu-Natal recorded the most confirmed active cases with 16 105, followed by the Western Cape's 7 372 and the Free State with 7 045

The recovery rate is 93.6%, with 1 403 214 recoveries recorded.

To date, 8 807 299 tests have been completed, with 34 556 tests conducted in the past 24 hours, Mkhize said.

Mkhize also reported a further 230 Covid-19-related deaths, of which 24 were recorded in the Eastern Cape, seven in the Free State, 21 in Gauteng, 27 in KwaZulu-Natal, 122 in Limpopo, 10 in Mpumalanga, and 19 in the Western Cape.

This brings the total deaths to 48 708.

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