The number of COVID-19 fatalities in South Africa is approaching the 90,000 mark even as the government seeks to ramp up vaccinations.

According to the latest figures published on Friday by the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), a division of the National Health Laboratory Service, the country recorded 44 new virus-related fatalities, taking the country's death toll to 89,295.

In the same period, 339 new COVID-19 new infections were registered from a sample size of 30,229 tests conducted in the last 24 hours. This brings the country's virus-load to 2,923,393.

The country is currently undertaking a vaccination drive in efforts to contain further spread of the virus. So far, some 22,965,123 doses have been administered.

South Africa's government has introduced incentives to entice more people to turn up for vaccination.

The health ministry announced R100 grocery vouchers for any persons over 60 years old who take their vaccination.

The ministry has also partnered with cab-hailing company, Uber, to cover two trips of up to R100 to persons heading to select vaccination sites across the country.

(1 USD = 15.09 South African Rand)