South Africa has recorded 145 more Covid-19-related deaths since Monday, bringing the death toll to 17 248.

The fatalities have been reported in the following provinces: one in the Eastern Cape, 11 in the Free State, 42 in KwaZulu-Natal, 41 in Gauteng, 24 in Limpopo, 11 in Mpumalanga, seven in the Northern Cape and eight in the Western Cape."We extend our condolences to the loved ones of the departed and thank the healthcare workers that treated the deceased patients," Health Minister Zweli Mkhize said on Wednesday evening.

A cumulative total of 685 155 confirmed Covid-19 cases have been recorded in South Africa, with 618 127 recoveries, which translates to a recovery rate of 90%.

The total number of tests conducted to date is 4 318 514, with 23 583 new tests conducted since the last report.

Globally, the recovery rate is almost 70%. At the time of publication, just more than 36 million people worldwide contracted the virus, leading to 1 054 609 deaths.

South Africa has dropped one place to eleventh in the world in terms of recorded cases, behind the US, India, Brazil, Russia, Colombia, Argentina, Spain, Peru, Mexico and France.

The US has recorded more than 7.5-million positive cases and a death toll of almost 212 000.