South Africa has recorded 2 548 new coronavirus infections in the last 24-hour cycle, taking the total number to 1 456 309.
The country has also recorded 235 new COVID-19 related fatalities on Monday.
In a statement, Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize says most of the new deaths were recorded in the Western Cape.
“Regrettably, we report 235 more COVID-19 related deaths: 59 from Eastern Cape, 16 from the Free State, 51 from Gauteng, 10 from KwaZulu-Natal, 33 from North West, 2 from the Northern Cape and 64 from the Western Cape,” says Dr Mkhize. This brings the total number of deaths to 44 399.
Recoveries currently stand at 1 306 022.
The cumulative number of tests conducted to date is 8 300 749.
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As of today, the total number of confirmed #COVID19 cases is 1 456 309, the total number of deaths is 44 399 and the total number of recoveries is 1 306 022. pic.twitter.com/7cnVtg23Kd
— Dr Zweli Mkhize (@DrZweliMkhize) February 1, 2021
Earlier, Health Minister Dr. Zweli Mkhize sought to allay fears of some South Africans who said they would refuse a COVID-19 vaccine.
Mkhize says there’s absolutely no reason for people to be concerned over possible side effects after receiving the COVID-19 jab.
This as the country has received the first consignment of the vaccines.
The first batch of one million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine landed at OR Tambo International Airport Monday afternoon:
![[File Image]: A nurse at one of South Africa's hospital during the height of the coronavirus pandemic.](https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/HOSPITAL.jpg)
