Covid-19: South Africa records 14 312 new confirmed cases and 289 deaths

• South Africa recorded 14 312 new confirmed cases of Covid-19.
• KwaZulu-Natal recorded the majority of cases, with 4 198 new infections.
• South Africa recorded a further 289 Covid-19 related deaths on Friday.

South Africa recorded 14 312 new confirmed cases of Covid-19, taking the total to 2 666 964 cases on Friday.

According to a statement by the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), KwaZulu-Natal recorded the majority of the cases, with 4 198, followed by the Western Cape 3 828, the Eastern Cape 1 694 and Gauteng 1 468 cases.

"The majority of new cases today are from KwaZulu-Natal 29%, followed by Western Cape 27%. Eastern Cape accounted for 12%, Gauteng accounted for 10%, Free State and Mpumalanga accounted for 6% each, Northern Cape accounted for 4%, North West accounted for 3%, and Limpopo accounted for 2% of today's new cases," the NICD said. 

South Africa recorded a further 289 Covid-19 related deaths on Friday, bringing total fatalities to 78 983.

WATCH | Gauteng youngsters come out in numbers for their Covid-19 jabs

Vaccination opened for everyone aged 18 and older on Friday.

News24 previously reported that, during a briefing on Friday morning, Health Minister Joe Phaahla said opening the vaccination sites to adults over 18 would reduce red tape in the vaccination programme, streamline workplace vaccinations, and bring the government closer to its target of vaccinating 70% of the adult population.

To date, South Africa has administered 10 431 124 vaccines, while 15 887 454 Covid-19 tests have been conducted.

The country's recovery rate is reported at 90,7%. 

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