A healthcare worker prepares to collect samples at a temporary testing centre for the novel coronavirus.

• As of 22 August, South Africa recorded 607 045 confirmed cases of Covid-19.
• 144 new Covid-19 related fatalities were recorded in the past 24 hours, bringing the death toll to 12 987.
• A total of 504 127 recoveries, which translates to a recovery rate of 83%, have been recorded across the country.

As the country spends its first Saturday in Level 2 of the lockdown, 144 new Covid-19 related deaths and 3 707 new confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus have been recorded in the past 24 hours.

According to a statement by Health Minister Zweli Mkhize, the total number of confirmed cases in South Africa was at 607 045 as of 22 August.

The country entered Level 2 of the lockdown on Tuesday as the daily number of confirmed Covid-19 infections and hospitalisations had been declining.

Total confirmed cases by province:

A total of 50 cases were not allocated.

The country had also recorded 504 127 recoveries which translated to a recovery rate of 83%.

Active cases by province:

Of the new recorded Covid-19 related deaths, 46 were reported in Mpumalanga, 37 in Gauteng, 31 in KwaZulu-Natal, 25 in the Eastern Cape, and five new deaths were recorded in the Western Cape.

“This brings the total Covid-19 related cumulative deaths to 12 987,” Mkhize said.

“We convey our condolences to the loved ones of the departed and thank the healthcare workers who treated the deceased.”

Deaths by province: