South Africa's Covid-19 infections have increased by 4 215, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 2 873 415 on Thursday.

This, according to a statement from the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD).

The increase represents a 9.3% positivity rate.

"The majority of new cases today are from Western Cape [21%], followed by the Eastern Cape [20%]. KwaZulu-Natal accounted for 19%; the Free State accounted for 12%; Gauteng province accounted for 10%; the Northern Cape accounted for 7%; the North West accounted for 6%; Mpumalanga accounted for 4%; and Limpopo accounted for 1% of today's (Thursday's) new cases," the NICD said.

The Western Cape led the pack with 905 cases, followed by the Eastern Cape with 850 and KZN with 806.

"As per the national Department of Health, a further 311 Covid-19-related deaths have been reported, bringing the total fatalities to 85 779 to date."

In the past 24 hours, there has been an increase of 275 hospital admissions.

The department said the cumulative number of recoveries now stood at 2 706 293 – a recovery rate of 94.2%.

The country has conducted 17 236 691 tests in the public and private sectors.

To date, 15 683 797 vaccines have been administered.

On Friday, Health Minister Joe Phaahla will visit vaccination sites in the Free State to monitor the province's Covid-19 vaccine rollout programme.