South Africa's health minister has said he will not recommend a relaxation of Covid-19 lockdown measures despite a downward trend in infections, reports Reuters.

He said the country of 60 million had fully vaccinated only around four million people as a wave of infections driven by the more infectious Delta variant strains over-burdened hospitals and health workers.

"Our situation, therefore, remains precarious ... We will be recommending remaining at Level 3,” Joe Phaahla told a media briefing before putting his proposals to the cabinet.

In a bid to stimulate the economy, President Cyril Ramaphosa last month eased restrictions to an adjusted "Level 3" in a five-level system, as infections declined.